Heartbreaking new blow for grieving family of brave teen nicknamed the ‘miracle girl’ by controversial brain surgeon Charlie Teo
The mother of a terminally ill teenage girl whose brave fight for life captured the hearts of Australians has sadly lost her own battle with cancer.
Perth ‘miracle girl’ Milli Lucas died from a rare form of brain cancer in January 2021, just four weeks after she celebrated her 14th birthday.
Two years later, her mum Monica Smirk was diagnosed with a terminal melanoma shortly after being diagnosed with inoperable tumours on her back.
It was her fourth cancer diagnosis, which Ms Smirk succumbed to on Monday surrounded by her husband Grant, daughter Tess and son Joel.
The family live with a rare genetic condition called Li-Fraumeni syndrome, which carries a lifetime risk of many types of cancer.
Ms Smirk’s brother, niece and nephew also previously died of cancer.
‘With sadness in our hearts, we wish to let you know, Millie’s mum, the beautiful Monica came to rest in peace, 7 April 2025,’ a Facebook post from the family read.
‘Monica was surrounded by her beloved family, holding her, talking to her, loving her, as she took her final breath.
Milli Lucas (pictured), the Perth ‘miracle girl’ died from a rare form of brain cancer in January 2021, just four weeks after she celebrated her 14th birthday
Milli’s mum Monica Smirk (pictured) lost her own battle with cancer on Monday
‘This remarkable woman, with an insatiable quest for genuine love and kindness is now having one hell of a family reunion, dancing with her Milli, Blake, Beau, Wendy and Barry.
‘Please allow Grant, Tess and Joel the space to sit in this immeasurable grief, as they honour their lifelong warrior, forever their greatest protector.’
At the time of her 2023 diagnosis, she told The Sunday Times she knew she had lumps on her back while caring for Milli two years earlier but ‘couldn’t face’ getting a biopsy amid the grief.
Just four months ago, Ms Smirk paid tribute to her late daughter on what would have been her 18th birthday, admitting her heart was ‘torn to bits’.
‘To us Milli, we adore the fourteen years we had with you and look at the memories to bring you back for your day today,’ she wrote.
‘You would have been incredibly beautiful, enjoying life to the full which you did.
‘I wonder if you would have been playing footy, stringing your guitar with songs you put together or surfing.
‘We love you immensely and the pain never dulls of not having you here.
‘Life is cruel so cruel the pain of missing you has no words.’
Milli, pictured with her mum Monica and dad Grant would have just turned 18 and graduated from high school if she was still alive today
Milli was called the ‘miracle girl’ because when her tumour was thought to be inoperable in 2019, the family raised $170,000 for controversial Sydney neurosurgeon Charlie Teo to treat her. Milli is pictured with Dr Teo
Milli was called the ‘miracle girl’ because when her tumour was thought to be inoperable in 2019, the family raised $170,000 for controversial Sydney neurosurgeon Charlie Teo to treat her.
He was well known for performing operations other doctors wouldn’t attempt on patients who were given a death sentence with ‘inoperable’ brain tumours.
The operation removed 98 per cent of the tumour and helped Milli live longer than was expected.
Dr Teo has since been banned from performing surgeries in Australia without written permission after being found guilty of unsatisfactory professional conduct by the Medical Professional Standards Committee.
In November 2020, Ms Smirk revealed that just four weeks after what would be her final surgery, Milli had made a remarkable recovery, saying the family was ‘blown away by her determination and will’.
Weeks later, Milli spent what would be her final birthday watching movies and swimming with friends and enjoyed a rainbow cake.
Her parents admitted at the time that ‘sadness is coming’ with their worst fears realised a month later.
‘Our hearts are broken, our angel is now flying high and the world will never be the same,’ Ms Smirk posted at the time of her daughter’s death.
Milli Lucas and her mother Monica Smirk were massive Fremantle Dockers supporters
‘Baby girl, you were the full package, smart, funny, athletic, beautiful and could sing like an angel.
‘That’s why they took you early. You had all lessons completed.’
She vowed the family would ensure Milli’s legacy would live on forever.
The news of Ms Smirk’s death has led to an outpouring of condolences, with many commenting that she is now ‘reunited’ with her beloved daughter.
‘A woman on a mission driven by love. RIP beautiful lady, you have a place in so many hearts,’ one wrote.
Another added: ‘Sending love at this difficult time… Milli would have been waiting to give her the biggest hug.’
