The author died after her battle with pancreatic and liver cancer in early January. Her partner, Eat, Pray, Love author Elizabeth Gilbert, confirmed the sad news in a heartbreaking post on Instagram, writing, "Thank you for letting me walk with you right to the edge of the river. It has been the greatest honour of my life. I would tell you to rest in peace, but I know that you always found peace boring." Rayya was 57.