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Tessa Romero, 50, was declared dead for 24 minutes. What she experienced during that time changed her life and her views on death forever
Tessa described hovering above a building, witnessing her own body below. (Representative Image/News18)
Is there life beyond death? It is a question that has intrigued humanity for centuries, yet remains unanswered. What happens when the heart stops beating, and the body lies still? Most would expect silence but what if there is something more? Tessa Romero, a 50-year-old journalist and sociologist from Andalusia, Spain, claims to have experienced just that. Declared clinically dead for 24 minutes, she returned with a story that is both haunting and deeply moving.
A Journey To Another World
Tessa’s day began like any other. She was taking her daughters to school, surrounded by the ordinary bustle of the morning. Then, without warning, she collapsed and stopped breathing. Her heart ceased to beat, and doctors declared her dead.
For 24 minutes, medical staff battled to revive her. Tessa believed that in that period she had travelled to a realm far beyond this world, where pain, time, and sorrow no longer existed.
A Profound Revelation
Tessa has since authored a book about her near-death experience, offering an extraordinary glimpse into what she calls a realm of peace and clarity. “It was as if a heavy burden had been lifted from my shoulders,” she wrote. She described hovering above a building, witnessing her own body below. “I didn’t realise I was dead. I felt alive—yet invisible to those around me.”
A Change In Perspective
Once sceptical of such experiences, Tessa is now certain what she lived through was real. “That world felt entirely different—time moved slowly, and everything had a deeper meaning,” she said. The experience transformed her fears, replacing them with calm. “I no longer fear death. It’s not an end, but a transition.”
Battling An Unseen Illness
Prior to her collapse, Tessa had been suffering from a rare illness. Despite extensive medical testing, no diagnosis was found. Her physical condition deteriorated rapidly, leading some doctors to suggest that emotional trauma might be the underlying cause. “I was living through the most difficult period of my life,” she explained. “The emotional pain I had buried was emerging through my body.”
After returning from the brink, Tessa’s view of existence shifted dramatically. “I once feared dying, but now I know it’s a peaceful transition,” she said. She now embraces each day with renewed purpose and peace. “I’ve realised we are never truly alone. That is the greatest comfort of all.”
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