On December 28, People reported that Olivia Hussey passed away at the age of 73. According to an official statement posted on her page, the actress died on December 27.
Olivia Hussey rose to fame as a teenager with her role in the 1968 film “Romeo and Juliet.”
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The Most Beautiful Juliet in Cinema History
In 1967, during her first press conference, Olivia Hussey tightly held hands with Leonard Whiting, the actor playing Romeo. At that time, Olivia was just 16 years old, the sweet, blossoming age of a young woman.
Olivia Hussey left her hometown of Buenos Aires to move to London with her mother and brother, dreaming of becoming famous. At 13, she began her acting career and gained worldwide recognition at 16. With her innate acting skills and her striking, storybook appearance, Olivia captivated audiences.
At the same age as Juliet in Shakespeare’s original play, Olivia’s full face, large blue eyes, plump red lips, and long flowing black hair made her an enchanting, perfect Juliet. Her youth, mixed with an early sensuality, defined her portrayal, making her the epitome of Juliet for many.
Years later, Olivia Hussey’s portrayal of Juliet remains a legend in world cinema. Many actresses have taken on the role since then, but none have surpassed the title of “the most beautiful Juliet” that the media and fans bestowed upon Olivia.
This iconic beauty helped Olivia become a legendary Hollywood figure of the 20th century, standing as a symbol in global cinema.
A Turbulent Love Life and the Pain of Abuse
Despite being famous, beautiful, and wealthy, Olivia Hussey’s love life was far from peaceful. She experienced several relationships that left her with lasting emotional scars.
In 2018, Olivia released her autobiography The Girl on the Balcony, where she revealed that she had been abused and raped by a former boyfriend. She had to pause her acting career for a while due to anxiety disorders.
In her autobiography, Olivia admitted that she faced dark times behind the success of her Juliet role. Early fame caused her to feel unbalanced, and her rebellious youth led her to miss opportunities to maintain her fame. Olivia confessed she had “drifted away from the Shakespearean pedestal to wander through Hollywood” during a chaotic period of endless partying, drinking, and drug use, which plunged her into dark times.
Olivia’s first marriage was in 1971 at the age of 20 to Dino Martin. She had rejected his proposals multiple times before finally succumbing to his persistence. However, while pregnant with their first child, Dino Martin cheated on her. Their marriage ended in 1978.
Her second husband was Japanese singer Akira Fuse. Olivia gave birth to a son, Max, in 1983, but they divorced a few years later.
In 1991, Olivia married American rock musician David Glen Eisley. In October 1993, they had a daughter, India Eisley, who has also pursued acting and has been praised for her beauty.
At 71, Olivia had been battling breast cancer for years. She was diagnosed in 2008 and underwent surgery for treatment. After nearly a decade in remission, Olivia learned in 2018 that the cancer had returned, with a small tumor developing between her heart and lungs. Despite this, Olivia remained optimistic, fighting the illness and enjoying life with her husband and children.
