Fifteen years after Farrah Fawcett died of anal cancer, her close friend Alana Stewart is remembering the actress and her late lover, Ryan O’Neal. Alana noted that the two lovebirds were interred beside each other at Los Angeles’ Westwood Village Memorial Park.
She also details Farrah’s mundane life as Ryan’s girlfriend and mother to his child, Redmond, which contrasts with her glamorous public appeal. The duo loved each other until the end, with Farrah dying in Ryan O’Neal’s arms after a lengthy hospital stay.
Farrah Fawcett lived a simple life at home in contrast to her glamorous Hollywood looks
Farrah and Ryan’s romance started out controversial as she was still married to Lee Majors when they met. They divorced in 1982, and Farrah could focus on her newfound love with Ryan, who she recalled kissing until their lips bled after the first date. Ryan’s love for the late actress was undeniable, however, he cheated on her, leading to their initial split.
Their on-and-off relationship had its highlights, part of which Alana recalled as their normal home life. Farrah would make home-cooked meals whenever she was home, and on days when she traveled for work, baby Redmond came along.
Although they finally split in 1997, Farrah and Ryan reignited their romance after Ryan was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2001. Farrah took care of him, and he reciprocated during her battle with anal cancer, which metastasized into her liver. Alana recalled how Ryan stayed by her bed day and night until she died in his arms at 62.
Continuing Farrah’s legacy, The Farrah Fawcett Foundation will be hosting its annual gala in Texas in a few weeks. She launched the initiative to raise money for cancer innovation and research. Alana, Linda Gray and Farrah’s Charlie’s Angels costar, Jaclyn Smith, will co-host this year’s event.