Nigerian actress and body positivity advocate Monalisa Stephen has died at the age of 29. Her passing was announced on Wednesday, May 14, by Seun Oloketuyi, CEO of Best of Nollywood (BON), via Instagram. According to Oloketuyi, Stephen died on Tuesday, May 13, in Lagos after complications related to low blood sugar and internal bleeding. Her immediate younger sister confirmed the news.
Stephen had been open about her long-standing health challenges, revealing in past interviews that she had been living with juvenile diabetes since the age of 10. She often spoke about the toll the condition took on her physical and mental health, including struggles with vision loss and emotional distress. In 2022, she disclosed that she spent “23 hours a day” managing her health and urged the public to be more compassionate toward others facing invisible battles.
Beyond her health advocacy, Stephen was known for challenging societal norms around body image and for speaking out against body shaming in the entertainment industry. She frequently highlighted the limited roles available to plus-size women in Nollywood and worked to create space for more inclusive representation.
Her death has sparked an outpouring of grief and tributes from fans and colleagues, many of whom praised her courage, resilience, and commitment to self-love and empowerment.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.