Watch:Born This Way’s Cristina Sanz Dead at 36
The reality TV community has said goodbye to one of its own
Cristina Sanz—who appeared on all four seasons of the A&E showBorn This Wayabout the lives of seven individuals living with Down syndrome—died July 6, according to her family. She was 36
“It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that our daughter, Cristina, passed away Monday morning,” her family wrote on<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DahnLN-Dt1Z/?hl=en” rel=”nofollow noopener” target=”_blank”>InstagramJuly 8. “She suffered a sudden cardiac arrest while at her Day Program and was rushed to the hospital. Despite the doctors’ best efforts to stabilize her heart, she did not survive.”
Though Sanz’s family described her death as “unexpected” and “a total shock,” they said they were “able to be by her side at the end.”
“We will forever treasure the gift of her life,” the family’s statement concluded. “We will all carry in our hearts the wonderful ‘Cristina moments’ that she gave us.”
In the wake of Sanz’s death, A&E also shared their condolences.
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Celebrity Deaths 2026
“We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Cristina Sanz, who touched the hearts of many through her time onBorn This Way,” a spokesperson for the network toldEntertainment Weeklyin a July 8 statement. “We extend our heartfelt sympathies to her family and all who had the privilege of knowing and working with her.”
During Sanz’s time onBorn This Way, which ran from 2015 to 2019, she married her then-husbandAngel Callahanand documented their relationship and daily life. (Sanz and Callahan ultimately split in 2021, perTMZ.)
Cristina Sanz/Instagram
She also crossed paths with many stars, includingwhen she metAlicia Keyson the set ofThe VoiceandJamie Lee Curtisat the 2016 Emmys, whereBorn This Waywon Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program
So, when Curtis won an Oscar in 2023 forEverything Everywhere All At Once, Sanz was beyond thrilled
“Ahhhhhh so so happy for Jamie,” she wrote onInstagramat the time. “When we won our Emmy she was there and she was the first person to stand up and give us and standing ovation. You WON now, go girl!!!! So happy for you. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!”
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