The demise of Poonam Pandey, the model and reality TV star, due to cervical cancer was announced by her manager today, triggering shock and widespread speculation owing to the absence of detailed information or any official family statement. The 32-year-old, last featured on the reality show Lock Upp, “courageously battled the illness” and passed away this morning, as stated by her team.
“Poonam Pandey, the beloved actress and social media personality, tragically departed this morning due to Cervical Cancer, leaving the entertainment industry in disbelief and sorrow,” conveyed her manager, Nikita Sharma. Poonam Pandey, with over a million followers on Instagram, was remembered for her unwavering spirit amidst health struggles, emphasizing the “critical need for increased awareness and proactive measures against preventable diseases like Cervical Cancer.”
Reactions on social media varied from disbelief to skepticism, with many noting her recent presence on the red carpet at a Goa event just three days ago. The news emerged a day after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled plans for cervical cancer vaccination for girls aged 9 to 14 in her interim Budget 2024.
Reports initially cited media manager Parul Chawla as confirming Poonam Pandey’s death; however, Chawla later clarified that Poonam Pandey’s sister had called “regarding her sudden demise,” and further details were awaited.
“This is to place on record that we have received a call from her family member (sister) this morning regarding her sudden demise (as posted on her official Insta id). We are awaiting further information from the family to update everyone. We will release an official statement as we receive the further update to be shared,” stated Ms. Chawla.
The announcement surfaced when Poonam Pandey’s team posted on her official Instagram page this morning.
In a somber statement, her team expressed, “This morning is a tough one for us. Deeply saddened to inform you that we have lost our beloved Poonam to cervical cancer. Every living form that ever came in contact with her was met with pure love and kindness. In this time of grief, we would request privacy while we remember her fondly for all that we shared.”
Poonam Pandey gained fame in 2011 after pledging to strip if team India won the Cricket World Cup final. While she didn’t follow through, she did post a nude photo when her favorite team, Kolkata Knight Riders, won the IPL the following year. Known for controversial statements and explicit videos, she garnered a substantial social media following and participated in the 2022 Kangana Ranaut-led reality show Lock Upp, alongside her appearances in films.