Rita Hayworth’s Death – Cause and Date
Rita Hayworth, the dazzling Hollywood icon, passed away on May 14, 1987, after battling Alzheimer's disease.
Career
Rita Hayworth, a major figure of Hollywood’s Golden Age, captivated audiences with her performances in iconic films such as the 1944 musical Cover Girl.
Known for her stunning beauty and charismatic screen presence, Hayworth became a defining symbol of glamour and elegance.
She was featured in over 60 films throughout her 37-year career.
Personal life
She was married five times, including to actor Orson Welles and Prince Aly Khan. Her longest union, with Edward Judson, lasted from 1937 to 1942.
Hayworth had two daughters: Yasmin Khan, born from her marriage to Prince Aly Khan, and Rebecca Welles, from her marriage to Orson Welles. Both daughters experienced the complexities of their mother’s fame, with Yasmin becoming a socialite and Rebecca pursuing a career in acting and writing.
Illness and death
In her later years, she faced significant health challenges, including a battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
In February 1987, Hayworth lapsed into a semicoma. She passed away on May 14, 1987, at the age of 68, due to complications related to Alzheimer’s disease, at her Manhattan home.
A funeral service for Hayworth was held on May 18, 1987, at the Church of the Good Shepherd. Pallbearers included actors Ricardo Montalbán, Glenn Ford, Cesar Romero, Anthony Franciosa, choreographer Hermes Pan, and family friend Phillip Luchenbill.
She was interred at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City. Her headstone features the inscription: “To yesterday’s companionship and tomorrow’s reunion,” reflecting Yasmin’s sentiment.
Her death marked the end of an era for classic film fans, but her legacy lives on through her iconic films and the unforgettable presence she brought to the screen.
Quotes
""Every man I knew went to bed with Gilda... and woke up with me."
""I like having my picture taken and being a glamorous person. Sometimes when I find myself getting impatient, I just remember the times I cried my eyes out because nobody wanted to take my picture at the Trocadero."
""Increasingly, stars are recruited from the ranks of professional models, with the result that today's starlets are better dressed and better groomed than ever before, though it is doubtful if they are better actresses."
""All I wanted was just what everybody else wants, you know, to be loved."