Kirstie Alley: A star's life of triumphs and trials revealed
Kirstie Alley passed away at the age of 71 on December 5, 2022, succumbing to her battle with cancer. Over the years, she starred in many unforgettable productions that brought her worldwide recognition. In her personal life, Alley faced numerous challenges.
Kirstie Alley began her acting career later in life, at the age of 31. Before this, she worked as an interior designer in Los Angeles. She appeared in many well-known and beloved productions, gaining particular fame for her role in the series "North and South."
As she climbed the career ladder, her personal life was not without challenges. Alley struggled with depression and drug and alcohol addiction. The death of her mother deeply affected her. 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 ended as she developed a dangerous habit.
- I didn't do drugs 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.
As Alley revealed in interviews, at one point it became extremely difficult for her to start the day without taking substances. During that time, she partied excessively, not caring about the consequences of her actions.
Meanwhile, new problems surfaced—this time with weight gain. 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 too little—just 99 pounds. An unhealthy relationship with food, the subsequent yo-yo effect, and depression were some of the aftermath of the upheaval 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, and 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 her loved one. 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 apologize for what happened. Kirstie, however, declined this offer.
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.
