A Life of Resilience
Tayt Andersen, remembered as Ellen DeGeneres’s “only boyfriend,”
has died at 19 after battling cancer and a severe heart condition.
Born with only half a heart, doctors once said he wouldn’t live past three months, yet he defied the odds for nearly two decades.
Family’s Tribute
His family shared: “While our souls feel shattered and lost by this unimaginable grief,
we are so thankful that Tayt is finally free.
No more pain, no more appointments, no more treatments.”
Ellen’s Support
Tayt first appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show at age seven, where Ellen affectionately called him her “only boyfriend.”
He returned multiple times, even announcing his heart transplant in 2015. His mom recalled hospital visits scheduled around Ellen’s show, and Tayt embraced Dory’s mantra from Finding Nemo: “just keep swimming.”
Legacy of Hope
Despite relentless illness, Tayt graduated high school, traveled, and inspired millions with his courage and smile.