Zhanna Samsonova was just 39 when she died, reportedly from “starvation and exhaustion”, thousands of miles from her birthplace in Moscow, Russia. The Instagram influencer’s tragic story has come under scrutiny due to her promotion of a completely “raw” diet, which reports have suggested was linked to her death. Under the name Zhanna D’Art, Samsonova regularly wrote about how she subsisted exclusively on fruit, vegetables, seeds, smoothies and juices while living in Malaysia. Her mother, Vera, attributed Samsonova’s death to a “cholera-like infection” that was exacerbated by her diet. In recent weeks, Samsonova had been unusually quiet on Instagram, with the exception of a troubling post shared just days before her death on 21 July. “Life is meaningless but worth living provided you recognise it’s meaningly,” she wrote, over a photo of herself wearing sunglasses, with a gasping expression on her face. Vera, 63, told Russian newspaper Novye Izvestia how she had begged her daughter to return home as she feared for her health. “I understood that Zhanna was about to die, but still I could not help her in any way. My daughter's life has turned into a nightmare,” she said, via LBC. She told the publication that she had “fought for years” to save her daughter, once an aspiring model, but she “refused to listen”. Samsonova is believed to have left Russia in 2006, buying a one-way ticket to spend the past 17 years travelling around Asia while blogging and practicing yoga. Photos shared by Vera showed a smiling Samsonova apparently taking part in a modelling contest. The images are in stark contrast to the final photos she shared of herself before her death, where she appeared visibly gaunt and malnourished. Her friends also spoke with local media, confessing they feared she was suffering from anorexia and that her diet was becoming increasingly limited. One of her neighbours, who was not named, said she was “horrified” when they met in Sri Lanka a few months ago, as Samsonova looked “exhausted” and had swollen legs “oozing lymph”. “They sent her home to seek treatment. However, she ran away again. When I saw her in Phuket, I was horrified,” the friend said, according to The Sun. “I lived one floor above her and every day I feared finding her lifeless body in the morning. I convinced her to seek treatment, but she didn’t make it.” Samsonova regularly made claims about the supposed benefits of her raw food diet, including that it offered “natural” protection from Covid-19. She also claimed that her body did not “require” water, writing last year that her fruit-based diet meant she had gone without water for the past six years. In recent months, she appeared to have become a fan of the durian fruit, sharing frequent posts that promoted it. “It’s that fabulous time of year again – Durian Season in Thailand!” she wrote in the caption of one of her final videos. “Wake Up And Smell the Durian! For all you durian lovers out there, isn’t it just the best? And for those who haven’t yet experienced the joy of durian, you’re in for a wild ride!” When she died, Samsonova had around 16,000 followers. At the time of writing, however, that number had increased to 33,000. There have been previous cases where people have starved to death due to their extreme diets, including children whose food intake was controlled by their parents. Last year, a vegan mother was sentenced to life in prison over the death of her 18-month-old son, who was fed a diet of raw fruits and vegetables. Prosecutors said that Sheila O’Leary’s son Ezra was severely malnourished, and weighed just 17 pounds when he died in September 2019. O’Leary was convicted by a Florida jury in June 2022 of first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse, aggravated manslaughter of a child, child abuse and two counts of child neglect. For anyone struggling with the issues raised in this article, eating disorder charity Beat’s helpline is available 365 days a year on 0808 801 0677. NCFED offers information, resources and counselling for those suffering from eating disorders, as well as their support networks. Visit eating-disorders.org.uk or call 0845 838 2040 Read More Vegan raw food influencer ‘dies of starvation and exhaustion’ ‘Love, obsession, extortion and murder’: The dramatic downfall of TikTok influencer who became a killer Royal family silent as Meghan Markle celebrates 42nd birthday Who was controversial vegan raw food influencer Zhanna D’Art: Health expert Dr Michael Mosley shares two tips for avoiding osteoporosis Will Smith says Willow ‘mutiny’ changed his view on family success

Angelica Jolie has announced her foray into the fashion world with the launch of her new business venture called Atelier Jolie. Branded as a “creative collective for self-expression”, the 47-year-old Girl, Interrupted actor is approaching the fashion industry with a focus on the consumer. Under the rather vague model, the consumer will be invited to play the role of the designer and collaborate with tailors, pattern makers and artisans to create unique fashion statements. “Why simply buy the design of another person, when you can create yourself?” Jolie wrote on her personal Instagram page, announcing the launch of the new account @atelierjolieofficial. “We can all collect, appreciate and be influenced by the designs of others. But the highest form of self-expression — and I believe the most fun — is to create for ourselves,” she wrote in the manifesto for the new venture. The Mr & Mrs Smith actor said she wants to help “democratise the fashion industry” by allowing customers to have access to a collective of emerging designers. She added that Atelier Jolie will only use “quality vintage” and “deadstock” – leftover – material. Jolie also revealed the brand’s logo designed by Peter Miles, an art director who has collaborated with Celine, Gabriela Hearst and Repossi. The logo shows white text reading the brand name, printed over a brown rustic fabric. The mission statement continued: “You will be able to repair or upcycle a piece from your closet you wish to revive, perfecting fit, breathing new life into what could have been thrown away, and creating quality heirloom garments with personal meaning.” Jolie provided little clarity on the specifics of the business’s operation, or even launch date, asking fans to “bear with me”. “We hope to create a community of creativity and inspiration, regardless of socio-economic background,” she wrote. Jolie also alluded to her long-term interest in fashion. “Fashion is an art I’ve had the opportunity to play with over the years. I’ve designed clothes, and learned about shapes with many of the best tailors,” she continued. “Designers often sketch or approve designs, but it is the tailors who make the difference and who I truly love creating with. And yet, these makers rarely receive the credit and respect they deserve. This isn’t the first time Jolie has started a business venture. The Maleficent actor founded a French winery and began selling her own rosé, Chateau Miraval, with her then-husband Brad Pitt. In 2021, however, Jolie sold her portion of the business. Read More Everything we know about ‘near catastrophic’ Harry and Meghan paparazzi chase in New York Fans aghast after Kanye West’s ‘wife’ Bianca Censori wears cross-shaped body tape Harry and Meghan – latest: Paparazzi blame car chase on couple’s ‘reckless’ driver Angelina Jolie shares tribute to late mum and urges women with family cancer history to get checked Fans aghast after Kanye West’s ‘wife’ Bianca Censori wears cross-shaped body tape 5 of this summer’s hottest swimwear trends

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