Hydeia Broadbent dies at 39: the little girl who rose to fame after making Oprah cry by revealing she was born with AIDS dies unexpectedly

Australia

An AIDS activist who rose to global fame after talking to Oprah about the disease as a little girl has died unexpectedly at the age of just 39.

Hydeia Broadbent became world famous at the age of eleven when she told her heartbreaking story of being born with HIV and being abandoned by her mother on Winfrey's show in 1996.

The chat icon welled up and lost her cool for a few seconds as she listened to Broadbent, with the touching moment becoming one of the most famous in the show's history.

Since then, Broadbent had become an advocate for HIV/AIDS and spent her life tackling the stigma surrounding the virus, especially during the AIDS crisis in the US in the 1990s, when such a diagnosis meant certain death.

But on February 20, Loren Broadbent announced his daughter's death Facebook and said she was “determined to spread hope.”

According to Kimberly R. McCoya family member, was on dialysis and life support last year.

A GoFundMe said her death was unexpected, suggesting Broadbent was on the mend, but further details about her cause of death were not shared.

Hydeia Broadbent shot to fame in 1996 after appearing on Oprah to tell the star how she was born with AIDS and abandoned along with her mother.

Winfrey welled up while listening to the then 11-year-old, and the touching moment became one of the most famous in the history of her chat show.

Hydeia Broadbent rose to fame at the age of 11 when she shared her heartbreaking story of being diagnosed with HIV with Winfrey on her eponymous show in 1996.

But on February 20, Loren Broadbent announced his daughter's death on Facebook, saying she was “determined to spread hope.”

“It is with great sadness that I inform you all that our beloved friend, mentor and daughter Hydeia passed away today after living with AIDS since birth.

“Despite facing countless challenges throughout her life, Hydeia remained determined to spread hope and positivity through HIV/AIDS education,” the grieving father wrote on the social media page.

AIDS was first identified in 1981 and killed almost all patients until the mid-1990s, when powerful retroviral drugs capable of suppressing HIV were developed.

Those with the condition cannot be cured, but they can live normal, healthy lifespans – although they are at greater risk of diseases such as cancer.

It is unclear whether Broadbent's diagnosis contributed to her death.

Shortly after being abandoned as an infant by her drug-addicted birth mother in Nevada, Broadbent was adopted by Loren and Patricia Broadbent.

But when she was four, her parents discovered that she had been HIV positive since birth and had contracted AIDS.

Until she was six, the young child accompanied her mother, a social worker, as she raised HIV awareness, but soon after she started talking to people about the condition herself.

During her appearance on Oprah, Broadbent revealed that living with the disease was the hardest part of life for her and explained the problems it had caused her.

'I had fungus in my brain, blood infections and pneumonia. I turned cold blue a few times and that was when I was five.

'Many of my friends have died of AIDS. Because I have no choice. And I see so many people living recklessly. They're just putting their lives on the line. At what point do we get it?

'You are not just dealing with HIV and AIDS. We have to address someone's mental state because if I'm not feeling well, I'm not happy and I don't want to get out of bed, I'm not going to take these pills to save my life.”

After hearing this, Winfrey began to well up during the interview.

Years later, Broadbent revealed that she did not realize Winfrey had been crying.

'I don't actually remember her crying. I remember being on stage and spending time with her after the show. She introduced me to her dogs and gave me an All American Girl Addy Doll. When I was featured on Oprah's Where Are They Now last year, the response was overwhelming.

“I found out that I was one of the most requested updates from viewers. “So many people feel like they've watched me grow up and are just happy to know I'm doing well and still speaking out,” the activist wrote on Instagram.

Years later, Broadbent revealed that she did not realize Winfrey had been crying

On her 34th birthday, Broadbent wrote a blog post on her website to celebrate the milestone as someone in 'the first generation of children born HIV positive'

Her father has launched a GoFundMe for Broadbent to 'lay her to rest'

She also had a guest appearance on 'A Conversation with Magic Johnson' on Nickelodeon in 1992 to raise awareness among children.

On her 34th birthday, Broadbent wrote a blog post on her website to celebrate the milestone as one of “the first generation of children born HIV positive.”

'The last few years have been extremely difficult; struggles with depression, which reached frightening points.

'A depression so dark that I wasn't sure how I would see the beauty of life again. I wasn't sure how I was going to pull myself back up. I now have a new perspective, I can now see the blessings and lessons from my valley. I am a warrior, I parent every day, with purpose, while still a work in progress,” she had written.

Her father has launched a GoFundMe for Broadbent to “lay her to rest.”

'Hi, I'm Loren Broadbent, Hydeia Broadbent's father. Hydeia passed away unexpectedly yesterday afternoon. Our hearts are broken.

“Hydeia has spent her life since the age of five showing us how to love, fight and stand up for people affected by HIV and AIDS. And as much as I wanted her to still be here fighting the big battle, God called her home. Let us all know. Well done.

'In honor of her memory, the family would like to lay her to rest. That is why we are currently asking for donations. Along with good wishes and prayers. We would like to thank you in advance.'

The crowdfunding page has raised $3,438 of its $20,000 goal.