A mother-of-one and former beauty queen has died at the age of 42 after battling cervical cancer for almost a year.
Néya Camargo died at São José Hospital in Jaraguá do Sul, Brazil, on Tuesday (1 September).
The model was diagnosed with cervical cancer in October 2025.
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She shared her journey on social media in a bid to raise awareness among women about the importance of looking after their health.
Néya leaves behind her 16-year-old son, Jhon.
He said his mother had many plans for the future, including her dream of opening her own beauty salon in Jaraguá do Sul, where the pair planned to work together.
He wrote: “You were an amazing mum, full of crazy ideas.
“I loved making you laugh, and I also loved winding you up, especially because you’d lose your patience so quickly.”
Originally from Canoinhas, Néya had lived in Jaraguá do Sul for more than 20 years, as reported by Need To Know.
She won the Miss Belle Éclat title in October 2025, the same month she was diagnosed with cervical cancer.
Following her diagnosis, she had to put her professional and personal life on hold to focus on treatment.
Days before her death, she appeared on a podcast, where she spoke about her diagnosis and the impact it had on her life.
She said: “You feel lost, not knowing what to do. You have no idea what’s going to happen next because everything is so new to you.”
Jhon also paid tribute to his mother’s strength.
He wrote: “You always stayed so strong, even when things were so difficult.
“Even through the difficult times, you inspired and encouraged others through your Instagram, sharing stories and posts about self-esteem and reminding us that we were capable of anything.”
Miss Belle Éclat said: “Néya was so much more than a beauty queen.
“She was a strong, brave and determined woman who faced one of the greatest battles of her life and, even while battling cancer, continued to represent and inspire others, carrying with her the strength of so many women.”
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