Shirley Temple Black aka Shirley Temple rose to fame as one of the most popular child stars in Hollywood history, with her signature curls and spunky attitude. According to Black’s publicist, she died late Monday night from natural causes at the age of 85 in her Woodside, California home, surrounded by her family and caregivers. She began her acting career at the tender age of 3, and became a massive box-office hit before turning 10. At such a young age she was already receiving an unheard of $50,000 per movie, and the world fell in love with her singing, dancing, and irresistible charm. In 1934, she received a miniature Oscar for her work in movies that were all must-sees in the 30’s. She later stopped acting, and after taking a much needed break returned to the public eye running for Congress as a Republican. She became a U.S. diplomat and served as U.S. ambassador to Ghana and Czechoslovakia.
Her loving family who was closely by her side during her final hours had this to say, “We salute her for a life of remarkable achievements as an actor, as a diplomat, and most importantly as our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and adored wife for 55 years of the late and much missed Charles Alden Black.”(TMZ)
As a young girl who grew up watching Shirley Temple movies with her grandma, I was both shocked and sad to hear the news of Mrs. Black’s passing. However, she lived a full and meaningful life and she will always be remembered as the sassy little girl with the corkscrew curls who warmed our hearts, and put smiles on our faces. R.I.P. Shirley Temple Black. Your works and achievements will live on forever. Remembering our Beloved Shirley Temple.
A more recent photo of Shirley Temple Black, age 85.
(Photograph courtesy of TMZ)
