Sahara Ray Dies at 34: What We Know About the Model’s Life

Australian model and swimwear designer Sahara Ray has died at the age of 34. Her family confirmed the news, while the cause of her death has not yet been disclosed.

According to TMZ, Ray’s family said, “She passed away last night surrounded by family at the hospital. She was so loved.”

Ray was known for her modelling career and her past association with pop star Justin Bieber. Beyond her modelling career, Ray was known as the daughter of surfing star Tony Ray and had recently welcomed baby Snow in January 2026.

Ray revealed in 2024 that she was battling Guillain-Barré syndrome a rare neurological disorder that affected her ability to walk and left her partially paralysed. The condition reportedly followed a major car accident involving an allegedly intoxicated driver travelling at 80 mph.

In a TikTok video later deleted, according to 7News, Ray described the difficulties she was facing. She said she was paralysed from her upper thighs down to her feet and relied mainly on a wheelchair, along with a walker.

Her final Instagram post, shared on July 19, was dedicated to her daughter, whom she lovingly described as “my whole heart.”

Sahara Ray’s Early Life and Family

Born in Australia, Ray spent much of her childhood in Santa Cruz and winters in Hawaii with her father, she told GQ. Tony Ray was ranked No. 11 in the world in 1992, a year after Sahara was born.

Reflecting on her childhood, she recalled travelling around the world with her father while he competed in Pipe Masters and big-wave surfing competitions.

Ray was living in Los Angeles when she gave birth to Snow, according to her mother, Gretchen Gia Bach. However, she had previously expressed a desire to return to Australia to raise her family.

In a 2016 interview with The Herald Sun, Ray said Australia was where she wanted to settle down and have children. She also described life there as more relaxed, adding that the modelling industry focused more on quality than quantity.

Sahara Ray’s Connection to Justin Bieber

Ray attracted public attention in 2016 after being linked to Justin Bieber. The rumours followed a photograph she shared of the pair vacationing with friends in Hawaii.

Years later, Ray used Bieber’s song Everything Hallelujah in an Instagram post announcing her daughter’s arrival. She captioned the video, which showed her cuddling and introducing her newborn to followers, “Baby snow hallelujah.”

Her journey through motherhood and her openness about her health struggles had offered followers a glimpse into her personal life beyond modelling. Ray’s death leaves behind her young daughter, Snow, and a family mourning the loss of their loved one.