Kirstie Alley: A star's battle with fame and personal demons
Kirstie Alley passed away at the age of 71, on 5 December 2022. The star lost her battle with cancer. Over the years, she starred in many unforgettable productions that brought her worldwide recognition. In her private life, Alley faced many challenges.
Kirstie Alley began her acting career relatively late, at the age of 31. She previously worked as an interior designer in Los Angeles. She appeared in many well-known and beloved productions. Her role in the series "North and South" brought her the most fame.
As she climbed the career ladder, her personal life was not without drama. Alley struggled with depression, as well as drug and alcohol addiction. She was deeply affected by her mother's death. She was never afraid to speak openly about her struggles.
Personal dramas
Kirstie Alley got married for the first time at just 19 years old. Her next serious relationship with another man ended when she fell into a dangerous habit.
- I [wasn't addicted] until I was 25. I got a divorce from my husband, and I started hanging out out with this guy I was sort of madly in love with. He had already [been out of addiction], but he had a lot of [addicted] friends, - the actress said on Howard Stern's show.
Kirstie admitted in interviews that at one point, it became extremely difficult for her to start the day without taking substances. During that time, she partied a lot, not caring about the consequences of her actions.
Meanwhile, new problems arose - this time with being overweight. In 2011, the actress participated in the American edition of "Dancing with the Stars." The show helped her regain her former figure, but at one point she weighed very little - just 7 stone (about 45 kg). An unhealthy relationship with food, subsequent yo-yo effect, and depression were believed to be the aftermath of the turmoil in Kirstie Alley's love life.
The actress was engaged to James Wilder. However, in 1983, she married another actor, Parker Stevenson, with whom she adopted two children. Ultimately, the marriage did not last - the couple divorced after 14 years together.
Trauma
In 1981, Kirstie Alley's mother, Lilliane Maxine, died in a car accident caused by a drunk driver. The actress was deeply affected by this tragedy and could not come to terms with the loss of a close person. Throughout her life, the star was actively involved in social campaigns aimed at condemning those who chose to drive after drinking alcohol.
In 2019, the perpetrator of the accident that killed Alley's mother wanted to meet the actress and personally apologise for what happened. Kirstie, however, did not agree to this proposal.
There was also a lot of buzz about Kirstie Alley regarding plastic surgery. The media reported that ever since she had her first procedure, she couldn't resist having more.