Hydeia Broadbent, hailing from African American community, who was known for raising awareness to lessen the stigma around HIV/AIDS from a young age, passed away at 39 years old.
She was among prominent faces of children with AIDS in America.
Her father, Loren Broadbent, confirmed her unexpected passing in a message posted to Meta—Facebook without revealing cause of death.
"With great sadness, I must inform you all that our beloved friend, mentor and daughter Hydeia, passed away today after living with Aids since birth," he said in the social media post. "Despite facing numerous challenges throughout her life, Hydeia remained determined to spread hope and positivity through education around Hiv/AIDS."
When Hydeia diagnosed with HIV?
At age 3, Broadbent was diagnosed as positive with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
The disease was passed down by her mother, an IV drug user who left her at the hospital, and doctors predicted she wouldn't live past age 5.
She started sharing her story publicly with the encouragement of her adoptive parents.
"I want people to know that we're just normal people," a tearful Broadbent said in the 1992 special.
