Newborn Daughter of Country Musician Drake White Dies Shortly After Birth: ‘We Are Heartbroken’

White and his wife, Alex, announced their daughter died after being born at 29 weeks. The couple said in May that they were expecting following IVF treatments.

Drake (R) and Alex White attends the 2016 CMT Music awards at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., on June 8, 2016. Mike Coppola/Getty Images for CMT

Country singer-songwriter Drake White and his wife, Alex White, are mourning the loss of their newborn daughter, Della Elizabeth, who died on Aug. 31.

The couple announced the news in a joint social media post on Sept. 7, sharing their daughter died 20 minutes after being born prematurely, at 29 weeks.

“On Sunday, August 31st our precious daughter, Della Elizabeth White, went peacefully to be with Jesus,” reads the Instagram post.

“We are so thankful for the holy moments God gave us with her. The Lord has been so near and close to us during this difficult time. He has held us up and sustained us through it all.”

Della weighed 3 pounds, 3 1/2 ounces when she passed.

“We are heartbroken and soul tired, but we know we will get through this difficult time with the strength, peace, and joy that only our Heavenly Father can provide,” the post continued. “May Della be held in the arms of Jesus until we see her again someday.”

The couple, who tied the knot in 2014, also have a 2-year-old son, William Hawk White. In May, they shared the news that they were expecting their second child following years of fertility struggles.

“Hawk’s big brother duties are about to begin!” the couple told People magazine at the time. “We’re excited to welcome a baby girl to our family this November.”

The Whites were able to conceive through in vitro fertilization (IVF), after having an embryo transfer in March. IVF is a process in which a fertilized egg is combined with sperm in a laboratory, before being implanted into the woman’s uterus to initiate pregnancy.

In 2022, the couple explained that for six years prior to William’s birth, they had trouble conceiving with the two suffering from other health issues that were also contributing factors.

“We’ve been through so much,” the musician told People in a separate interview. “From my having a stroke on stage to Alex being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and having an autoimmune disorder. And then this was just something else that tested our faith and tested our strength.”

Best known for his hits “Makin‘ Me Look Good Again,” “Mix ’Em With Whiskey,” and “Power of a Woman,” the Country star collapsed on stage in 2019 due to a hemorrhagic stroke and defied the odds by performing again post-recovery.

A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures and causes bleeding into the surrounding tissue. Failure to receive immediate treatment can pose fatal to individuals who suffer from this type of stroke.

The artist is embarking on his “The Optimystic” tour beginning in September and continues to use his platform to raise awareness for brain health through his second annual charity concert “Benefit for the Brain.”

Through the event, White hopes to help individuals and families impacted by brain injuries, along with supporting research, treatment, and wellness options.