Pakistani ‘Top Chef’ contestant Fatima Ali passes away after battle with cancer

Pakistani chef Fatima Ali, known as Chef Fati on season 15 of ‘Top Chef’, passed away on Firday at the age of 29, after a brave battle with a rare form of cancer.

Fatima, who had moved to New York at the age of 18, succumbed to terminal cancer after being diagnosed with the disease in October 2018. She was battling with cancer from last few months and she was continuously giving her health update through her Instagram.

“I know it’s been ages since I posted and most may have figured out why. I’m sick and unfortunately, I’m getting sicker,” her last post on Instagram reads. Earlier in November, she appeared on 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show' to talk about how she was dealing with her terminal cancer diagnosis.

Just after Fatima passed away, ‘Top Chef’ host Padma Lakshmi issued a heartfelt tribute. “Goodbye lil sis. One of our brightest stars has fallen from the sky. I have no words, but here are some of hers,” Lakshmi said. “I dream of being better. I dream of being myself again, but I know I'll never quite be the same, and that's okay,” she added.