Karol Eller, a 36-year-old influencer from São Paulo, took her own life last Thursday, with the news confirmed by Federal lawmaker Nikolas Ferreira, eliciting widespread condolences.
Before her death, she posted distressing messages like “I lost the battle.” Just a month before, Eller had made a public announcement.
She said she ‘was giving up’ homosexual practices after a religious retreat. She was a member of the Liberal Party and supported the Bolsonaro family.
Initially, Eller gained attention for event promotion and lifestyle vlogs in the U.S. Through these videos, she became politically active and aligned with the Bolsonaro family.
In 2019, under President Jair Bolsonaro’s administration, Eller joined Brazil’s state media company, EBC.
However, she was dismissed from her role in early 2023 after participating in controversial political activities.
After leaving EBC, Eller worked as an advisor to state representative Paulo Mansur. She also made a recent video inviting people to a free election course with him.
Mansur, too expressed sorrow at Eller’s passing. Eller was most active on Instagram, boasting over 200,000 followers.
On Facebook, she had more than 700,000. Her YouTube channel appears to be deactivated. Recently, she joined the Liberal Party and announced her conversion to Protestantism.
Eller isn’t the late singer Cássia Eller’s child but a distant relative. She left a possible farewell note on her Instagram, hinting at taking her own life.
Background
Karol Eller’s tragic demise serves as a grim reminder of the immense pressures and vulnerabilities faced by public figures, especially in the digital age.
Despite their vast followings and seemingly idyllic lives, social media influencers often grapple with personal challenges in the backdrop.
Eller’s announcement of her conversion, a deeply personal decision, might have been influenced by various factors, both internal and external.
Historically, influencers and celebrities making significant life changes have been met with mixed reactions from the public, sometimes leading to unwarranted scrutiny and backlash.
Mental health has become an increasingly critical topic in the influencer community, with many advocating for more open conversations and support systems.