Get ready to bid farewell to a Hollywood legend as Raquel Welch, the US actress often credited with paving the way for modern-day action heroines, has passed away at the age of 82. The news of her death has left her fans heartbroken. According to her manager, the star passed away peacefully on Wednesday morning after a brief illness. How Did Raquel Welch Die?
Welch became an international sex symbol in the 1960s, captivating audiences with her beauty and talent on the silver screen. She is widely remembered for her iconic role as a bikini-clad cavewoman in the 1966 film One Million Years B.C. Her performance in the film catapulted her to fame, making her one of the most sought-after actresses of her time.
In addition to her stunning looks, Welch also had an impressive acting career, winning a Golden Globe for her role in 1974’s The Three Musketeers. Her contributions to the film industry will be remembered for years to come.
Born Jo-Raquel Tejada in 1940, Welch grew up in California, where she won teen beauty pageants and later became a local weather forecaster. As we remember her legacy, let us pay our respects to a true Hollywood icon who inspired generations of actresses to follow in her footsteps.
Raquel Welch lived a life full of adventure and glamour, making her mark as a model, actress, and entrepreneur. Born as Jo-Raquel Tejada, she grew up in California, winning teen beauty pageants and working as a local weather forecaster. She then had a brief stint in Dallas, Texas, where she worked as a cocktail waitress and modelled for the Neiman Marcus clothing store.
But it was in California where she found her big break, scoring cameos in movies like A House Is Not A Home and Roustabout, a musical starring Elvis Presley. In 1966, she shot to fame with back-to-back roles in Fantastic Voyage and One Million Years B.C., where her iconic bikini-clad cavewoman portrayal became synonymous with her name. However, despite her public image, she often expressed discomfort with the representation of her body and being labeled a sex symbol.
Over her career spanning more than five decades, Welch appeared in over 30 movies and 50 television shows, including memorable performances in Lady in Cement, Myra Breckenridge, and Right to Die, for which she received a Golden Globe nomination. In her later years, she even released her own line of wigs, jewelry and skincare collection, and a makeup line with Mac Cosmetics.
Welch’s legacy is not only as an actress, but also as an inspiration to many. Her colleagues and fans have paid tribute to her on social media, with Reese Witherspoon calling her “elegant, professional and glamorous beyond belief,” and Viola Davis describing her as “ageless” and “iconic”. Even The Muppet Show paid tribute to her, calling her a “remarkable friend” and one of their favorite guests.
Raquel Welch may have left us at the age of 82, but her impact on Hollywood and beyond will be felt for generations to come.