Jonathan Mendelsohn
Legendary actress Raquel Welch, who was known for appearing in many old-school Hammer films, sadly died on February 15 at the age of 82. Now, her cause of death has been revealed, as well as her previously untalked-about struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.
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TMZ recently posted the Fantastic Voyage star’s death certificate, which stated that the actress ultimately died from cardiac arrest, but that Alzheimer’s disease was also an underlying cause of her death. The news of Welch’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis has never been revealed to the public until now. At the time of her death, it was reported that Welch died after a “brief illness.” Other information from Welch’s death certificate revealed that she died at 2:25 AM and was cremated shortly after.
The Death of an Icon
At the time of the actresses’ death, Welch’s representative, Steve Sauer, told ET, “The legendary bombshell actress of film, television and stage, passed away peacefully early [Wednesday] morning after a brief illness. The 82 year-old actress burst into Hollywood in her initial roles in ‘One Million Years B.C.’ and ‘Fantastic Voyage’. Her career spanned over 50 years starring in over 30 films and 50 television series and appearances. The Golden Globe winner, in more recent years, was involved in a very successful line of wigs. Raquel leaves behind her two children, son Damon Welch and her daughter, Tahnee Welch.”
Welch first broke onto the scene with her iconic role in the 1966 sci-fi film, Fantastic Voyage, establishing her star status. Welch went on to star in several other well-regarded titles in the 60s and 70s, including Bedazzled, Myra Breckinridge, The Last of Sheila, The Wild Party, and Mother, Jugs & Speed.
Welch won a Golden Globe in 1974 for appearing in The Three Musketeers and was also nominated for another Golden Globe in 1987 for the television film Right to Die. Welch was named one of the “100 Sexiest Stars in Film History” by Empire and came in at number 3 for Playboy’s “100 Sexiest Stars of the Twentieth Century” list.
