Sylvie Meis continues to grapple with cancer daily.
Netflix star Sylvie Meis, diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009, continues to address her harrowing cancer journey and its lasting effects. Recently, in an interview published on May 29, 2025, she recounted the experience as the "most terrifying moment of her life," pinpointing its life-altering impact.
By the age of 31, Meis discovered a breast lump that she insisted be surgically removed, despite her doctor's advice. "My obstinacy might have saved my life," Meis reflects today in the podcast "May Way" (aired on RTL). Subsequent chemotherapy led to hair loss, but within a few months, she returned to the camera scene, wearing a wig.
During this challenging time, Meis's then-husband, footballer Rafael van der Vaart, provided unwavering support. However, the illness sparked a shift in their relationship dynamics, prompting Meis to assert her independence. The couple eventually divorced in 2013.
Reflecting on the experience, Meis now asserts, "As grueling as it was, it molded me into the woman I am today." Grateful for the transformation, she remains haunted by the memories of her most difficult year. "I think about cancer every day."
On her 47th birthday, April 13, Meis publicized on Instagram that self-love, a value she has nurtured over the years, is her top priority. Regardless of the challenges life presents, Meis declares her readiness to persevere, citing self-confidence as her greatest weapon.
Meis actively uses her platform to advocate for breast cancer awareness, as demonstrated by her support of Pink Ribbon Deutschland, posted May 27, 2025. She encourages ongoing dialogue about the disease and its impact beyond diagnosis and treatment to ensure awareness continues to spread. There's no evidence to suggest her cancer has returned; instead, she appears to be navigating the long-term consequences of her experience while championing cancer advocacy and open discussion.
References:ntv.de, csp/dpa
Tags: Sylvie Meis, Cancer, Breast Cancer, Celebrity Couples, Love Life.
- Although the chemotherapy treatment for her breast cancer led to hair loss, Sylvie Meis, in an interview, mentioned returning to the camera scene wearing a wig, implying her resilience in the face of adversity.
- Sylvie Meis, in reflecting on her cancer journey, stated that it has not only molded her into the woman she is today but also sparked a strong interest in health-and-wellness, including mental-health and women's-health issues.
- Despite having conquered breast cancer, Sylvie Meis continues to show her commitment to health and wellness, as well as mental health, by using her platform to advocate for breast cancer awareness, particularly through organizations like Pink Ribbon Deutschland, and emphasizing self-love as her top priority.
