Leo Gillick
The world lost a musical legend with the announcement of D’Angelo’s death. The singer had been struggling with his health for several months leading up to his death.
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Despite being considered among the greatest voices in R&B, D’Angelo hadn’t been seen in public for some time. He retired from performances and hadn’t released an album since 2015. But that in no way meant he had slipped into obscurity for new or old fans. He was an ever-present musician on the scene, and his contributions was always relevant.
Recluse: D’Angelo had a music manager up until his death on Tuesday, Oct. 14, at the age of 51. However, he had stopped performing many years before. He struggled deeply, in his final years, with anxiety and self-image issues. A source close to D’Angelo said they were a recluse leading up to their death.
- Speaking to People, an insider explained how D’Angelo’s mental health was affected. “D’Angelo was very eccentric; he had a manager, but he wouldn’t work.” Continuing, they explain, “He never was comfortable being a sex symbol, but also he didn’t like people seeing him on his heavier side, so he was always really conflicted.”
- “He battled with his weight. The chiseled machismo man that people fell in love with wasn’t his natural aesthetic. He was naturally a bigger guy.”
Despite being considered a recluse, D’Angelo wasn’t alone at his time of death. He was surrounded by loved ones in his final moments.
D’Angelo’s Cause of Death
In the end, D’Angelo died from a months-long battle with pancreatic cancer at the age of 51. His family was around him at his time of passing. Despite spending his final years as a recluse, he didn’t go alone.
- “[D’Angelo] was in hospice for two weeks but had been in the hospital for months,” a source told The Post. “His son was there with him and had been with him in the hospital.”
Later, his family released a statement announcing the death of the famed R&B star, D’Angelo.
- “The shining star of our family has dimmed his light for us in this life … After a prolonged and courageous battle with cancer, we are heartbroken to announce that Michael D’Angelo Archer, known to his fans around the world as D’Angelo, has been called home, departing this life today.”
