Raquel Welch’s cause of death has been revealed.
Welch’s longtime manager Steve Sauer previously confirmed to PEOPLE thatshe “passed away peacefully early this morningafter a brief illness.”
He continued, “Her career spanned over 50 years starring in over 30 films and 50 television series and appearances. TheGolden Globewinner, in more recent years, was involved in a very successful line of wigs.”
“Raquel leaves behindher two children, son Damon Welch and her daughter Tahnee Welch,” Sauer concluded.
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Raquel Welch.Vera Anderson/WireImage
RELATED GALLERY:Raquel Welch’s Life in Photos
Welch made her film debut in the mid 1960s, with breakout roles in 1966’sFantastic VoyageandOne Million Years B.C.that same year.
Other titles under her belt include100 Rifles,The Prince and the Pauper, Chairman of the Boardand more. Her final film role was in 2017’sHow to Be a Latin Lover.She alsomemorably performed “I’m a Woman"withCherback in 1975 onThe Cher Show.
Raquel Welch.Donato Sardella/Getty
Welch became a pin-up after flaunting her curves in 1966’s camp classicOne Million Years B.C.But behind the glamour, the star (born Jo Raquel Tejada) was a hardworking single mom whose career as a sex bomb helped her raise two kids aftersplitting from her first husbandin 1964.
The actress, whose bookBeyond the Cleavagebecame a bestseller, previously told PEOPLE as she celebrated her 70th birthday in 2010 that she has “had a great life — and it’s not over yet!”
RELATED VIDEO: Raquel Welch,One Million Years B.C.Actress and Hollywood Sex Symbol, Dead at 82
“So sad to hear about Raquel Welch’s passing. I loved working with her onLegally Blonde,” Witherspoon, 47, shared on Twitter alongsidean image of Welch. “She was elegant, professional and glamorous beyond belief. Simply stunning. May all her angels carry her home.”
ABC News correspondentDeborah Robertsadded that Welch “lit up movie screens for years with her beauty and charisma"in her tweet, withLaw & Order: Special Victims UnitactorChristopher Melonialsosharing similar feelings on Twitter: “Raquel Welch dying is a very weird feeling.”
“We are saddened to hear about the passing of legendary actress Raquel Welch, who starred as Loana in Ray Harryhausen’s 1966 classic ‘One Million Years B.C’. An iconic role which spawned one of the most famous movie posters ever. Our thoughts are with her family at this sad time,” they wrote.
source: people.com
