Vanessa Konopka, a beloved 28-year-old travel influencer from Germany, has died after months of battling serious illness in a hospital in the Philippines. Her partner Fernando confirmed that Vanessa passed away on March 7, following a long fight against pneumonia and severe liver damage, which left her bed bound and unable to speak, walk, or eat.
Illness Strikes After Party on Boracay Island
Vanessa reportedly became ill after attending a party on the popular island of Boracay, where she had been living since December 2022 with Fernando. The couple had recently launched a local business — a Brazilian-style venue called Beach Bar Boracy.
A Global Audience Watches in Worry
Fans from around the world followed Vanessa’s health journey through her and Fernando’s blog and YouTube channel, “Happiness Crossing.” As her health deteriorated, viewers expressed concern in comments on their videos, noting her jaundiced appearance in recent footage.
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Messages of support poured in:
“Oh My G! What happened to you dear? I’ll be there in Boracay next week. Hope to see you 😊”
“Sending prayers 🙏 from London, you’ll be back on the beach again. You are strong. 🙏”
Attempts to Repatriate Vanessa for Treatment
In late February, Fernando shared a hopeful update, saying that Vanessa had reunited with her mother in Boracay and was stabilizing. They planned to return to Germany for treatment, pending her recovery.
“Vanessa is out of danger now… They will wait a few more days until Vanessa gets strong enough so she can go back to Germany for treatment,” Fernando said in a video update posted on February 20.
To fund the air ambulance evacuation, Fernando launched a GoFundMe campaign, raising close to $6,000 with help from supporters across the globe.
Final Farewell and Heartfelt Tribute
Tragically, Vanessa passed away just two weeks later, despite the fundraising efforts. On March 7, Fernando announced her death in an emotional message:
“Once again, I can only ask for your prayers so that God may bring comfort to the hearts of her loved ones,” he wrote.
“Kushka, if you are perhaps reading this somewhere… thank you so much for teaching me how to love myself… I will forever love you, and we may see each other again.”
Remembered by Her Followers
Vanessa’s Instagram account is now a space of remembrance, filled with heartfelt tributes from fans and friends.
“We miss you so much. You left us too soon, and it hurts knowing we won’t have another night of laughter, parties, and chaos around Poblacion like we always planned,” one friend posted.
“Just learned of your passing. RIP. You made the world brighter,” another follower commented.
Legacy of “Happiness Crossing”
Through her channel “Happiness Crossing,” Vanessa inspired thousands with her travels, positivity, and openness. Even in her final months, she documented her health battle with honesty, hoping to encourage others to appreciate life, love, and connection.
Her journey — both adventurous and heartbreaking — leaves behind a legacy of courage, creativity, and community.
