Despite repeated warnings from family and friends, 39-year-old Zhanna Samsonova continued following an extremely restrictive raw food lifestyle, believing her body could thrive on fruit alone. She often claimed that “death does not exist,” but in 2023 her life ended in a tragedy that drew global attention. Reports state she died from starvation and exhaustion.
Born in Russia and later based in Southeast Asia, Samsonova gained an online following as a raw vegan influencer. She promoted a lifestyle centered on uncooked, plant-based foods. While properly planned vegan diets can offer health benefits, her approach became increasingly extreme over time.
According to reports, she eventually eliminated not only cooked foods but also water intake. It was claimed she practiced prolonged “dry fasting,” relying only on fruit and vegetable juices for hydration over several years.
Friends described her diet as extremely limited, saying she consumed mostly durian and jackfruit for years. They expressed concern that her condition was visibly deteriorating, but she reportedly refused all advice to change her habits.
In one of her final social media posts in July 2023, she wrote: “Life is meaningless, but worth living, provided you recognize it’s meaningless.” It would become her last public message.
On July 21, 2023, Samsonova died in Malaysia. Her mother, Vera, said she had tried for years to convince her daughter to seek medical help and change her lifestyle, but her efforts were unsuccessful.
“I fought for many years, but she didn’t listen to me. She chose this path,” her mother told Russian media.
Close friends also reported that her health had severely declined in the years leading up to her death. They described her as extremely thin and physically weakened, with visible signs of malnutrition. Some said they attempted to persuade her to undergo medical tests and reconsider her diet, but she remained unconvinced.
One friend said she had watched Samsonova slowly deteriorate over seven years, noting that she held firm to her belief system and rejected opposing views about her health.
After news of her passing became public, reactions online were mixed. Some users pointed to her story as a warning about extreme dieting, while others criticized her personal choices.
Her mother later asked the public to show compassion and stop harsh comments, saying the situation was already deeply painful for the family.
“This is hurting me a lot. She is already gone,” she said.
Samsonova’s story is now widely viewed as a cautionary example of how restrictive diets, when taken to extremes and followed without medical supervision, can lead to severe health consequences. Experts continue to stress the importance of balanced nutrition and professional guidance when making significant dietary changes.