Vivien Leigh died on 8 July 1967 at the age of 53 from complications of tuberculosis , a chronic infection of the lungs that she had battled for many years.

Quick Scoop

  • Date of death: 8 July 1967.
  • Age: 53 years old.
  • Place: Her home in London, England.
  • Cause of death: A recurrence of pulmonary tuberculosis, which led to severe complications and ultimately her death.

What exactly happened?

  • Leigh had suffered on and off from tuberculosis for decades, with recurring bouts that weakened her health and interrupted her career.
  • In 1967 she had another serious recurrence while preparing for a stage production; about a month later, she died at home when the disease caused fatal complications, often described as tuberculosis of the lungs leading to respiratory failure.

Context and legacy

  • At the time of her death, treatments for tuberculosis existed but were not always fully effective, especially in long-term, recurrent cases like hers.
  • Her death was widely reported as a tragic, premature loss of a two-time Oscar-winning actress best known for Scarlett O’Hara in “Gone with the Wind” and Blanche DuBois in “A Streetcar Named Desire.”

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