Back in the ‘90s, Shannen Doherty established herself as a genuine household name. She had already dazzled in the dark comedy Heathers, but it was her long time on the hit teen drama 90210 that made her a true megastar. And when she branched into film with Mallrats, it was clear there was nothing this talented actor couldn’t do.
Doherty was always full of both light and life, and that’s what made it so heartbreaking when she recently died. We are still learning about her final days, and there was one particular detail that broke our hearts all over again. Just what was the saddest thing about Shannen Doherty’s final days?
Keep reading to find out!
Shannen Doherty’s shocking diagnosis
The beginning of the end for Shannen Doherty occurred way back in 2015. That was when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. For some women, this would have been a life-changing diagnosis, but she always kept high spirits about her health. For example, she took to social media to talk about her physician, Dr. Piro, writing on Instagram that “I like to say I’m his favorite patient but I have a feeling all of us think that.”
Sadly, that diagnosis kicked off several more health complications that Doherty would have over the years. She continued valiantly battling cancer until the end, eventually dying on July 13, 2024. While someone dying at the relatively young age of 53 is a genuine tragedy, Doherty could take some cold comfort that she was surrounded by loved ones when she passed away.
Dying in peace, surrounded by family
We know a few of the details about how Shannen Doherty died thanks to her physician, the aforementioned Dr. Piro. In an interview with People, he said that “The room was surrounded by a select group of friends that were giving her a lot of care and support.” Really, this is all most of us can hope for: to be surrounded by those we care about the most before we die.
However, Piro was very forthright that saying goodbye to Doherty was very hard, and that’s partially because she hadn’t necessarily accepted her death. “It was somber and sad, but beautiful and loving. The hardest thing about this was that she wasn’t ready to leave because she loved life.”
Like her many fans, Doherty herself wasn’t ready to die. But believe it or not, this wasn’t the saddest thing about her death.
Dealing with divorce drama
Shannen Doherty dealt with health difficulties for nearly a decade after her initial breast cancer diagnosis, and cancer was eventually what killed her. Because of that, you might think nothing could have made these final days worse. Sadly, one person did just that: her ex-husband.
She married Kurt Iswarienko back in 2011, and it seemed at first that he would support her in sickness and in health, just as his wedding vows proclaimed. However, after discovering he was allegedly having an affair, the two separated in January 2023. Doherty filed for divorce this April, leading to the absolutely saddest detail about her final days.
Doherty’s final heartbreaking act before death
Shannen Doherty didn’t just file for divorce from her husband. She also wanted to receive spousal support from the alleged cheater. This got ugly at times: according to Us Weekly, she had demanded retroactive support payments and believed that her ex was “intentionally delaying settlement in hopes that I will not survive the divorce proceedings.”
Literally one day before she died, Doherty signed a document specifying that he wouldn’t have to pay any spousal support. He signed his own paperwork the very next day, and while this was a very noble gesture on the actor’s part, it is completely heartbreaking that she spent so many months and even her final days dealing with divorce drama that all began with her ex-husband’s alleged cheating.
Doherty’s mother speaks out about her daughter
Honestly, we didn’t think we could cry any more tears over the passing of Shannen Doherty. However, her mother Rosa Doherty later gave an interview to Entertainment Tonight. And her words about her daughter ripped our hearts open all over again.
“She is my beautiful girl and my heart,” she said. “Our family wants to thank everyone who has shown love and support for our Shannen throughout her life. We are truly appreciative.”
Now, could you be a sweetie and pass the tissues?
A sad tribute involving her beloved costar
The most bittersweet and unexpected tribute to Shannen Doherty after her death came from her former 90210 costar Gabrielle Carteris. This colleague took to Instagram to post a farewell message that also mentioned another one of their costars who died far too young.
“So young — so sad,” Carteris wrote. “May you RIP Shannen. I know Luke is there with open arms to love you.” That sweet, simple message was heartbreaking enough to make us begin bawling all over again, and at this rate, we may never stop.