I kept hoping for better news this week, but today Billie Lourd, Carrie Fisher’s daughter confirmed her mother had passed away after a heart attack on Friday.
Carrie has been a big part of my childhood as Princess Leia, and she always impressed me with her ability to use humor to deal with things others would let bog them down. She had issues, but made sure to use her platform as a media spotlighted person to bring awareness so others could be helped.
Carrie grew up in the spotlight, the daughter of actors Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher. But it didn’t really put her to the forefront till she became Princess Leia at 21. It is that role she will probably be the most remembered for. She played the role for 40 years. She also was in the movie When Harry met Sally as Sally’s best friend who finally finds love with Harry’s best friend.
She wrote many autobiographical books as well as pushed for awareness of mental illness.
Farwell, Princess. Thank you for the years of laughter, and activism and the movies that will live on. My thoughts go out to your family and friends.