Zhanna Samsonova, a vegan influencer known online as Zhanna D’Art, has died at the age of 39 after years of promoting an extreme plant-based lifestyle across social media.
Originally from Moscow, Russia, Samsonova spent nearly two decades traveling throughout Asia, documenting her strict raw vegan diet, yoga routines, and wellness practices.
Her death on July 21, 2023, in Malaysia has raised significant concern among her friends and family, many of whom had long feared for her health.
Zhanna’s mother, Vera Samsonova, told Russian media that she had repeatedly warned her daughter about the dangers of her restrictive eating habits. “She chose this path,” Vera said. “I fought for many years, but she wouldn’t listen.”
Close friends echoed those concerns, telling local outlets that Zhanna had refused help even as her health visibly declined. One friend said, “Her starvation was causing her to melt before our eyes, but she believed everything was fine. Only her eyes and beautiful hair distracted from the dreadful condition of her body.”
Another acquaintance added: “I lived one floor above her and was terrified I’d find her dead one morning. I begged her to get treatment.”
Friends also noted that Zhanna had stopped drinking water altogether, relying instead on juices from fruits and vegetables, particularly durian, a tropical fruit notorious for its strong odor.
In past interviews, Zhanna expressed pride in her transformation, saying: “I see my body and mind transform every day. I love my new me.”
Her mother believes the cause of death was a “cholera-like infection” made worse by “severe exhaustion” brought on by her extreme diet. However, no official cause of death has been publicly confirmed.
While veganism can offer numerous health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease and improved blood sugar levels, experts caution that it must be approached with balance. Health professionals recommend those on plant-based diets consult with their doctors about proper supplementation and nutrition to avoid deficiencies and long-term complications.
