A fitness influencer has died with Covid-19 after calling it a hoax

A 33-year-old Ukrainian influencer who denied the existence of Covid-19 has died. Father-of-three Dmitriy Stuzhuk died days after posting that he was living with the illness and that his status was stable. His ex-wife and the mother of his children confirmed the news on Instagram, posting: "only warm memories remain, three beautiful kids and valuable experience." Who was Dmitriy Stuzhuk? Dmitriy Stuzhuk made a career out of promoting healthy living via his social media channels. At the time of his death he had amassed over one million followers. The 33-year-old regularly posted promotions for gym brand, GymBeam. He said that he had previously not believed in the existence of Covid-19. What happened to Dmitriy Stuzhuk? During a visit to Turkey, Stuzhuk says that he began experiencing symptoms, including a swollen neck and difficulty breathing. On his return to the Ukraine he was hospitalised, following a positive coronavirus test. He spent eight days in hospital before he was discharged, but returned later due to heart complications. Ex-partner Sofia, posted that Dmitriy was having "problems with his cardiovascular system... his heart is not coping". She added: "His state is extremely grave. No-one can do anything with this. "I did everything I could so the father of my three children lives. But nothing depends on me now." She later announced that the father of her children had died. During his illness Stuzhuk warned about the dangers of Covid-19 having previously denied its existence. He said: "I want to share how I got sick and to strongly warn everyone. "I was one who thought that Covid does not exist...until I got sick. "COVID-19 IS NOT A SHORT-LIVED DISEASE! And it is heavy." In a post confirming his death, Sofia Stuzhuk wrote: “For the rest of my life I will remain grateful to you for our three beautiful children.” “For all the invaluable experience. And for who I have become with you.” Ms Stuzhuk also suggested that she had tried to take the virus more seriously. “God, I am so sad that you didn’t listen to me about your health,” she wrote. “But we always respected each other’s choices. “We were no longer together, but it hurts me no less.”