The entertainment and sporting world is in mourning following the tragic death of former professional athlete and reality TV star Roxana Moise, aged just 39, after a long and courageous fight against a brain tumour.
From Sports Pro to TV Warrior
Before finding fame on television, Roxana Moise was a professional handball player for the Romanian club Olchim Ramnicu Valcea. Her athletic career was unfortunately cut short by a significant knee injury she sustained in 2012. Undeterred, she remained in the world of sport, working for a time as a referee and later as a fitness instructor.
Her big break came when she joined the cast of the endurance competition show Exatlon Romania, a programme inspired by the global hit Survivor. On the show, contestants were split into teams, and Roxana competed as part of the Warriors team, which ultimately finished in fifth place.
A Courageous and Private Health Battle
While her family did not publicly disclose an official cause of death, it is known that in recent months Roxana had been battling a devastating brain tumour. She would often wear a turban to cover her short hair during her treatment. Her former coach, Nicoleta Lazar, spoke to Romanian sports site Fanatik, revealing that Roxana had been "very sick" but remained remarkably optimistic.
"I had spoken to her before, I think for at least an hour," Lazar said, recalling a planned dinner three months ago that Roxana had to cancel due to illness. "And she told me: 'Ma'am, I'll get better. You'll see.' But you could see that she was already forgetting what she was talking about. She was very optimistic."
Legacy of a 'Rare' Spirit
Heartfelt tributes have flooded in from friends, fans, and former teammates, painting a picture of a beloved and resilient woman. One friend wrote online: “You went to heaven after a hard fight and left behind a void that no one can fill. You left too soon, but your love, kindness and light will always remain with us.”
Another described her as a "rare, kind, gentle and strong woman with a kindness that I have rarely encountered."
After her time on Exatlon Romania, Roxana continued her passion for fitness, becoming a Kangoo Jumps instructor and a sports teacher at a secondary school in Ramnicu Valcea. She also took the entrepreneurial step of opening a women-only fitness centre. Roxana Moise is survived by her three children.
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