'Born This Way' Star Cristina Sanz Dies at 36 Following Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Sanz was among the cast members featured across all four seasons of "Born This Way," which first aired in December 2015 and concluded in December 2019.

Rudy Blalock

Published: 7/8/2026, 10:45:47 PM EDT

'Born This Way' Star Cristina Sanz Dies at 36 Following Sudden Cardiac Arrest — Cristina Sanz attends the Media Access Awards 2018 in Los Angeles on Nov. 1, 2018. (Araya Diaz/Getty Images for Media Access Awards)

Cristina Sanz, one of the breakout personalities from A&E's Emmy Award-winning docuseries "Born This Way," died on July 6 after suffering a sudden cardiac arrest. She was 36.

The announcement was made by her family, who revealed in a post on her Instagram account that Sanz had gone into cardiac arrest while attending her Day Program. She was transported to the hospital, where medical staff worked to stabilize her heart, but she did not survive.

"We are grateful that we were able to be by her side at the end," her family wrote.

"Her death was a total shock and unexpected," they said. "We will forever treasure the gift of her life. We will all carry in our hearts the wonderful 'Cristina moments' that she gave us."

–Cristina Sanz attends the Media Access Awards 2018 in Los Angeles on Nov. 1, 2018. (Araya Diaz/Getty Images for Media Access Awards)

(L–R) Kristy Kishler, Cristina Sanz, Hilary Cruz, Megan Bomgaars, and Caley Versfelt attend the Best Buddies event at Blushington Beauty Lounge in West Hollywood, Calif., on July 8, 2016. (Randy Shropshire/Getty Images for Blushington) — (L–R) Kristy Kishler, Cristina Sanz, Hilary Cruz, Megan Bomgaars, and Caley Versfelt attend the Best Buddies event at Blushington Beauty Lounge in West Hollywood, Calif., on July 8, 2016. Randy Shropshire/Getty Images for Blushington

A&E issued a statement confirming the news. "We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Cristina Sanz, who touched the hearts of many through her time on Born This Way," the network said in a statement shared with media outlets. "We extend our heartfelt sympathies to her family and all who had the privilege of knowing and working with her."

Sanz's Legacy

Sanz was among the cast members featured across all four seasons of "Born This Way," which first aired in December 2015 and concluded in December 2019. The show offered an intimate portrait of young adults with Down syndrome as they navigated careers, relationships, and personal independence while challenging societal expectations, according to A&E's series synopsis.

The program won the 2016 Emmy Award for Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program, and went on to earn two additional Emmy wins in 2017 for Outstanding Casting for a Reality Program and Outstanding Cinematography for a Reality Program.

Among the storylines that drew the most viewer attention was Sanz's relationship and eventual marriage to fellow cast member Angel, whose 2018 wedding was documented in an episode of the series, A&E has previously said. The couple later separated in 2021, according to TMZ. Sanz's final Instagram post, a cast photo from "Born This Way," was shared in December 2025.

In 2019, A&E announced a six-part digital series and a one-hour linear series finale special to close out the show's run, bringing the full cast back together. Executive producer Jonathan Murray reflected on the series, stating: "It's not often that you get to make television like 'Born This Way' which has had such a positive impact on the world. The show unquestionably changed how society views people with Down syndrome and how people with Down syndrome see themselves."

News of Sanz's death spread quickly, with her family's post drawing more than 2,000 comments and nearly 20,000 likes as of July 8. Fans recalled her influence both on and off screen. "So many of us were touched personally by Cristina, and I will forever remember her humor, her spark and fire, and her friendship over the years," one person wrote. "What a beautiful life and she impacted countless people."

Others shared how the series shaped their own lives. "I received my prenatal diagnosis during Born This Way in 2015 and it brought us so much comfort," one fan wrote in the comments. "Your love for each other was palpable through the screen and continues to be a part of our diagnosis story.