Raw Vegan Influencer Dies from Extreme Diet After Years of Warnings

Zhanna Samsonova, a 39-year-old Russian influencer known for her extreme raw vegan lifestyle, tragically passed away in 2023 after reportedly succumbing to starvation and exhaustion. Known online for promoting an ultra-restrictive diet, Samsonova refused to abandon her health regimen—even as her physical condition visibly deteriorated.

Originally from Russia, Samsonova spent much of her later life traveling across Southeast Asia, championing raw veganism on her social media platforms. Her message promoted natural living, with an emphasis on consuming only raw fruits, vegetables, and juices. While a well-balanced raw vegan diet can offer health benefits like improved digestion and lower risk of chronic diseases, experts emphasize that it requires careful planning and adequate hydration—something that appeared to be absent from Samsonova’s routine.

Over the years, the influencer’s diet became increasingly extreme. According to those close to her, Samsonova went far beyond raw veganism. She reportedly practiced “dry fasting,” a controversial method of abstaining not just from food but from water as well. Friends claim she hadn’t drunk plain water for over six years, relying entirely on fruit and vegetable juices for hydration. One acquaintance said she lived primarily on durian and jackfruit for nearly a decade.

“You don’t need a medical degree to know this path leads to disaster,” a friend commented.

Despite growing concern, Samsonova seemed convinced of her philosophy. “Death does not exist,” she allegedly insisted, even as her health declined. In one of her final social media posts from Thailand in June 2023, she celebrated durian season with an upbeat message, though her skeletal frame and fragile appearance told a different story.

“Wake up and smell the durian!” she wrote, pairing the caption with a video of her struggling to open the spiky fruit.

In early July, just weeks before her death, Samsonova shared a chilling reflection: “Life is meaningless, but worth living, provided you recognize it’s meaningless.” It would be the last message she would ever post.

She passed away on July 21, 2023, while in Malaysia. Reports suggest she died of starvation and exhaustion, although her mother, Vera, mentioned the possibility of a “cholera-like infection.” Vera also revealed her heartbreak over the years of watching her daughter refuse help.

“I fought for many years. She did not listen to me. She chose this path,” Vera told Russian media.

Close friends had also tried to intervene. One described Samsonova in her final days as “skeletal” and “frightening to look at,” while others noted her swollen legs and frail movements. One friend, Olga Chernyaeva, recalled showing Samsonova old photos in hopes of helping her see the decline in her health.

“I brought her fruit every day, but she refused to eat anything else,” Chernyaeva said. “She truly believed that she was fine, even as she wasted away.”

Samsonova’s death sparked a wave of reactions online. While some mourned the loss, others expressed harsh criticism of her lifestyle choices.

“Sometimes the purpose of a person’s life is to serve as a warning to others,” one commenter posted.

In the face of the backlash, Samsonova’s mother pleaded with the public for compassion. “She’s already gone. Please stop the hateful comments. You’re not hurting her anymore—you’re hurting me,” she said.

Samsonova’s story serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of extreme dietary practices and the importance of listening to medical advice. While plant-based diets can be beneficial, they must be practiced with proper nutritional balance and attention to essential needs—like hydration and variety.