Shannen Doherty's heroic battle with cancer ends at 53

Shannen Doherty had been battling breast cancer for several years. After intensive therapy, there was significant improvement, but the star's joy did not last long. The cancer returned with twice the force.

The "Beverly Hills 90210" star passed away on Saturday, July 13, at 53 years old. Leslie Sloane, the actress’s agent, confirmed the sad news in an interview with "The People."

Shannen Doherty learned about her breast cancer in March 2015 and immediately began fighting. She underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. She had the support of loved ones throughout the entire time, including her husband Kurt Iswarienko ("I couldn't have managed without him"), whom she married in 2011 after two short and unsuccessful marriages. She was also strengthened by strangers who sent her warm comments and wishes for a speedy recovery.

Doherty did not suffer away from the media and public eye. Throughout her battle with the disease, she posted private photos from the hospital, with a bald head or in a turban. She wanted to help other women with breast cancer in this way and show that "our life does not end with the diagnosis."

After two years of intense struggle, Doherty announced success. The disease went into remission.

Unfortunately, the joy did not last long. In early 2020, Doherty appeared on "Good Morning America" and, in tears, revealed the truth about the recurrence of her illness. The year before, she learned that she had incurable stage four cancer. Her marriage to Iswarienko fell apart, and Shannen moved in with her mother, whom she was preparing for her death.

Child star

Doherty is one of the faces of "Beverly Hills 90210," but even before joining the cast of the cult series, she could have gained fans worldwide. She first stood in front of the camera as a 10-year-old in the series "Father Murphy," and quickly, her latent talent was noticed. A year after her debut, she appeared in nearly all episodes of the final season of "Little House on the Prairie," a success on television in the late '80s and early '90s.

Later, she starred in three television movies, including Little House on the Prairie, which appeared in Highway to Heaven, and several other films and series. She spent three years in the TV production Our House, and in 1988, she starred in the movie hit Heathers. However, the real breakthrough in her career came in the following years with her role as Brenda Walsh in Beverly Hills 90210.