In 2017, Selena Gomez almost died.
She was 25 years old, at the peak of her career, and facing complete kidney failure from lupus. She needed an emergency transplant or she wouldn't survive the year.
Her best friend Francia Raísa donated her kidney, saving Selena's life.
While she was still recovering, Selena was photographed with Justin Bieber. The tabloids accused her of "not taking care of herself." Francia felt betrayed. Their friendship almost ended.
It was rock bottom.
Today, Selena Gomez is a billionaire. She's healthier. She's in a loving relationship. She's built a beauty empire that changed the mental health conversation. She's finally living life on her own terms.
This is the story of how she survived everything and came out stronger.
The Disney Beginning: Too Young, Too Famous (2007-2012)
Selena Gomez was 15 when Wizards of Waverly Place made her a household name.
She was a kid managing:
- A hit TV show
- A music career
- Global fame
- Intense public scrutiny
And nobody protected her from what was coming.
The Justin Bieber Relationship That Nearly Destroyed Her (2010-2018)
From ages 18 to 26, Selena's life revolved around Justin Bieber.
They were on-and-off for eight years:
- 2010-2012: First relationship
- 2013: Break up, back together, break up
- 2014-2015: Multiple reconciliations
- 2017-2018: Final toxic reunion before he married Hailey
The relationship was:
- Publicly humiliating (cheating rumors, social media drama)
- Emotionally exhausting (constant breakups and reconciliations)
- Mentally damaging (she later said it was abusive)
While dating Justin, Selena's health was deteriorating, but nobody knew.
The Lupus Diagnosis Nobody Knew About (2013)
In 2013, Selena was diagnosed with lupus—an autoimmune disease where your body attacks itself.
She kept it secret for two years while:
- Continuing to tour
- Recording albums
- Dealing with the Bieber drama
- Slowly getting sicker
In 2014, she quietly canceled tour dates. People thought she was in rehab. She was actually fighting for her life.
Going Public: The Chemotherapy She Hid (2015)
In October 2015, Selena finally revealed her lupus diagnosis.
What she didn't say: she'd been undergoing chemotherapy for months.
The tabloids had mocked her weight gain and "weird" behavior. They didn't know the medications were destroying her body while trying to save her life.
She took a break from music and disappeared from public life.
The Kidney Transplant That Saved Her Life (2017)
By summer 2017, Selena's lupus had attacked her kidneys. She was facing kidney failure.
Without a transplant, she would need dialysis for the rest of her life—or die.
Her best friend Francia Raísa was tested and was a match.
In September 2017, Francia donated her kidney to Selena.
The surgery saved Selena's life but nearly killed both of them when complications arose.
The Friendship That Almost Ended (2017-2018)
After the transplant, Selena was supposed to rest, avoid alcohol, and take care of her new kidney.
Instead, she was photographed:
- Drinking alcohol
- Out with Justin Bieber
- Not following medical advice
Francia felt betrayed. She'd risked her life, and Selena seemed to be throwing it away for a toxic ex-boyfriend.
Their friendship imploded. They didn't speak for months.
The Final Bieber Breakup and Mental Health Crisis (2018)
In early 2018, Selena and Justin were back together for the final time.
By March 2018, he'd dumped her and was engaged to Hailey Baldwin.
Selena completely fell apart:
- Mental health crisis
- Hospitalization
- Diagnosed with anxiety and depression
- Spent time in treatment facilities
She later said: "I had everything, and I was absolutely broken inside."
The Rare Beauty Launch: Turning Pain Into Purpose (2020)
While recovering, Selena realized something: mental health wasn't talked about in the beauty industry.
In September 2020, she launched Rare Beauty—a makeup brand with a mission:
- Celebrating imperfection
- Mental health advocacy
- 1% of sales to mental health services
- Inclusive products for all skin tones and abilities
It wasn't just another celebrity makeup brand—it was a movement.
The Rare Impact Fund: $100 Million for Mental Health (2020-Present)
Selena committed to raising $100 million for mental health over 10 years through the Rare Impact Fund.
The fund provides:
- Therapy access for underserved communities
- Mental health education in schools
- Crisis intervention resources
She turned her darkest pain into help for millions.
The Billion-Dollar Valuation Nobody Saw Coming (2024)
In September 2024, Bloomberg reported that Rare Beauty was valued at $2 billion after investors came calling.
