Andrea Andrade, a California beauty queen, has passed away after a nine-year battle with colon cancer. She died on January 16, surrounded by love, after fighting the disease with extraordinary strength and grace.
Diagnosed in 2017 with stage 3 colon cancer, Andrea was told she had only months to live. Instead, she defied the odds for nearly a decade. Even as her cancer later returned and advanced to stage 4, she refused to let it define her life.
Her husband, Chris Wilson, shared a heartbreaking tribute, calling her his “eternal love” and thanking her for changing his life. The two spent eight years together, including two as husband and wife.
Beyond her pageant titles — including Miss West Coast and Miss Fresno County — Andrea devoted herself to helping others. Inspired by children she met during treatment, she co-founded Not All Heroes Wear Capes, visiting hospitalized kids dressed as superheroes to bring them joy.
Though she briefly went into remission, her health declined late last year. She spent her final days surrounded by family after cancer spread aggressively.
Andrea first noticed symptoms at 26, including severe pain and bleeding, which were initially mistaken for other conditions. By the time doctors discovered the cancer, it was already advanced.
Despite everything, those closest to her say one thing never changed: she never stopped fighting.
Andrea is survived by her husband, parents, and three brothers — and remembered for her strength, kindness, and unbreakable spirit.