The news of Shannen Doherty’s passing caught the world by storm and left many mourning. The Charmed star was 53 and battled cancer for the past seven years of her life.
Before her tragic passing, she made a heartbreaking post online.
During her battle with the disease, Doherty often shared updates regarding her health condition. She was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 when she disclosed that she had ‘invasive breast cancer metastatic to at least one lymph node.’
After several surgeries and treatments, the 90210 star experienced remission after her initial cancer diagnosis, but the disease later returned.
In 2020, she shared the devastating news that she had been diagnosed with stage four breast cancer, a severe stage where the cancer spreads to various parts of the body.
In 2023, Doherty confirmed that the cancer had metastasized to her brain and bones, resulting in surgery that removed ‘almost all’ of the brain tumor.
In her final social media post, the actress shared a clip from the Let’s Be Clear podcast on her Instagram page.
“So, you know, for the first time in I have no idea how long, I’m going to be on chemo for I have no idea if it’s going to be, you know, three months or if its going to be six months or if we are going, you know, if after three months if it’s not working if we’re going to change again,” he said in the clip.
“Like, I don’t really, 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 at the same time I got to say that there is some positivity there and the positivity is that because my molecular structure of my cancer cells changed recently.
“It means that there’s a lot more protocols for me to try. So, you know, for the first time in a couple months probably I feel hopeful because there are so many more protocols now.”
“Whereas before I was hopeful but I was still getting prepared.”
Doherty’s death was confirmed yesterday, July 14, by her friend and publicist Leslie Sloane.
“It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of actress Shannen Doherty.
“On Saturday, July 13, she lost her battle with cancer after many years of fighting the disease. 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.”
We are so very sorry for this devastating loss. May she rest in peace.
Carmen Dell’Orefice at 93: How She Overcame Painful Divorces to Reign as the Oldest Supermodel
In a world where early retirement often seems like the ultimate goal, there are those rare individuals who defy this norm by continuing to work passionately well into their later years. One such remarkable individual is Carmen Dell’Orefice, 93, celebrated as the world’s oldest working model. Let’s dive into her extraordinary journey and the lessons we can learn from her enduring career.
From humbling beginning to Vogue fame.
Carmen Dell’Orefice’s story began when she was discovered at the tender age of 13, in 1944. It’s hard to believe that such a fashion icon could come from such humble beginnings. Growing up, her family faced significant financial struggles. Modeling was just a glimmer of hope in a rather challenging upbringing.
Her first attempt at fashion was far from glamorous. In fact, it was an epic flop. But, as they say, the road to success is often paved with failures.
Just two years after her initial setback, Carmen graced the cover of Vogue at the age of 15. This was a monumental moment, marking the beginning of a legendary career in the fashion industry.
In 2023, Carmen was featured on the cover of Vogue Czechoslovakia, making her the oldest working model in the world. Her timeless beauty and elegance continue to captivate audiences globally.
She faced life’s hurdles, from financial struggles to failed marriages.
Carmen’s early life was fraught with financial difficulties. Her modeling work barely supported her family, so she and her mother also worked as seamstresses to make ends meet. This challenging period taught her resilience and perseverance.
1Her marriage to Bill Miles in the early 1950s added another layer of hardship. Miles exploited her career, collecting her modeling agency checks and giving her a mere $50 from her earnings. Yet, Carmen remained steadfast and continued to rise above these challenges.
Carmen then chose to marry photographer Richard Heimann. However, their marriage was also short-lived. When Carmen stepped away from the modeling industry in 1958, Richard left her.
Facing financial difficulties, Carmen Dell’Orefice made a bold comeback to modeling in 1978. Within just a few years, she was back on the covers of top fashion magazines, showcasing her timeless elegance. Ever since, she has been tirelessly working, featuring in numerous magazines, spearheading advertising campaigns, and strutting down catwalks for prestigious fashion brands.
She shared her secret to timeless beauty and longevity.
One of Carmen’s profound insights into maintaining beauty and longevity is the importance of self-care and self-love. She once said, “Men and women should care for themselves and love themselves. One of the secrets to maintaining beauty is doing what you do for a baby, nurturing and feeding the baby with love. That’s what we should do with ourselves: nurture ourselves, love ourselves, and give that kind of energy to ourselves.”
Carmen embraces aging with grace and dignity. She has never shied away from her age. Instead, she has used it to her advantage, proving that beauty truly knows no age.
Carmen’s unwavering passion for modeling teaches us that retirement is not an obligation but a choice. If you love what you do, there’s no reason to stop, no matter how old you are. Her life is a testament to resilience. Despite numerous challenges, she has continued to thrive, proving that with determination, one can overcome any obstacle.
Another inspiring supermodel is Daphne Selfe, 96, who still makes waves in the fashion industry and hasn’t given any sign of stopping yet. Read her story here.
Leave a Reply