Farewell, Hope: The Albino Turtle With an Exposed Heart Who Touched Millions 💔

Hope, a beloved albino pinkbelly sideneck turtle who was born with an exposed heart, has died.

The turtle quickly became an online sensation after her owner, Michael Aquilina, began sharing her story online in November 2018. Nearly six years later, Aquilina, who goes by AquaMike on Instagram, had the devastating task of announcing her death to his 394,000 followers.

“I love you Hope. I will miss you forever. I feel broken without you. Thank you for making my life worth living. I wouldn’t still be here if you never came into my life. Because of you a lot of people have hope, you’ve brought joy and positivity and strength to so many,” Aquilina wrote in an Instagram tribute to Hope, who died on Sunday, Aug. 11.

When a turtle named Hope was born with an exposed heart, no one expected her to make it — but for years, she lived up to her name by defying all the odds and inspiring people around the world.

Sadly, this precious turtle has now passed away 😢💔 Read Hope’s story and the heartwarming tribute from her owner:

Hope, an albino Pinkbelly Sideneck turtle, was born in 2018 with an extremely rare condition in which her heart was on the outside of her shell. The anomaly is so rare that there isn’t even a name for it when it occurs in animals.

Mike Aquilina took in Hope from a friend who is a turtle breeder. It was hoped that Aquilina could give the fragile little turtle her best chance of survival.