Los Angeles, July 2024 – Shannen Doherty, the iconic star of “Beverly Hills, 90210,” whose life and career were marked by illness and tabloid stories, has died at the age of 53. The actress passed away after a long battle with breast cancer, according to a statement from her publicist, Leslie Sloane.
“The devoted daughter, sister, aunt, and friend was surrounded by her loved ones as well as her dog, Bowie. The family asks for their privacy at this time so they can grieve in peace,” Sloane said on Sunday. The news was first reported by People magazine.
Doherty’s illness became publicly known through a 2015 lawsuit she filed against her former business managers, accusing them of mismanaging her money and allowing her health insurance to lapse. She later shared intimate details of her treatment, including a single mastectomy. In December 2016, she posted a photo of her first day of radiation therapy, describing the experience as “frightening.”
In February 2020, Doherty revealed that her cancer had returned and she was at stage four. She said she disclosed her condition because she feared her health issues would come out in court. Doherty had sued insurance giant State Farm after her California home was damaged in a 2018 fire.
“I have no idea how long I’m going to be on the chemo for. … That’s not something that I can predict, it’s not something my doctors can predict. And it’s scary, it’s like a big wake-up call,” Doherty said in a late June episode of her podcast “Let’s Be Clear.” She added that recent changes in her cancer cells meant there were new treatment protocols to try. “For the first time in a couple of months probably, I feel hopeful because there are so many more protocols now, and I think the hope is that … but I was still getting prepared.”
Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Doherty moved to Los Angeles with her family at a young age and quickly became an actor. She rose to fame as Brenda Walsh on “Beverly Hills, 90210,” a role that earned her a Teen Choice Award and cemented her place in pop culture. Doherty also starred in the supernatural drama “Charmed” and other television and film projects.
In addition to her acting career, Doherty was an advocate for cancer awareness, sharing her journey with fans and raising awareness about the disease. She was a symbol of strength and resilience to many who followed her story.
Credit:apnews.com
