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Joan Crawford was born in Lucille Fay LeSueur on March 23, 1904, in San Antonio, Texas. She grew up with little money, raised by her mother and stepfather in Oklahoma before moving to Kansas City, Missouri. In 1925, while performing in a New York chorus line, MGM discovered her during the jazz-age flapper era.
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Crawford's talent quickly propelled her to stardom in Hollywood. She starred in iconic films like 'Our Dancing Daughters' (1928), 'Grand Hotel' (1932), 'Mildred Pierce' (1945), 'Possessed'(1947), and 'Strait-Jacket' (1964). In a memorable moment, she accepted the Oscar for Best Actress for 'Mildred Pierce' in 1946, while battling the flu, and wearing pajamas at her California home.
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Joan Crawford had a successful career in Hollywood but also had feuds, including one with Bette Davis. Their rivalry started when Davis fell for her co-star Franchot Tone in the mid-Thirties. Despite appearing together in 'What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?', their friendship remained distant.
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Franchot Tone married Crawford, her second marriage, before they divorced in 1939. The feud intensified when Davis turned down a role, leading Crawford to win an Oscar. Even in death, Davis couldn't resist a final jab, reportedly saying, "You should never speak ill of the dead. Joan Crawford is dead… good!”
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Crawford was married four times, with her first two husbands being actors Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and Franchot Tone. Her third marriage was to actor Frederick Henry Kormann, and her fourth to Alfred Steele, CEO of Pepsi-Cola Company. After Steele's death in 1959, Crawford assumed her role on the board of directors. However, in 1973, Pepsi forced Crawford into retirement, as reported by Vanity Fair.
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Just four days before her death, Joan Crawford reportedly gave away her cherished Shih Tzu, Princess Lotus Blossom, due to concerns for her health. As her condition worsened, nurses gathered by her bedside. When they began praying, Crawford, known as one of Hollywood's most recognizable faces, became furious.
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"Don't you dare ask God to help me," Crawford reportedly snapped at the nurses praying at her bedside, moments before the Academy Award winner took her final breath.
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Crawford died on May 10, 1977, following a fatal heart attack in her New York apartment. Though historically unknown, her age at the time of her death was 69 years old.
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Following her passing, her funeral took place in New York three days later, followed by the reading of her will. In her will, Crawford left around $77,500 (£63,000) from her $2 million (£1.62 million) estate to her two youngest children, Cindy and Cathy.
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Her two eldest, Christina and Christopher, however, were left with nothing. "It is my intention to make no provision herein for my son, Christopher, or my daughter, Christina, for reasons which are well known to them," she wrote in her will.
Discover the story behind Hollywood legend Joan Crawford's tragic demise. Despite her glamorous career, Crawford's final days were filled with turmoil and controversy.
Uncover the details surrounding her sad cause of death and the lasting legacy she left on the film industry.