Pierce Brosnan's Daughter Dies of Cancer: 'She Made Me the Man I Am'
Pierce Brosnan revealed that his daughter died Friday of the same disease that killed his wife 22 years ago. The "James Bond" star shared the sad news on Monday.
"On June 28 at 2 p.m. my darling daughter Charlotte Emily passed on to eternal life, having succumbed to ovarian cancer," Brosnan told People.com. "She was surrounded by her husband Alex, children Isabella and Lucas and brothers Christopher and Sean."
Brosnan, 60, added that his late daughter faced her illness bravely- the battle had lasted three years.
"Charlotte fought her cancer with grace and humanity, courage and dignity," the Irish actor said. "Our hearts are heavy with the loss of our beautiful dear girl. We pray for her and that the cure for this wretched disease will be close at hand soon. We thank everyone for their heartfelt condolences."
Charlotte Emily died at age 41 in London. The mother of two left behind a 14-year-old daughter and an 8-year-old son.
Ovarian cancer claimed Charlotte's life over two decades after her mother, Cassandra Harris, also died of the disease in 1991 at the age of 39. Emily's grandmother also died of the same disease at a young age.
"The Thomas Crown Affair" star was married to "Cassie" for14 years until her death.
"She has made me the man I am, the actor I am, the father I am," Brosnan said during a past interview with People. "She's forever embedded in every fiber of my being. She's there with me every day. I was so blessed to have met someone like that."
Brosnan remarried American journalist and author Keely Shaye Smith in 2001.
Ovarian cancer continues to be a leading cause of deah of women around the world.
Cancer recently became highlighted in media for a time after Angelina Jolie revealed a long family history involving deadly breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
On May 14, Jolie published an op-ed in the New York Times entitled "My Medical Choice" detailing her decision to undergo a preventive double mastectomy. The procedure, which occurred in February, was an effort to reduce her chances of developing breast cancer- the disease that killed her mother.
The "Tomb Raider" star cited her "faulty" BRCA1 gene and the 50 percent chance of developing ovarian cancer, as well as the 87 percent chance of breast cancer.
Furthermore, "My Medical Choice" revealed intimate details as well as the many reasons behind her decision to remove both breasts.
"I am writing about it now because I hope that other women can benefit from my experience," penned the actress.
Consequently, Jolie received widespread applause for sharing her experience, and among those singing praises was her partner Pitt, who called her "heroic" for sharing the story.