Helen Van Winkle, known as influencer Baddie Winkle, dies at 97

Helen Van Winkle, the flamboyantly dressed great-grandmother who transformed herself into a social media influencer known as Baddie Winkle, has died at age 97

Helen Van Winkle, the flamboyantly dressed great-grandmother who transformed herself into a social media influencer known as Baddie Winkle, has died at age 97.

Van Winkle’s great-granddaughter announced her death Friday on Instagram, writing, "Yesterday, an era ended and a star ascended. My great grandmother Helen Ruth Elam Vanwinkle danced her way to heaven. She was joy, rebellion, and tenderness wrapped in one."

"The crown is eternal, & her love on many realms will live forever. This isn’t a goodbye, this is a See ya later my superstar," Van Winkle’s granddaughter added.

The tribute gave her date of death as Thursday.

A cause of death for Van Winkle, whose Instagram bio cheekily reads “Stealing yo man since 1928,” was not given.