Yolanda Hadid was previously faced with shocking claims she was faking her Lyme disease
She clapped back at the controversial comments
Yolanda Hadid has always been admired for her glamour, poise, and openness about her personal life, but being in the spotlight hasn’t always been easy. During her time on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Yolanda’s health struggles with Lyme disease became a major storyline.
What should have been a moment of compassion and support turned into one of the show’s most controversial plotlines when fellow Housewife Lisa Rinna got involved. Lisa questioned whether Yolanda was truly ill, or actually suffering from something else…
Exploring RHOBH’s controversial episode
Lisa Rinna hit the ground running in season 6, accusing Yolanda of Munchausen Syndrome. One of her most controversial RHOBH moments. pic.twitter.com/3aIuVoeala
— Bye Wig Hello Drama (@hellodrama_) September 20, 2025
The drama unfolded during season six of RHOBH, when Lisa Rinna brought up the idea that Yolanda’s illness might not be what it seemed. In a shocking moment that still has fans talking to this day, Lisa repeated rumours suggesting Yolanda could be suffering from Munchausen syndrome. Munchausen is a psychological condition where someone fakes or exaggerates being sick for attention.
The claim didn’t sit well with viewers or Yolanda, who had been very transparent about her diagnosis and treatment. At the time, she was documenting her health journey publicly, sharing photos and updates of the toll Lyme disease had taken on her life. To see her pain reduced to gossip was not only hurtful but also damaging, feeding into a stigma that many people living with invisible illnesses already face.
Yolanda took to her own Bravo blog and said: “I do wonder though why these adult women sit around drinking wine in the afternoon debating another person’s health issues? As much as I wished they cared enough to learn and ask questions, I must blame it on and assume it’s ‘ignorance’.”
She also took to Instagram at the time to post a photo with a caption reading: “Discrediting someone’s disease because you’re not educated is a despicable act and lowest blow to ones integrity…”
Lisa later admitted she regretted her words, acknowledging that the suggestion had crossed a line. Still, the moment became etched into Housewives history as one of the most jaw-dropping accusations in the franchise.
The two hugged it out, but the whole drama resulted in Lisa almost quitting RHOBH, per People.
Yolanda has been battling the disease for years
Long before the cameras captured the drama, Yolanda had been fighting Lyme disease behind the scenes. Diagnosed in 2012, she has often described her journey as “crippling,” and has opened up about how it affected her energy, memory, and overall quality of life. Unlike other health issues that are more visible, Lyme symptoms can be unpredictable, making them even harder to manage and to explain to others.
Her honesty about the ups and downs of the illness, from undergoing treatments to struggling with daily tasks, has been praised by people who appreciate her honesty. Yolanda has also used her platform to raise awareness, stressing that Lyme disease isn’t just a quick illness you bounce back from but a long-term battle that can impact every aspect of a person’s life.
Despite the accusations thrown her way, Yolanda has continued to push forward, focusing on her family and her health. These days, she’s taking to Instagram to show support for her daughter, Bella Hadid, who also suffers from the chronic illness. She described her as a “Lyme warrior” this September and continues to spread awareness about the disease.
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