Produced by: Tarun Mishra
Poonam Pandey's PR team has confirmed the passing of the popular model on Thursday night. The news was initially shared on her official Instagram handle. "She got detected with cancer sometime back and it was in the later stage. She was in UP her hometown and the funeral will happen there. We are yet to get more details," her PR team told India Today.
An official Instagram post on Poonam Pandey's Instagram disclosed the sad news, revealing that Poonam Pandey succumbed to cervical cancer. The post requested privacy during this time of grief.
Poonam Pandey's fans were left stunned after the news of her death made it to social media. While some said, "Just checked the news. It is true. She's no more", while another user questioned, "How can a person who is suffering from cancer looks so healthy and also dies all of a sudden. If news is true RIP, some expressed their grief"
Coincidently , the news of Poonam Pandey's passing closely follows Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's announcement in Budget 2024 regarding the government's push to encourage cervical cancer vaccination for girls aged 9 to 14. The initiative aims to administer the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine, specifically designed to offer protection against certain strains of cervical cancer.
Nikita Sharma, Poonam’s manager, also shared the heartbreaking news, stating, "Poonam Pandey was not only a luminary in the film industry, but she was also a beacon of strength and resilience.” Speaking to Hauterrfly, the actress’ manager said, “Her unwavering spirit amidst her health struggles was truly remarkable. As we come to terms with the tragic loss, her passing compels us all to recognize the critical need for increased awareness and proactive measures against preventable diseases like Cervical Cancer."
Poonam Pandey gained widespread recognition when, ahead of the 2011 Cricket World Cup final, she pledged to strip if India emerged victorious. This bold claim catapulted her to fame on various social media platforms.
Poonam Pandey was last seen in the first season of Lock Upp, hosted by Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut. Despite not winning, her participation expanded her fan base.
Poonam Pandey's surprise marriage to Sam Bombay was highlighted on social media, where they often shared videos and photos. However, the union ended with accusations of domestic violence soon after their 2020 wedding.
Poonam Pandey's legacy includes her daring public persona, rising from her infamous cricket World Cup pledge. While her recent projects contributed to her fanbase, the circumstances surrounding her demise have sparked speculation and scepticism among fans.