When Raquel Welch passed away on February 15 – less than two months ago – the public wasn’t given too many details regarding the cause of her death. At the time, we were told that she died after a ‘short battle with an unspecified illness.’ She was 82 years old and left behind two sons – Damon, 63, and Tahnee, 61.
On April 4, Welch’s death certificate was obtained by TMZ and it revealed that the legendary actress had suffered a cardiac arrest on the morning of her death. The certificate also cited a battle with Alzheimer’s disease, which contributed to her death – though her battle with the disease was unknown prior to that.
Also included in the certificate was her time of death – which was 2:25 a.m. on February 15. She has been cremated in the weeks since. Her legacy in the entertainment industry will be remembered forever and was included in the ‘In Memoriam’ tribute at the 2023 Oscars – which took place back on March 12.
Raquel Welch catapulted to ‘sex symbol’ status in 1966 with her breakout performances in Fantastic Voyage and One Million Years B.C. – she was 26 years old at that time. She continued her acting career up until 2017 when she appeared in How to Be a Latin Lover (film) and Date My Dad (television).
Overall, she appeared in more than 30 films and 50 television series throughout her 50+ years in the entertainment industry between 1964 and 2017. Her career was highlighted by a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy – after starring in The Three Musketeers (1973).
She was also nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film – after starring in Right to Die in 1987. Some of the other films she starred in include Legally Blonde, Bedazzled, The Last of Sheila, Bandolero!, 100 Rifles, The Prince and the Pauper, and Chairman of the Board.
Welch was married four times and had two sons with her first husband James Welch – her high school sweetheart who she married in 1959 and divorced in 1964. She was also married to Patrick Curtis (1967 to 1972), André Weinfeld (1980 to 1990), and Richie Palmer (1999 to 2004). She decided not to remarry in 2011.
Hollywood Pays Tribute to Raquel Welch
In the days following the news of her passing, Raquel Welch was remembered by those that had an opportunity to work with her during her 50+ years in the industry. For example, Bruce Campbell wrote, “The fancy of my formative years. Safe travels, Raquel,” on Twitter just hours after the news leaked.
Reese Witherspoon, who acted alongside Welch in Legally Blonde, remembered Welch as ‘elegant, professional and glamorous beyond belief. Simply stunning.’ She went on to add: “May all her angels carry her home. Sending love to her family and her many fans” – sharing a photo of her on Twitter.
“Raquel Welch was one of the most wonderful people I’ve ever worked with. Performing a duet with her on The Muppet Show helped moi become the W-O-M-A-N I am today! We’ll never forget vous, Raquel!” wrote Miss Piggy of the Muppets on Twitter – she appeared on an episode of The Muppet Show in 1978.
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Lizzie Cundy also shared some kind words about Welch in a Twitter post. “How sad to hear actress Raquel Welch has died. Such a beautiful woman who gained international fame in one of my fave movies Fantastic Voyage.. Such an iconic beauty. Rest in peace ❤️” she wrote.
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