A well-known vegan influencer, Zhanna Samsonova, has died at the age of 39 after reportedly following an extremely restrictive raw food diet.
Known online as Zhanna D’Art, the Moscow-born content creator spent nearly two decades traveling across Asia, sharing her plant-based recipes and lifestyle with thousands of followers. Friends and family, however, say her commitment to her raw vegan diet had become dangerously strict.
Her mother, Vera Samsonova, told Russian media that she had begged her daughter to seek medical help but that “she chose this path.” Friends also expressed deep concern, saying Zhanna appeared “exhausted” and “looked like she was starving.” One added that she believed she no longer needed water, relying only on fruit and vegetable juices.
Zhanna passed away on July 21, 2023, in Malaysia. Her mother believes a cholera-like infection combined with severe physical exhaustion from her diet led to her death. The official cause has not been confirmed.
Before her passing, Zhanna often described how much she loved her “new self” after adopting her raw lifestyle. Her story has since reignited discussions about extreme dieting, vegan health risks, and the importance of balanced nutrition under professional guidance.
