The struggle for the perfect body sometimes turns into a deadly race. The fashion for “skinny girls” can ruin even a healthy girl’s life. The story of Valeria Levitina is a terrible confirmation of this: she tried to break free from anorexia for almost 20 years, but the disease proved stronger.
Valeria was born in Moscow in 1973 into a wealthy family. She was a talented girl: she learned to read early, wrote poetry, and played the piano. Her parents were proud of her appearance — Lera was bright, attractive, and had plenty of admirers.
When the 90s began, the family moved to the United States. For the young girl, the change of country proved to be a difficult test. Her self-esteem plummeted: at 171 cm tall, she weighed about 63 kg and considered herself “fat.” The ridicule of her peers only intensified her fear of her own body. Even her mother supported the idea of losing weight, insisting that she needed to shed her “excess weight.”
It all started innocently enough — counting calories, giving up sweets. But gradually, Valeria eliminated almost all carbohydrates from her diet. The weight came off rapidly — after a few months, she weighed 45 kg. At this stage, her thinness brought her initial success: she entered the modeling business and even won the title of “Miss Chicago.”
But she couldn’t stop. The disease consumed her. Valeria grew weaker, tired from the slightest movements, unable to lift a bag or tie her shoelaces. At 24, she weighed only 37 kg — doctors diagnosed her with anorexia.
Her family tried to help her, but the disease had already destroyed her body and psyche. Lera became known as “the thinnest woman on the planet” — but this fame was like a death sentence.
In 2010, she moved to Monaco, hoping that the mild climate would help her recover. On social media, she warned girls about the deadly dangers of extreme weight loss. But many did not listen to her — they asked her to share her “secrets” on how to lose weight quickly. Valeria replied, “I don’t want to teach people how to die.”
Her health deteriorated rapidly. Her body was emaciated, her weight dropped to a critical 25 kilograms, and her digestive system stopped working. The disease left her no chance.
On December 1, 2013, Valeria Levitina died. She was only 39.
Her tragedy became a terrible reminder that the cult of thinness can destroy a person slowly and imperceptibly — and that sometimes the struggle against “flaws” turns into a struggle for life.
