Dominique Elissa has revealed a heartbreaking update about her mother Odile Faludi’s health after the Aussie model got married to her fiancé Tom Bull in the hospital.
The pair tied the knot at Prince of Wales Hospital on March 7, just two weeks after getting engaged, so the bride, 29, could have the honour of having her ill mother walk her down the aisle.
And earlier this week, Dominique revealed on Instagram her mother died just over a week later, on March 18, following a long battle with stage four cancer.
Sharing a video montage of her mother looking joyful at her daughter’s wedding earlier this month, Dominique wrote: ‘This is heartbreaking and it doesn’t feel real.
‘Less than two weeks ago we celebrated our wedding, and yesterday I had to say goodbye to the most incredible woman who ever walked the planet.
‘My mum has always been my greatest inspiration, fighting with grace, always saying that negativity is worse than cancer.’
Dominique Elissa, 29, has revealed a heartbreaking update about her mother Odile Faludi’s health after the Aussie model got married to her fiancé Tom Bull in the hospital
She continued: ‘She was a glass half full sort of person until her last moments, showing strength and resilience that I truly can’t comprehend. Rest in peace.’
Dominique’s famous friends flooded the comments of the heartbreaking post with messages of love, support and condolences.
The Bachelor star Laura Byrne said: ‘I am so deeply sorry for you and your loss. How special it is to have had a mother who you loved and loved you so much. She will be forever with you.’
Model Elle Ferguson wrote: ‘Sending you so much love. I am so deeply sorry for your loss x.’
‘I’m so sorry Dom,’ influencer Jade Tunchy added, as Married At First Sight star Martha Kalifatidis commented: ‘This is heartbreaking, I’m so sorry. Sending love and strength to you and the family. May she rest in peace.’
Actress and model Laura Dundovic said: ‘I’m so sorry. Sending you guys so much love and strength x.’
Shoe designer Lana Wilkinson wrote: ‘Sending so much love to you and your family. I’m so sorry for your loss.’
AFL WAG Bec Judd commented: ‘I’m so sorry darling. Thinking of you x.’
The pair tied the knot at Prince of Wales Hospital on March 7, just two weeks after getting engaged, so the bride could have the honour of having her ill mother walk her down the aisle
Model Simone Holtznagel added, ‘All of my love to you and your family Dom. I am so sorry for your loss,’ as former Miss Universe Australia Olivia Molly Rogers said: ‘I’m so sorry Dom, sending all my love to you.’
‘Sending love to all,’ wrote PR maven Roxy Jacenko, as Karl Stefanovic’s wife Jasmine Yarbrough commented: ‘So sorry for your loss.’
Other notable friends who left their condolences included Amy Castano, Kayla Itsines, Bella Varelis, Brittany Hockley, Em Davies, Steph Claire Smith, Ruby Tuesday Matthews, Rachel Dillon, and Kath Ebbs.
Dominique and fiancé Tom tied the knot in Prince of Wales Hospital just two weeks after getting engaged.
The Aussie model was forced to move her wedding ceremony to the hospital after her mother Odile’s health began to decline following a stage four cancer diagnosis.
She revealed on Instagram she was initially ‘upset, angry and a mess’ when she received the heartbreaking news, but decided she would stop at nothing to have her mother walk her down the aisle.
Sharing images and video of the bittersweet ceremony with her followers, Dominique and Tom made the best of their union as they celebrated with their families, who met for the first time on the big day.
Dominique spent her day swinging between laughter and tears as she shared heartbreaking videos of her nuptials and her mother’s first look at her wedding dress.
And earlier this week, Dominique revealed on Instagram her mother died just over a week later, on March 18, following a long battle with stage four cancer
One tear-jerking clip saw the model struggling to hold back tears as she hugged her mother in her hospital room.
‘Don’t make me cry,’ Dominique sobbed as her father pressed a kiss to her forehead while her mother slowly pulled herself out of bed.
Odile wore a beautiful turquoise strapless gown for the big day, walking her daughter down the aisle as her husband pushed along her wheelchair.
‘My mum’s dream since I was born was to walk me down the aisle and we did everything to make it happen, even if it meant getting married at the hospital,’ Dominique told her followers.
‘Mum always said the biggest decision you’ll ever make is who you spend the rest of your life with, and that always stuck with me.
‘The most emotional 48 hours of my life. I’m in awe of this incredible woman. It’s international woman’s day as well, and she will forever be my greatest teacher and inspiration.’
Elsewhere, Dominique detailed how heartbroken she first was when she learned she had to have her wedding ceremony at the hospital.
‘When we were told the day before that we had to move our ceremony to the hospital, every part of me didn’t want to do the reception anymore,’ she said.
Sharing a video montage of her mother looking joyful at her daughter’s wedding earlier this month, Dominique wrote: ‘This is heartbreaking and it doesn’t feel real’
‘I was upset, angry and a mess. I took time away to think [about] the decision and realised it was more important than ever that our families could have time to unite and get to know each other,’ she added.
‘I’m so happy we did, and the sun came out to create some magic moments for us.’
Dominique became engaged just two weeks before her wedding when Tom popped the question in Hawkesbury River near Sydney late last month.
The model posted photos and a video of the momentous occasion to Instagram and showed off her stunning engagement ring.
She also shared the sweet story behind the ring—a family heirloom which has been in her family for 100 years.
The ring, which once belonged to her great grandmother, features a huge square cut diamond set in a thick gold band.
‘The ring story. Tom proposed with my great grandma’s ring. My mum gave it to him when he asked for my parent’s blessing,’ she explained at the time.
‘It’s over 100 years old, yet it’s timeless. A family heirloom that I feel so grateful to have for the rest of my life.’
Dominique proudly flaunted the precious piece in several photos as she shared a passionate kiss with her new fiancé.
Tom got down on one knee outside the doors of a beautiful stone guesthouse set in the Australian native bushland of a historic homestead in Ebenezer.
Video footage of the moment showed Tom telling Dominique: ‘You know I love you more than anything in the entire world, don’t you?’
‘I know,’ the model happily replied as she kissed her love, who proceeded to get down on one knee as their dog Crumble stood nearby.
‘Baby, marry me?’ he asked, to which she cried out: ‘Yes, baby!’
As they shared a passionate kiss, Dominique could then be heard laughing as she asked him: ‘Is that why you were crying with my mum?’
Dominique captioned the post with: ’15/02/25—the day my dream man became my forever man.
‘The last few months have been filled with both the lowest and highest moments of my life. With it all Tom has been by my side, through thick and thin.
‘I feel like the luckiest girl on the planet to call you mine
‘Your heart is made of true gold and I cannot wait to start this new chapter with you. You, me and crumble.’
Dominique and Tom began dating around May 2023.
