Fans and friends from the world of entertainment were left devastated in 2009, when Hollywood icon Farrah Fawcett died at the age of 62 years old.
The Charlies Angels star was diagnosed with cancer in 2006, and shared her experience of living with the disease in the documentary This Is Farrah Fawcett, to raise awareness.
Her friends and family have since shared their memories of the star, including her heartbreaking final words, and the lasting legacy that she left on the world.
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Details of her will have also been released since her death, with Farrah reported to have left more than £3.6m from her incredible career.
Eye-watering fortune
(Image: Getty Images)
Farrah Fawcett is one of the world’s most iconic actresses, having risen to fame in TV series including The Six Million Dollar Man and Harry O, along with films such as Logan’s Run.
However, she was most famous for playing Jill Munroe in hit series Charlies Angels, alongside co-stars Kate Jackson and Jaclyn Smith, in 1976.
The actress became an instant fan favourite, with Farrah winning a People’s Choice Award for Favourite Performer in a New TV Programme.
(Image: Snap/REX/Shutterstock)
Farrah left Charlies Angels after one series and was replaced by Cheryl Lad, who played Jill Monroe’s younger sister, but returned for guest appearances between 1978 to 1980.
From there she made a series of guest appearances as herself on shows such as The Brady Bunch, as well as taking on roles in The Burning Bad, Ally McBeal, Spin City and Hollywood Wives: The New Generation – to name a few.
The actress also posed for Playboy Magazine in 1995.
It is no surprise then that with such a stellar career, Farrah was reported to have an eye-watering fortune of $4.5m (£3.6m) at the time of her death.
Cancer battle
(Image: Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image)
In 2006, Farrah Fawcett was diagnosed with anal cancer at the age of 58 years old.
The actress underwent surgery to remove a tumour and doctors declared her in remission in 2007.
In the same year, the star launched The Farrah Fawcett Foundation, which funds HPV-related cancer research, prevention and education, and provides patient assistance for those in need.
However, Farrah’s cancer returned and was diagnosed at stage 4 later in 2007, with doctors informing the star that the disease had spread to her liver.
(Image: Bei/REX/Shutterstock)
She subsequently underwent treatment including laser surgery and chemotherapy, after nine tumours were discovered on her liver, with Farrah saying in the documentary This Is Farrah Fawcett: “In September 2006 I heard three words I thought I would never hear – malignant, tumour and anal.”
She added that in 2007: “That’s when I heard the fourth word I never thought I would hear – recurrence,” saying: “Suddenly there were nine tumours in my liver.”
The actress began to document her cancer treatment in a video diary, with the star later turning the project into the documentary to highlight the need for early detection and more research into the disease.
(Image: WireImage)
Farrah and her close friend Alana Stewart filmed the documentary, which was broadcast in 2009.
She explained that Farrah was committed to raising awareness of cancer and sharing every aspect of her personal experience, with Alana explaining that the actress never wanted the camera to stop rolling.
Alana told ABC news that Farrah would say: “No. This is what cancer is. Film it.”
Her friend added: “Farrah was the Golden Girl to everyone so it was such a shock, to the whole world, when she got cancer.
“It kind of goes to show you that you know, cancer doesn’t play favorites.”
Farrah’s Charlies Angels co-star Jaclyn Smith also recalled that Farrah would share every part of her experience of living with cancer in order to raise awareness, saying: “You know how people put up walls of politeness or they don’t talk about this, or they don’t talk about that. Everything was out on the table.”
She added: “I saw a person that just fought for life and fought to be here for her family, her loved ones.”
Heartbreaking last words
(Image: Sipa/REX/Shutterstock)
Farrah’s close friends shared the actress’ heartbreaking last words, as they revealed that she was worried about her son Redmond in her final days.
The star welcomed son Redmond with long term partner Ryan O’Neal in 1985, with their son going on to become a voice actor for productions such as Love Don’t Cost a Thing, The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars and Johnny Bravo.
However, Redmond had previously battled addiction and at the time of Farrah’s death was in prison following drug charges.
(Image: Getty Images)
Vanity Fair reported that he visited his mum in hospital during an organised visit, and was a pallbearer at her funeral.
Mela Murphy, who was at Farrah’s side at St.John’s Health Centre, Los Angeles, told People Magazine: “She was saying his name, ‘Redmond’.
“That was the last thing she said.”
She added: “I told her I’d take care of him, that I’ll always be there for him. I said, ‘You can go now.’
“It was just a few hours before she died.”
Tragic death and tributes
(Image: Kobal/REX/Shutterstock)
Farrah died on June 25, 2009 at the age of 62 years old.
Her death was announced in a statement by Ryan O’Neal, saying: “After a long and brave battle with cancer, our beloved Farrah has passed away.
“Although this is an extremely difficult time for her family and friends, we take comfort in the beautiful times that we shared with Farrah over the years and the knowledge that her life brought joy to so many people around the world.”
Farrah’s Charlies Angels co-stars paid tribute to the actress following her death, with Cheryl Ladd saying: “I’m terribly sad about Farrah’s passing. She was incredibly brave, and God will be welcoming her with open arms.”
(Image: Corbis via Getty Images)
Kate Jackson added: “I will miss Farrah every day. She was a selfless person who loved her family and friends with all her heart, and what a big heart it was.
“Farrah showed immense courage and grace throughout her illness and was an inspiration to those around her. When I think of Farrah I will remember her kindness, her cutting dry wit and, of course, her beautiful smile.”
Farrah’s ex-husband and Six Million Dollar Man co-star Lee Majors also paid a heartfelt tribute, saying in a statement: “She fought a tremendous battle against a terrible disease. She was an angel on earth and now an angel forever.”
Will and ex-partner ‘snub’
(Image: PA)
ABC News reported that Radar Online gained an exclusive copy of Farrah Fawcett’s will, which stated that she left $4.5m (£3.6m).
The majority of the fortune was to be left to her son Redmond, with the remainder of her estate to be split between her nephew Gregory Walls and her father James Fawcett, who each received $500,000.
She also left $100,000 to her ex-lover Gregory Lawrence Lott.
However, despite being her long term partner for more than three decades, and father to her son Redmond, the documents did not state that any money was to be left to Ryan O’Neal.
ABC News stated that Ryan O’Neal’s representatives declined a request for a comment.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
