Pakistani-American Top Chef contestant Fatima Ali passed away on Friday after battling with cancer. She was just 29.
She moved to New York at the age of 18, rose to fame on Bravo’s Top Chef where she came in seventh on season 15 but won the Fan Favorite title when the season ended early last year. She was known for her “fun personality and excellent cooking” of food.
She was diagnosed with cancer at the end of 2017 with Ewing’s sarcoma, a type of bone and soft tissue cancer. She had chemotherapy and surgery to remove a tumor and surrounding cells in her left shoulder in January 2018.
Bravo confirmed her passing in a statement:
“We are deeply saddened to share the news that Fatima Ali has lost her courageous battle with cancer,” shared a representative for the network. “Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this time. People not only fell in love with her cooking, but fell in love with her personality and heart. We hope that the beautiful memories shared with her will provide comfort to everyone who knew and loved her.”
We are deeply saddened to hear the news that Fatima Ali lost her courageous battle with cancer. Our thoughts are with her family at this time. People not only fell in love with her cooking, but fell in love with her personality and heart. ???? pic.twitter.com/pKoZG7BDIk
— Bravo’s Top Chef (@BravoTopChef) January 25, 2019
On Jan 29, she had shared a health update on Instagram.
“I know it’s been ages since I posted and most may have figured out why,” she wrote on selfie of herself. “I’m sick and unfortunately I’m getting sicker.”
“Right now all I need are prayers; prayers that are simple,” she continued. “I hope, because a wish is putting on too much responsibility on the other, that you will somehow find forgiveness in your big heart for whenever I must have hurt you. I thank you a million times over for when you have given me joy.”
Last year, she appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres show where she spoke of her dreams of travelling the world and eating at her favourite places.
At the end of the interview, DeGeneres surprised her with a check for $50,000 from Shutterfly to help ensure that she experiences everything she wants.
To help her fulfill her dream of traveling the world in search of fine food, a GoFundMe campaign was started by #TeamFati. It raised over $95,000 and any remaining funds after her death were to be given to the Sarcoma Foundation of America.
