A popular ‘Alzheimer’s influencer’ has died aged 88, leaving her legions of followers bereft.
Antonia Amador’s endearing videos showing her struggle with the disease were an online hit.
She went by the name Antonia La Chunga on her social media pages, which were run by her daughter, Toñi.
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On Sunday (21 Jul), Toñi made a heart-wrenching post informing Antonia’s followers that she’d passed away.
She wrote: “I’m sorry to inform you that my lotus flower left us a few hours ago.”
She added a video on Tuesday (23 Jul), in which she explained that her mother’s remains had been taken to her home city of Cartagena, near Murcia, Spain.
Toñi wrote: “My princess embarked on her final journey to her beloved land of Cartagena at 1:00 pm today.
“There, she will rest in the family mausoleum with all her loved ones.”
Toñi opened a social media page for her mother as a hobby on New Year’s Day 2021, as reported on Need To Know.
The pair’s sympathetic and good-humoured handling of a devastating disease, like Alzheimer’s, quickly earned them a large following.
Within a month, Antonia had passed the 10,000 followers mark.
At the time of writing, she had amassed more than 700,000 followers across TikTok and Instagram.
Antonia didn’t have an easy life.
She moved from Cartagena to Valencia, where she met her second husband after the death of her first.
One of her six children died of cancer, and Toñi is also battling the disease.
Antonia’s followers have been leaving condolence messages.
Su wrote: “How much we all loved her from this side of the screen.
“And you too, Toñi. You did so well. With everything you’re going through. You are amazing.”
Patricia said: “My 13-year-old and I followed you, and we were overwhelmed with tenderness and laughter with Antonia.
“Even though we only saw you through videos on a phone screen, you’ve been a source of encouragement and inspiration for us day after day.
“A star lights up in the sky today, and a new angel will watch over us and always stay in our memory.”
And Loli remarked: “Toñi, I want to highlight how well you’ve done as a daughter.
“Without a doubt, you have given a great lesson in love and dedication, even with such a heavy burden as your illness.
“Your husband also deserves a special mention because he has treated her as a son would.
“Your mother was very fortunate in her last years because she was cared for and surrounded by love.”
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