Ruce Nuenda Profile: Viral Parenting Influencer Amid Measles Controversy

Ruce Nuenda Permata Dije, better known to millions of followers as ‘Mama Ebra’, is a content creator from Semarang who was born on 12 September 1997. Before gaining popularity on TikTok and Instagram, Ruce worked as a barista and later as a wedding organiser staff. Her rise as an influencer accelerated from 2021 through candid, relatable everyday content as a single mother. Her interactions with her son, Ebrahim Narayana Wiratama (Ebra), became a key draw for young mothers across Indonesia.

Key Information: Ruce Nuenda has around 2 million followers on Instagram and is widely known for her blunt manner of speaking.

On 4 March 2026, Ruce posted a moment of her exercising outdoors on Instagram Story. In the clip she displayed a red rash on her skin and claimed to be suffering from measles. However, staying in a public space drew sharp criticism from netizens, who noted that measles is highly airborne.

Netizens worried that her actions could put vulnerable groups at risk, such as unvaccinated babies or pregnant women who could face serious complications if infected.

In response to the backlash, Ruce issued a public apology. She argued that she did not fully understand the risk of measles transmission and believed that because her doctor did not require hospitalisation, she was allowed to carry on with normal activities while she felt well.

‘I realise that I should not have left the house, not even for exercise. Honestly, I only fully understood after being admonished by all my friends,’ she wrote in a clarification.

The case serves as an important reminder for social media opinion leaders that popularity comes with great responsibility, particularly in relation to public health.