The actress from “Charmed” and “Beverly Hills 90210” was initially diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015.
After battling illness for years, Shannen Doherty passed away, PEOPLE has confirmed. 53 was her age.
“Actress Shannen Doherty passed away, and I confirm this with heavy heart. After battling the illness for many years, Doherty lost her fight with cancer on Saturday, July 13, as her longtime publicist Leslie Sloane revealed in an exclusive statement to PEOPLE on Sunday, July 14.
“Her dog, Bowie, and her loved ones surrounding the dedicated daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. In order for the family to grieve in peace at this time, they kindly request privacy,” Sloane said.
In November 2023, the Beverly Hills 90210 actress opened up to PEOPLE about her Stage 4 breast cancer, which had already spread to her bones. She stated that she didn’t “want to die.” The star was initially diagnosed with the disease in 2015.
“I have more life left in me. I have love left in me. I have more to create. She told PEOPLE, “I’m not done with hopefully changing things for the better. “I simply am not— I am not finished.”
The actress said in April 2017 that she had gone into remission after receiving her diagnosis in 2015; but, by 2019, the cancer had come back. Doherty revealed her metastatic stage 4 cancer diagnosis the following year. The actress then disclosed in June 2023 that she had undergone surgery and that the cancer had progressed to her brain.
On June 6, 2023, Doherty shared on Instagram that the disease has progressed to her brain. Later that month, she revealed in another post that she had had surgery to remove a brain tumor in January 2023, giving it the name Bob.
In August 2023, she told PEOPLE, “He had to get removed and dissected to see his pathology.” “It was undoubtedly one of the scariest experiences of my entire life.”
The actress was adamant about carrying on with her career despite the illness.
“People often assume that having terminal cancer means being unable to walk, eat, or work. They see it as being sent into retirement prematurely. However, we are vibrant individuals with a different outlook on life. We want to continue working, embrace life and move forward,” she explained. Before her passing, Doherty aimed to raise awareness and funding for cancer research, while also demonstrating that people like her still have a lot to offer.
She reflected on the bigger purpose in life that arises when faced with questions like ‘Why me? Why did I get cancer? Why did it come back? Why am I stage 4?’ These sentiments echoed her candid remarks from a 2020 interview with Amy Robach on Good Morning America, where she remained pragmatic. “There are days when I wonder, ‘Why me?’ And then I think, ‘Why not me? Who else? Who else besides me deserves this?’ None of us do.”
