Michelle Trachtenberg received a liver transplant shortly before her death at 39: source



Former child star Michelle Trachtenberg has died at age 39.

The Post broke the news on Wednesday, Feb. 26. According to sources, the “Gossip Girl” star underwent a liver transplant shortly before her death.

Her cause of death has not been made clear, but insiders said it’s not being investigated as suspicious.

Michelle Trachtenberg and Sarah Michelle Gellar in 2000. Michelle Trachtenberg/Instagram
Michelle Trachtenberg attends Cadillac Celebrates the 92nd Annual Academy Awards at Chateau Marmont on February 06, 2020. FilmMagic
Penn Badgley and Michelle Trachtenberg in a 2008 episode of “Gossip Girl.” ©CW Network/Courtesy Everett Col

Trachtenberg had numerous memorable roles over the years, including “Harriet the Spy,” “Buffy The Vampire Slayer,” “Gossip Girl” and “Ice Princess.” 

Her mother, Lana Trachtenberg, found Michelle Wednesday around 8 a.m. in her New York City apartment. 

Before her death, the actress sparked health concerns from her Instagram followers about her troubling appearance. 

In recent months, she appeared gaunt in photos, which caused some of her 800,000 Instagram followers to speculate about her health or whether she had gotten plastic surgery. 

Michelle Trachtenberg during Launch of Escada’s Newest Scent, Pacific Paradise in 2006. WireImage for Alison Brod PR
Michelle Trachtenberg in her final photo on Feb. 12, 2025. Instagram/michelletrachtenberg
Leighton Meester and Michelle Trachtenberg on “Gossip Girl” in 2009. ©CW Network/Courtesy Everett Collection

Last January, Trachtenberg responded to fan concerns saying she was “happy and healthy” and had never had plastic surgery.

That month, Trachtenberg posted a selfie. “Snake it to make it,” she wrote in the caption

“Concerned for yellow in your eyes but other than that you are a QUEEN and you’re a wonderful human being who deserves love and joy,” one commenter wrote. 

Yellow eyes can be a symptom of liver problems. 

Sarah Michelle Gellar and Michelle Trachtenberg, in “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” in 2000. ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection
Michelle Trachtenberg attends the Victoria’s Secret fashion show at The Armory on November 19, 2009. FilmMagic
Selfie of Michelle Trachtenberg from Jan 26, 2025. Michelle Trachtenberg/Instagram

Another fan accused her of getting plastic surgery. “You’re stunning, but you had buccal fat removal. Your cheeks suddenly look sucked in, exactly the same way the buccal fat removal in the face/cheeks does to people. You’ve always been beautiful and still are and there’s nothing wrong with getting surgery, but why lie about it?”

In January 2024, Trachtenberg clapped back in an Instagram post. 

“Fun fact. This is my face,” she wrote in a caption alongside a selfie. 

“Not malnutrition no problems. Why do you have to hate? Get a calendar,” she wrote.





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