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Olivia de Havilland “shocked and saddened” by the death of her 96-year-old sister Joan Fontaine
Maybe she assumed they would both live forever – or at least to be 100.
Two-time Oscar winner Olivia de Havilland, 97, released a statement from Paris today saying she was “shocked and saddened” by the death of her Oscar winning sister Joan Fontaine yesterday at the age of 96.
Miss de Havilland also stated she was grateful for “the many kind expressions of sympathies.”
It was no secret that these two film legends never got along but I found many photos online tonight where they appeared to be on friendly terms. The one at the bottom is from the mid-70s and they are with their mother, Lillian Fontaine and is believed to be the final image of them together..
Comments
(All comments are reviewed before being published, and I review submissions several times per day.)
Max F. Grump says:
I have always been baffled by the long deep feud between these two very talented and beautiful sisters, Perhaps I don’t know all the details of what lead up to the parting but in the big picture it all seems very sad and most unfortunate. Too bad that after such long lives that they could not patch things up at some point. For Olivia to now state that she was “saddened” by the death of her sister seems like an odd word choice…..
PS Greg, thanks for the great photos on this one. You do such excellent work!
Lydia says:
What an absolute joke to say you’re “shocked and saddened”. Too late now Joan! You and your sisters needed to make amends to each other a long time ago. No one lives forever and we never know when a loved one is going to be taken from us.
Joe says:
Just because you’re related doesn’t mean you always get along. I’m glad Olivia made a statement. It is sad she and Joan couldn’t have made up before Joan died though.
Tim says:
Family of choice is much better than blood family sometimes. And how can a woman dying at 96 shock anyone? I was surprised she was still alive.
Gaspar Marino says:
I agree. With both of them elderly, they should have made amends years ago, but sometimes these diva like actresses consider it a matter of pride and one doesn’t want to be the one to apologize first. I am sure Olivia is sad that she lost her sister, but I doubt she is shocked, as they are in advanced years. Hopefully in the great beyond they will finally reconcile.
2201 East says:
It would seem that it is a bit late for her to be concerned.
Charlie says:
I imagine the “feud” was more of something dreamed up by columnists. More than likely just a matter of full lives with their own families, and little in common. I wish Miss DeHavilland all the best always. Thanks Greg for relating the news of her response to her sisters passing.
Greg Hernandez says:
Thanks for the comment Charlie. Interestingly though, the person who fanned the flames of the “feud” the most was Miss Fontaine in her autobiography and in the many interviews she did promoting it. Perhaps she mellowed out about it over time.