'Born This Way' star Cristina Sanz passed away at the age of 36 after a sudden cardiac arrest. Her death has cast fresh light on the reality star's dream wedding with Angel Callahan.
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Add BollywoodShaadis on GoogleCristina Sanz was a beloved figure in reality television, whose story was extensively covered on the Emmy-winning A&E reality series, Born This Way. The reality star's sudden passing at the mere age of 36 has once again prompted fans to revisit her inspiring journey on the show, including her memorable romance with Angel Callahan.
Sanz, who died on July 6, 2026, after suffering a sudden cardiac arrest, shared much of her relationship with Callahan on the show. In fact, the couple's engagement and dreamy wedding were also documented throughout a whole season of Born This Way. But after the cameras stopped rolling, Cristina and Angel reportedly went their separate ways.
Angel Callahan was a constant presence alongside Cristina Sanz on all four seasons of Born This Way. The reality series followed the lives of several young adults with Down syndrome as they pursued careers, relationships, and greater independence.
By the time the show premiered in 2015, Sanz and Callahan had already been together for nearly five years, and their dream of getting married became one of the central storylines of the series. In the Season 1 finale, Callahan officially asked for Sanz's hand during a romantic dinner. The proposal had won over viewers who shipped their relationship from the beginning.
On March 29, 2018, the couple tied the knot in a lavish wedding ceremony. Their Beauty and the Beast-themed wedding, planned by Meghan Clem and Katie Webb, later aired on A&E during Born This Way Season 4. The wedding was attended by the whole cast of the show, and some of them even became Cristina's bridesmaids.
On her big day, Cristina looked ravishing in a white gown with lace details, complete with a veil. The groom also looked sharp in a black suit paired with a burgundy vest and bow tie. After the dreamy wedding, the reality star had told PEOPLE:
"Thanks to Born This Way, I met my best friends, and they were my bridesmaids. I wanted to show everyone that you can have a disability and get married."
Speaking about the milestone at the time, Sanz said she hoped their marriage would inspire others by showing that people with disabilities could pursue the same dreams as anyone else.
Cristina and Angel remained inseparable for nearly a decade, but their marriage reportedly didn't last. Just about three years into the marriage, the couple quietly parted ways in 2021, as per a TMZ report. Family members told the outlet that prolonged isolation and emotional strain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic placed significant pressure on their relationship, ultimately leading to their split.
Neither Sanz nor Callahan publicly discussed additional reasons for the separation, but they may have reconciled later, as the reality star posted about Callahan on her social media, calling him her "husband." In a March 2022 post, the couple had posed together, with Cristina writing in her Instagram caption:
"Tomorrow is our 4 wedding anniversary. Angel works tomorrow so we decided to celebrate it today. On our way to the restaurant."
After Born This Way wrapped, Angel Callahan stepped away from the public spotlight. Unlike Sanz, who occasionally shared updates with him on social media, Callahan has maintained a private life and has largely stayed away from reality television. He is believed to still live in California.
News of Sanz's sudden passing has renewed interest in the couple's story, which remains one of the most memorable relationships featured on Born This Way. Sanz, who last posted on her Instagram back in December 2025, was an inspiring figure on the internet, but there was no update from her in recent months.
Cristina's parents, Mariano and Beatriz Sanz, confirmed the news of her death to TMZ, saying that their daughter died of a heart issue after going into cardiac arrest on Monday, July 6, 2026. Following this, they updated the news on Sanz's Instagram handle on July 8 with a heartfelt note remembering the bright star.
Cristina and Angel had been a true inspiration for millions of viewers with Down syndrome, proving that love and independence know no bounds. Rest in peace, Cristina.
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