TikTok’s beloved internet grandmother, popularly known as Grandma Mary, has died, her granddaughter announced on Friday, January 2.
According to her granddaughter, Pyxie, who shared the news with her 1.4 million followers on TikTok, Grandma Mary passed away peacefully in her sleep on New Year’s Eve. “How lucky we are to have experienced her and her love. She will always be with us,” Pyxie wrote.
Grandma Mary won the hearts of millions through Pyxie’s TikTok videos, where she was often featured carrying out simple daily activities, sharing gentle humour and offering comfort with her warm smile. Her calm presence and affectionate personality quickly made her a fan favourite, with many viewers embracing her as a virtual grandmother.
In 2025, Pyxie’s prolonged absence from the platform sparked concern among fans. She later returned in December to reassure followers that her grandmother was alive but living more quietly, describing the experience as deeply meaningful.
Born in Massachusetts in 1927 to Armenian parents who fled the Armenian genocide, Grandma Mary spent part of her early life in Armenia, where she married and raised a family. She and her husband later returned to the United States in 1966, settling in New Jersey, where they built a successful gas station business.
She was the last surviving sibling in a family of five and remained active well into her later years, swimming regularly until the age of 87.
Grandma Mary died at the age of 98, leaving behind a lasting legacy of love, resilience and joy that resonated with millions across social media.
