Model-actor Poonam Pandey succumbs to cervical cancer at 32

 

The Instagram post announcing her death read, "This morning is a tough one for us. Deeply saddened to inform you that we have lost our beloved Poonam to cervical cancer. Every living form that ever came in contact with her was met with pure love and kindness. In this time of grief, we would request for privacy while we remember her fondly for all that we shared.”

On the professional front, Poonam was last seen in the first season of ‘Lock Upp’, a show hosted by Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut. Despite not winning the show, she managed to expand her fan base. The show was eventually won by stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui.

Poonam’s personal life also made headlines when she married Sam Bombay in a surprise wedding. The couple often shared their moments on social media platforms. However, the marriage was short-lived as she accused him of domestic violence shortly after their wedding in 2020.

Poonam’s death left her followers in shock and disbelief, with many paying their tributes in the comments section on her Instagram. Some users even wondered if it was a marketing gimmick.

Poonam had shot to internet fame over a decade ago when she declared that she would strip if India won the 2011 Cricket World Cup final match.

Interestingly, the news of Poonam’s death comes a day after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced in Budget 2024 an initiative by the Centre to promote cervical cancer vaccination among girls aged 9 to 14. The vaccination programme will involve the administration of the HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) vaccine, designed to offer protection against specific strains of cervical cancer.