Vivien Leigh, the celebrated British actress renowned for her roles in films like Gone with the Wind and A Streetcar Named Desire, died from tuberculosis.
Leigh's health struggles with chronic tuberculosis were a significant part of her life. She was first diagnosed with the condition in the mid-1940s. Throughout the years, she suffered from recurrent bouts of the illness, which eventually led to her passing.
A Long Battle with Illness
Despite her prolific career in film and theatre, Vivien Leigh's life was marked by her ongoing battle with tuberculosis. The disease, which primarily affects the lungs, often caused periods of ill health and impacted her ability to work consistently, especially in her later years. Even after her divorce from Laurence Olivier in 1960, she continued to work sporadically in film and theatre until her death.
| Key Event | Year | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| First Diagnosis | Mid-1940s | Diagnosed with chronic tuberculosis |
| Divorce from Olivier | 1960 | Continued to work intermittently |
| Cause of Death | 1967 | Died from complications of tuberculosis |
Her death on July 8, 1967, at the age of 53, marked the end of a remarkable career and a life lived with persistent health challenges. Her legacy, however, continues to be celebrated for her extraordinary talent and contributions to cinema and stage.
