Annie Niu, a social media influencer, has gone viral after sharing the emotional story of pretending to be her twin sister, who passed away five years ago, to protect her grandparents from heartbreak. Niu’s sister died of viral meningitis, and the family decided to keep the news a secret, fearing it would be too much for the elderly grandparents to handle. In a TikTok video, Annie revealed that she made holiday calls and maintained the illusion for years, only disclosing the truth to her grandmother on her deathbed this year. “My dad came up with the idea, not to withhold the truth, but to spare them additional heartbreak,” she explained.
The story has sparked mixed reactions online. While many expressed empathy for Niu and her family’s difficult decision, others questioned whether it was right to keep such a significant secret. One user commented, “I hope nothing but the best for this family moving forward,” while another disagreed with the approach, saying, “They had no right to deny the grandparents a chance to say goodbye.” Although Annie’s grandmother passed away knowing the truth, her grandfather is still alive and has yet to receive the news.
Niu’s revelation has touched millions, highlighting the emotional complexities families face when trying to protect their loved ones from pain. “It was a heavy burden to carry,” Niu shared, as she continues to reflect on the impact of their choice.
Her identical twin sister passed 5 years ago and she didn’t have the heart to tell her family. So she pretended to be both.
She just told them recently and they have since removed every single picture of her in their home. pic.twitter.com/GTVbPsgRbd
— Jelly Santos (@MrsJellySantos) December 13, 2024
Source: NDTV
