Influencer Rita Ephrem Dies at 31 After Ultra-Rare Illness

Overview

• Rita Ephrem, known as Ritinha, died at age 31 in São Paulo, and her body will be cremated.
• Doctors identified an uncatalogued autoinflammatory disorder along with an immune deficiency that kept her from producing antibodies.
• Her condition led to severe complications over the years, including at least seven strokes, dozens of blood clots, more than 20 intubations and five cardiac arrests.
• She built an audience of more than 300,000 by sharing hospital stays and treatments, and she challenged health insurers when therapies were denied.
• Messages of condolence poured in from Tatá Werneck, Whindersson Nunes, Gustavo Mioto, Thaeme and Sofia Liberato, and she is survived by her mother, Leila.