Carrie Fisher, the actress best known as Star Wars’ Princess Leia Organa, has died after suffering a heart attack on Friday during a flight from London to Los Angeles. Fisher was 60.
Family spokesman Simon Halls released a statement to PEOPLE on behalf of Fisher’s daughter, Billie Lourd:
“It is with a very deep sadness that Billie Lourd confirms that her beloved mother Carrie Fisher passed away at 8:55 this morning,” reads the statement.
“She was loved by the world and she will be missed profoundly,” says Lourd. “Our entire family thanks you for your thoughts and prayers.”
PHOTOS: Carrie Fisher through the years
Fisher was flying from London to Los Angeles on Friday, Dec. 23, when she went into cardiac arrest. Passengers and flight personnel gave her CPR until paramedics were able to rush her to a nearby hospital once the plane landed.
Her brother Todd Fisher told E! News hours later on Friday that Fisher was being treated in the ICU. Local TV station KABC reported that night she was in critical condition and on a ventilator.
Fisher received care in the hospital for several days and her mother, Debbie Reynolds, made a statement earlier in the week saying that her daughter was in stable condition. But things took a turn for the worse on Tuesday. She died early in the morning.
Carrie Fisher was the daughter of actors Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher. She had a tumultuous upbringing in the spotlight in Hollywood and ultimately moved to London to get an education in acting.
She returned to Hollywood and made her film debut in “Shampoo,” opposite Warren Beatty. She nabbed the starring role in “Star Wars” in 1977 and was just 19 years old when she appeared in the George Lucas franchise.
PHOTOS: Carrie Fisher in later years
Fisher also starred in the second and third “Star Wars” films and in last years’ Christmas blockbuster “The Force Awakens.” She also had notable roles in films like “Hannah and her Sisters” and “When Harry Met Sally.”
Fisher often led a headline-making love life. She dated musician Paul Simon off and on from 1977-1984 and the song “Hearts and Bones” was thought to be about their relationship. She was briefly engaged to Dan Aykroyd after he proposed on the set of “Blues Brothers,” but their dalliance ended after she returned to Simon and they married in 1983. Their marriage only lasted a year and was wrought with problems including bouts of depression and drug use.
Shortly after she married CAA head honcho and talent agent, Bryan Lourd, in 1991. They had one child together, Billie Catherine Lourd. Their marriage was also problematic due to depression and they decided to divorce in 1994. Lourd went on to marry his longtime partner, boyfriend, Bruce Bozzi, in 2016.
Fisher’s drug use began at a young age – 13 – as she was heavily influenced by the Hollywood circles that her parents participated in. She detailed her drug use, including cocaine, LSD and marijuana, in her 1987 semi-autobiographical novel, “Postcards from the Edge.”She wrote a 2008 novel “Wishful Drinking” and was most recently promoting her book “The Princess Diarist,” which revealed details about her young life in the “Star Wars” franchise and her off-screen affair with co-star, Harrison Ford.
Carrie Fisher & Harrison Ford
In 1985, Fisher was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and she became an avid advocate for the mental illness. She also wrote about her illness in her books.
Fisher was also credited with writing several famous Hollywood movies. She had uncredited writing for films like “The Wedding Singer,” “Hook” and “Sister Act.”
Fisher was also extremely close with her only child, Billie Lourd, who recently scored a role on “Scream Queens.” Billie rushed to her mother’s side immediately after the plane landed and was reportedly with her throughout the past couple days.
PHOTOS: Stars react to Carrie Fisher’s death
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