Amputee model and activist, Mama Cax dies at 30

Novieku Babatunde Adeola December 23, 2019
Photo: Heraldplanet

Haitian-American model, Mama Cax, has died of complications after a weeklong illness on a trip to London, her family announced on Instagram.

She was 30.

The model, born Cacsmy Brutus became a powerful advocate for women living with disabilities and colored women after losing her legs in her teenage age to lung and bone cancer.

View this post on Instagram

???

A post shared by Mama Cāx ?? (@mamacax) on

Known for her positivity towards life in spite of her predicament, she was also an activist who became famous through her blog where she wrote passionately and frankly about travel, general lifestyle, and fashion.

Before her death, Cax, opened up about her health struggles. On Instagram, she spoke extensively about how she discovered a blood clot in her leg, thigh and abdomen while in London for a photoshoot.

“To say that Cax was a fighter would be an understatement,” her family’s statement said.

“As a cancer survivor, she had grown accustomed to taking on life’s several challenges head-on and successfully. It is with that same grit… that she fought her last days on earth.”

Image result for mama cax
Mama Cax began modeling in 2017_Photo: myjoyonline

Since she began active modeling in 2017, Cax has worked with top brands across the globe, including Tommy Hilfiger, Asos, Sephora and Rihanna’s, Fenty.

View this post on Instagram

Y’all 2019 has been one of the best years for me , cannot deny it! but 2019 also tried to take me out ? I was gearing up for a wonderful couple of weeks went from celebration an anniversary with bae in Serbia, flew to NY for a quick job then had a quick shoot in London before heading to L.A to celebrate a fruitful yearlong partnership with my #sephorasquad family. While in London I started experiencing severe abdominal pain and was rushed to the emergency room- they dismissed it as an inflammation and sent me back to my hotel with some pain meds. The next morning it got worse, while barely conscious, I asked the hotel to call me an ambulance. They discovered that I had several blood clots in my leg, thigh, abdomen and near an IVC filter near my Lungs (which is a medical device that prevents clots from entering the lungs.) up until this emergency visit I had no idea I had such filter (which I assumed was placed there during my chemo days 14yrs ago) – nonetheless this filter saved my life. Lots of unanswered questions which I’ll have to figure out once I’m back to the States but I’m finally out of the hospital, in less pain, resting and taking blood thinners. Unfortunately flying puts me at risk of a pulmonary embolism therefore I’m stuck across the pond until after Christmas. Hope y’all are gearing up for a wonderful holiday season. (Thanks @sephora for the flowers ? and to everyone who took time to message and call me- love you all ?) _______________________________________________

A post shared by Mama Cāx ?? (@mamacax) on

In 2018, she featured in New York Fashion Week, the cover of Teen Vogue with Jillian Mercado and Chelsea Werner and modeled in a swimsuit designed by Becca McCharen.

This year, she walked in both New York Fashion Weeks and Chromat.

Her death has come as a shock to everyone who became accustomed to her style of fashion. As the news spread, industry players including Rihanna who cast Cax in her Savage X Fenty lingerie fashion show in September shared her condolence.

Related image
Photo: desighntaxi

“A queen. A force. A powerhouse beauty that brought her strength to the @savagexfenty stage this year inspiring so many across the globe. Rest In Power sis,” Rihanna tweeted.

Models Tess Holliday, Nina Agdal, Noami Campbell and actor Jameela Jamil also shared their condolences. 

Conversations

Must Read

Connect with us

Join our Mailing List to Receive Updates