New Delhi: Brazilian beauty pageant winner Gleycy Correia has died after spending 77 days in a coma following a routine tonsil surgery at a hospital in the city of Macaé.
The 27-year-old model and influencer with over 57.5k Instagram followers suffered a haemorrhage and heavy bleeding five days after her surgery. She subsequently went into a coma due to minimal neurological activity after a cardiac arrest on 4 April, 2022.
“Gleycy will always be remembered for her enlightened beauty, joy, and empathy,” said a Miss Brazil official in a statement to The Sun.
Following her death on 20 June, Correia’s body was sent to the Forensic Medicine Institute of Macae for an autopsy as many of the model’s family members suspected medical malpractice.
A close friend of the model’s family, Paster Jak Abreu, said on social media that her family believed there was a “mistake” during the surgery leading to her eventual death. The model’s family and friends held a service in her honour on 21 June 2022, after which she was buried.
“We’re deeply saddened by this loss. She was an amazing woman and much loved by everyone. It won’t be easy to live without her smile and shine,” said Lidiane Alves, the family’s pastor to The Washington Post.
Born in Macae, a city in south-eastern Brazil, the 2018 winner of the Miss United Continents Brazil, grew up in poverty, working as a manicurist at a neighbourhood salon.
After her success, Correia worked as a successful model and social media influencer, accruing over 57.5k followers on Instagram. Additionally, she also built her business in laser therapy, permanent makeup services and cosmetic tattoos. As an entrepreneur, she helped people remove permanent tattoos. She often reflected on her humble beginnings with her wide social media following and shared inspirational quotes to highlight her strength, reported The Sun.
“We will never know how strong we are until being strong is the only choice,” she wrote in one post.
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