Selena owns a significant stake, making her worth over $1.3 billion:
- Rare Beauty: $1.1 billion
- Acting and music: $100 million
- Other business ventures: $100 million
She became one of the youngest female self-made billionaires in the world.
The Health Reality She Still Lives With (2020-Present)
Selena is open about her ongoing struggles:
- Takes immunosuppressants daily to prevent kidney rejection
- Can never drink alcohol (it would damage her transplanted kidney)
- Lupus is incurable—she manages it, doesn't cure it
- Has scars from her transplant surgery
- Faces potential fertility issues due to medications
She'll never be "normal" again. But she's accepted it and used her platform to help others.
The Reconciliation With Francia Raísa (2022)
In 2022, Selena and Francia finally reconciled.
They posted photos together, and Francia said: "Selena and I are good. We've always been good."
Selena later said the fallout taught her to take her health seriously and respect what Francia sacrificed.
Their friendship surviving this proves real love can heal.
The Relationship With Benny Blanco: Finally Choosing Right (2023-Present)
In December 2023, Selena confirmed she's dating music producer Benny Blanco.
What makes this different:
- He's not fame-obsessed
- He's supportive of her health needs
- He treats her with respect
- No public drama or toxicity
After years of choosing wrong, she finally chose someone who puts her first.
The "My Mind & Me" Documentary (2022)
In November 2022, Selena released a documentary showing:
- Her mental health struggles
- The kidney transplant recovery
- Bipolar disorder diagnosis
- The cost of fame on her wellbeing
It was raw, vulnerable, and honest—no filters, no glamour.
She showed the world that success doesn't equal happiness.
The Acting Career That Keeps Surprising People (2021-Present)
While building Rare Beauty, Selena also became a legitimate actress:
Only Murders in the Building (2021-present):
- Critical acclaim
- Emmy nominations
- Proved she's more than a pop star
She's earning $6 million per season and getting the respect she always deserved.
Why She'll Probably Never Tour Again (2023)
Selena has hinted she's done with music tours:
- Physically exhausting for someone with lupus
- Bad for her mental health
- She makes more money from Rare Beauty
- Acting is less demanding on her body
She's choosing her health over fame—something she couldn't do at 20.
The Fertility Heartbreak She Shared Publicly (2022)
In September 2022, Selena revealed that her medications likely mean she can't carry her own children.
She's open about considering:
- Surrogacy
- Adoption
- Potentially not having kids
By being vulnerable about it, she helped millions of women facing similar struggles.
What Makes Selena's Billion Different
Most celebrity billionaires got rich from:
- Music (Rihanna, Jay-Z)
- Fashion (Kim Kardashian)
- Tech investments (Ashton Kutcher)
Selena built hers on mental health advocacy.
Rare Beauty succeeds because:
- It's authentic (not just a celebrity cash grab)
- It solves real problems (mental health stigma)
- Selena uses her platform responsibly
- The products are actually good
The Evolution: From People Pleaser to Boundary Setter
The old Selena:
- Stayed with toxic people to avoid conflict
- Put everyone else first
- Hid her health struggles
- Worked herself to exhaustion
The new Selena:
- Protects her peace
- Sets boundaries
- Speaks openly about health and mental health
- Chooses herself first
The Lessons from Selena's Survival Story
Selena Gomez's journey teaches us:
- Health comes first: Fame and money mean nothing if you're dying
- Toxic relationships will kill you: Literally, in her case
- Vulnerability is strength: Sharing struggles helps millions
- Your pain has purpose: She turned suffering into advocacy
- It's never too late to choose yourself: Even after years of choosing wrong
What's Next for the Billionaire (2025 and Beyond)
Selena's future:
- Expanding Rare Beauty globally
- Continuing Only Murders in the Building
- Mental health advocacy work
- Possibly marriage and kids (via surrogacy/adoption)
- Living life on HER terms
The Disney Star Who Became a Billionaire by Choosing Herself
Selena Gomez almost died at 25.
She survived:
- Lupus
- Kidney failure
- Toxic relationships
- Mental health crises
- Public humiliation
- Physical and emotional trauma
And she came out the other side as:
- A billionaire
- A mental health advocate
- A successful actress
- A woman who finally put herself first
She went from needing a kidney transplant to building a billion-dollar empire.
She transformed her pain into purpose. She chose health over fame. She finally stopped people-pleasing and started living.
Selena Gomez didn't just survive—she thrived. And she did it by finally, after 30 years, choosing herself.
