Shannen Doherty’s mom speaks out following ‘beautiful’ daughter’s cancer death at 53
Shannen Doherty’s mother is grieving the loss of her “beautiful daughter,” who died on Saturday at the age of 53 after a complicated journey with cancer.
“She is my beautiful girl and my heart,” Rosa Doherty told People Monday.
“Our family wants to thank everyone who has shown love and support for our Shannen throughout her life. We are truly appreciative.”
Shannen’s longtime publicist, Leslie Sloane, announced the actress’ death on Sunday.
“It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of actress Shannen Doherty,” Sloane said in a statement, explaining that Shannen had “lost her battle with cancer after many years of fighting the disease.”
The rep went on to call her late client a “devoted daughter, sister, aunt and friend,” saying she “was surrounded by her loved ones as well as her dog, Bowie,” at the time of her passing.
Sloan concluded, “The family asks for their privacy at this time so they can grieve in peace.”
The “Beverly Hills, 90210” star was first diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2015, but it did not become public knowledge until she sued her former business managers for allegedly mismanaging her money and allowing her health insurance to lapse, which meant she could not go to the doctor.
As a result, Shannen received a delayed diagnosis, which allowed the cancer to spread.
Once her diagnosis made headlines, the “Charmed” star updated fans regularly on her health.
In August 2016, she revealed her breast cancer had spread to her lymph nodes and that she believed she would be dead within five years.
Less than a year later, the self-described “cancer slayer” announced she was in remission.
However, in February 2020, Shannen revealed that her cancer had returned and was stage 4.
“I’m petrified,” she admitted at the time. “I’m pretty scared.”
In June 2023, the actress told her social media followers that her cancer had metastasized to her brain.
That November, Shannen explained that her beloved mom — who was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm when the TV star was 8 — taught her to be tenacious in life.
“I come from a woman who was determined,” Shannen said at the time. “She impressed that upon me as a very young child, like, ‘You don’t give up. You just have to work hard at it.'”
“I think I was always a fighter,” she added. “I was raised that way to be very strong and that I could do anything that I put my mind to.”
