The two-time contestant has opened up about her rare diagnosis.

MasterChef’s Amina Elshafei has revealed she’s been diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease. Photos: Instagram/aminaelshafei

MasterChef fan favourite Amina Elshafei has revealed that she has been privately suffering from a rare autoimmune condition for the past 18 months. The cookbook author and paediatric nurse, who competed on season 4 and season 12, took to Instagram this week to share that she had been diagnosed with myasthenia gravis.

Myasthenia gravis is a condition in which antibodies attack the communication between nerves and muscle, causing muscle weakness and difficulties with speech and chewing. Amina told her followers that she first noticed physical changes to her body in mid-to-late 2023 when it became “incredibly difficult” to get out of bed, and was soon referred to a neurologist.

“To hear the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis, it’s not degenerative; however, it’s incredibly debilitating. The hardest part of getting the diagnosis is the knowledge that myasthenia gravis has no cure,” she explained.

Amina shared that she has undergone a series of different treatments over the past year and a half and is currently feeling “a lot better”.

“The energy is a lot better, my weakness is improved, and I just feel overall that the medication is definitely working,” she continued.

“You know your body more than anybody else. If you know something is not right, get it checked out. Go see the right people, the right medical professionals, to find out what is going on, and please seek the treatment that you need. Don’t leave it too late.”

Amina explained that myasthenia gravis has no cure. Photo: Instagram/aminaelshafei

‘You are a fighter’

Amina’s post has been flooded with supportive messages, including her season 4 co-star and current contestant Audra Morrice, who wrote: “So glad you are better my friend. Been a tough one!”

“Sorry to hear this news sis. Sending healing vibes and love your way,” Mindy Woods added, while Sarah Tiong said, “Ohhh my love! So much love and power to you!”.

“Thank you for sharing. You are a fighter – you will get through this!” one follower shared, with someone else commenting, “Sorry to hear this news, Amina. Sending lots of love and hugs. Thank you for letting us know”.

Amina was the first Muslim contestant on MasterChef Australia and became known for her unique take on Middle Eastern dishes. She finished in 11th place on season four and returned for ‘Back To Win’ in 2020, where she came 17th.

Amina released her first cookbook, ‘Amina’s Home Cooking’, in 2015, and regularly appears on breakfast TV to give cooking demonstrations.