Bella Hadid marked her 29th birthday with an intimate celebration attended by a close circle of friends, including model and long-time confidante Hailey Bieber.
The Victoria’s Secret model, who celebrated her birthday on October 9, shared a series of photographs from the private gathering on Instagram over the weekend. One image captured Ms. Hadid posing alongside Mrs. Bieber and an arrangement of balloons, including a large “29.”
Ms. Hadid appeared in a sheer cropped top paired with blue denim, subtly revealing her midriff, while Mrs. Bieber opted for a casual white t-shirt and dark jeans. “Surprise 👻 I have the best friends ever, cutest girls in the world. I love you so, so much,” Ms. Hadid wrote in her caption, referencing the surprise celebration organized by her friends.
The model, who recently underwent treatment in Germany for chronic neurological Lyme disease—a condition she has battled for over a decade—also shared a video of herself blowing out candles on a red cake adorned with an image of her from the Victoria’s Secret runway and the phrase, “That’s all folks!”
Additional photos from the post revealed Halloween-themed activities, including pumpkin carving sessions. In one image, Ms. Hadid wore a crown while painting pumpkins with friends, while another showed Mrs. Bieber holding a creatively decorated black pumpkin with painted eyes and cat ears.
A week earlier, Ms. Hadid’s partner, professional rodeo athlete Adan Banuelos, had shared a public tribute in honor of her birthday. The 36-year-old Mexican-American equestrian posted a collection of intimate photographs showcasing the couple’s quiet life together in Texas, where Ms. Hadid relocated in 2023.
In his caption, Mr. Banuelos wrote:
“October’s become a special month. It’s the month God sent you. Even with all the chaos and ugliness, He gave us something pure and beautiful. Love you, baby. I’ll keep reminding you every day just how much.”
Ms. Hadid replied in the comments with heartfelt emojis, writing:
“Baby, I love you. Thank you, my bub. This is the sweetest… ever.”
The couple’s affection was evident in the images, which included horseback riding scenes and candid moments together, with Ms. Hadid seen embracing Mr. Banuelos in several shots.
In September, Ms. Hadid revealed that she had been receiving month-long intensive treatment at St. George Hospital, located outside Munich, Germany, for her Lyme disease symptoms. Images shared by both Ms. Hadid and her mother, Yolanda Hadid—who also suffers from the illness—showed the model connected to IV drips and oxygen tubes during her stay.
While Ms. Hadid has spoken openly about her health struggles, her ongoing battle with what she describes as “chronic” Lyme disease has attracted skepticism from parts of the medical community. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most Lyme disease patients recover after a standard antibiotic course of two to three weeks, though some may experience lingering effects known as post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS).
Despite medical debate over the persistence of the condition, Ms. Hadid’s recent posts suggest that she continues to prioritize her health and wellbeing, while embracing moments of joy and connection with loved ones amid ongoing recovery.#newsafro_
