Kelis' Husband Mike Mora Dies At 37 After Cancer Battle
Photographer Mike Mora, who quietly married Kelis in 2014, died on Monday after battling stage four stomach cancer.
Kelis' husband of eight years, Mike Mora, has died after a lengthy battle with stage four stomach cancer. Following an announcement of the 37-year-old's death, Mora received an outpouring of tributes on social media. On Monday, actor and musician Evan Ross shared a black-and-white portrait of of Mora.
"We lost a brother Yesterday. We will truly miss you Mike. Thinking of some of the great times we all spent together," Ross wrote.
"You and @naztokio recording me at @dallasaustins studio in atlanta. First time I had ever really recording a record in the studio. You made it feel easy and safe. Everything I saw you do. Was built in passion. I loved connecting again with you."
Dallas Austin also shared an Instagram post with a brief caption: "All i can say is that we LOVE YOU DEARLY Mikey ."
Photographer Brian Bowen Smith also made a post about Mora, calling him "the sweetest guy" he had ever met.
"Saddened to hear the news about our dear friend Mike passing away last night. Working with you was such a pleasure. I loved all of your questions and your passion for your family and photography. Reminds me of me. Sending love to his wife and family," Smith wrote. "Mike had been sick for a minute but he loved being on set. Today we will be thinking of you at every frame. Great example of why you need to live every day to the fullest. And be great full [sic] for every day your [sic] here."
In September 2021, Mora began chronicling his stomach cancer progression, from experiencing "the worst pain" in his stomach and loss of appetite to lymph nodes spreading in his back.
"I thought the whole time that I just had an ulcer. With no idea what was about to come my way," Mora explained. "Here I was, in a hospital bed, during the middle of the pandemic. All alone."
After undergoing an endoscopic biopsy, Mora was diagnosed with gastric adenocarcinoma, or stomach cancer stage four. Mora shared his hopes of making a full recovery.
"I am posting this, after so much thought. not because I want people to feel bad or sorry for me and my family. I am posting this because life is full of the most unexpected situations," he wrote. ""I never thought this could happen to me. At just 36, with 3 kiddos, and a wife that loves me. I want to be able to help those that might experience something, maybe, hopefully. By showing that it’s possible to make it through."
Mora is survived by his wife Kelis, their one-year-old daughter and six-year-old son, Shepherd. Kelis's eldest son, 12-year-old Knight, is shared with her ex-husband Nas.