Shark attack survivor speaks publicly, shares recovery update

Leah Stewart, a 34-year-old Australian schoolteacher, has spoken publicly for the first time since surviving a severe shark attack, crediting thoughts of her young daughter with giving her the will to fight for her life. Stewart was attacked by a suspected great white shark while swimming near the shore at Sydney's Coogee Beach on June 13, 2026.

The attack left Stewart with life-threatening injuries, including multiple bites to her arms and legs. She was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, where she was placed in a medically induced coma for nearly two weeks and underwent several surgeries. One of her arms was ultimately amputated. In an emotional interview aired this weekend, Stewart recalled the terrifying encounter. "Its face was horrific," she said. "I will never forget. It was a monster." She described how the thought of her daughter, August, motivated her to survive. "I just thought of August. And I thought shes not going to have a mum. I couldnt handle that. I did not want her to grow up without a mum," Stewart said. "I just thought, Ive got to fight it and do everything I can to be here."

In her first public update since the incident, posted on her GoFundMe...