Ellen DeGeneres is mourning the loss of a young fan she affectionately referred to as her “only boyfriend,” Tayt Andersen, who passed away at the age of 19 on Friday, September 26. Andersen’s extraordinary life was marked by resilience, courage, and a deep connection to the talk show host who frequently welcomed him on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Born with a congenital heart defect—commonly referred to as having “half a heart”—Andersen underwent 12 surgeries by the age of nine. Despite these early challenges, he maintained a spirited presence, appearing on Ellen’s show several times over the years and winning the hearts of viewers with his humor, optimism, and indomitable spirit. Following a heart transplant, Andersen faced yet another devastating health challenge when he was later diagnosed with cancer, a battle he fought with the same determination that had defined his life from childhood.

In a video message shared shortly after news of Andersen’s death broke, DeGeneres, 67, reflected on the young man’s enduring impact. “We had a very special guest on the show several times, and his name is Tayt,” she began, her voice tinged with grief. “He thought that I was his girlfriend, and so I told him he was my boyfriend, which shocked my wife. But he was a very special little human being, and just brought joy and life and laughter into every room that he was in.”

DeGeneres concluded her tribute by expressing her personal sense of loss: “I will miss him.” The video then transitioned into a montage of Tayt’s appearances on her show, highlighting moments of laughter, playfulness, and the unmistakable bond between the young fan and the host.

Fans and viewers quickly took to social media to honor Andersen’s memory, sharing clips of his appearances and reflecting on the courage he displayed throughout his life. Many described him as an inspiration, a reminder of the strength and resilience of children and young adults facing severe medical challenges.

Andersen’s story is a testament not only to his personal courage but also to the ways in which public figures and media platforms can forge meaningful connections with young people navigating extraordinary hardships. Through his appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Tayt Andersen left a lasting impression on audiences nationwide, demonstrating a spirit that was unbowed even in the face of repeated medical adversity.

As DeGeneres and her fans mourn the young man’s passing, the legacy of his resilience, warmth, and humor endures—a reminder of the profound impact that one small life can have on many.

Family Pays Tribute as Tayt Andersen Passes at 19

Chrissy Becker, Tayt Andersen’s mother, responded to Ellen DeGeneres’ tribute with heartfelt gratitude, emphasizing the meaningful bond her son shared with the talk show host. “We love you so much,” Becker wrote. “Thank you for being his girlfriend—you gave him so much strength .”

Earlier on September 26, Andersen’s family shared the heartbreaking news of his passing on his Instagram account. Accompanied by a series of black-and-white photos capturing tender moments between Tayt and his mother, the post offered both a reflection on his courage and a bittersweet acknowledgment of relief from lifelong suffering.

“Our hearts are absolutely shattered as we share the news we never wanted to write: Our sweet, strong warrior, Tayt, was released from his bodily prison early this morning, at 1:30 a.m. CT, surrounded by the fierce love of his family,” the caption read. “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.”

The family’s statement underscores both the profound love and the immense struggles that marked Andersen’s life. Born with half a heart and having endured more than a dozen surgeries before the age of 10, Tayt’s journey also included a heart transplant and a later battle with cancer. Despite these challenges, he remained a bright presence, touching the lives of viewers, loved ones, and public figures alike.

Through the Instagram tribute, Andersen’s family celebrated not only his strength but also the enduring legacy of his courage and spirit—a life that, though tragically brief, left a lasting imprint on those who knew him and the countless fans who followed his story.

Family Shares Final Moments and Heartfelt Tribute Following Tayt Andersen’s Passing

In the heartfelt Instagram post announcing Tayt Andersen’s death, his family painted a moving portrait of the young man’s courage, kindness, and the profound impact he had on those around him. “Tayt was loved by so many, and he impacted countless lives with his incredible smile, his quiet strength, his kindness, and his beautiful love,” the statement read.

The post detailed Andersen’s final days, explaining that his health had taken a sudden turn after an infection. “Last weekend, after taking a turn for the worse due to an infection, Tayt fought one last battle. He was so alert and responsive on Sunday, but by the night, he was in pain. After a long night, he finally found peace and drifted off to sleep around 4:00 a.m. Monday. He remained asleep and unresponsive, resting comfortably, until he passed away peacefully early this morning,” the family wrote.

They described the final day spent surrounding Tayt with love and care. “Yesterday, we spent the day calling and FaceTiming family so they could say their goodbyes. We made sure to get his handprint—a small way to hold on to him—we watched his favorite movies, read his favorite stories. We knew Tayt’s time was limited but we honestly just weren’t ready to lose him,” the post continued, offering a deeply personal glimpse into the family’s final moments together.

The statement concluded with a plea for privacy and grace during their mourning: “Please keep Chrissy, Tayt, and our family in your thoughts and prayers as we navigate this crushing grief. There are truly no words to describe this pain; we are just moving through this painful process, grateful for every moment we had with our amazing boy. Please give us grace during this time.”

Through the family’s words, Tayt Andersen’s life emerges not merely as a story of medical struggle but as a testament to resilience, love, and the human spirit. From his courageous journey living with a congenital heart defect and cancer to the joy he brought to television audiences and the enduring love of his family, Tayt leaves a legacy of compassion and strength that will be remembered by all who were touched by his life.

According to a GoFundMe page set up in his honor, Tayt Andersen was born with only half a heart and underwent 12 major surgeries by the age of nine. At ten, he received a life-saving heart transplant, yet his health struggles continued when he was later diagnosed with post-transplant lymphoma during his teenage years.

In 2024, at 18, Andersen faced another devastating diagnosis: bladder cancer. By June 2025, the disease had spread to his pelvis, spine, abdomen, chest, and neck, with doctors giving him just three to four months to live.

Andersen first appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in January 2013, capturing national attention when the comedian affectionately declared him her “only boyfriend” after learning he had referred to her as his “girlfriend.” During their initial video call, Andersen told DeGeneres, “I love you,” cementing a heartfelt bond between the two.

Later that month, he joined DeGeneres for an in-person episode, and he continued making appearances over the years. One particularly memorable visit came in 2015, when Andersen proudly announced to the audience, “I got myself a new heart!” — a testament to his resilience and enduring spirit.