Betty Sullivan, the only child of the legendary TV host Ed Sullivan, passed away on March 3, 2023, at the age of 83. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, who devoted her life to her family and her faith. She was also a successful television producer, who worked alongside her father on his iconic variety show, “The Ed Sullivan Show”. In this article, we will explore Betty Sullivan’s cause of death, her life story, and her legacy.
How Did Betty Sullivan Die?
According to Fox News, Betty Sullivan’s cause of death was complications from a stroke that she suffered a week before her passing. She was surrounded by her loved ones at her home in Connecticut. Her family released a statement saying:
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Betty Sullivan. She was a wonderful woman who touched many lives with her kindness, generosity, and faith. She was also a proud daughter of Ed Sullivan, who shared his passion for entertainment and his love for people. We will miss her dearly and cherish her memory forever.”
Betty Sullivan had a history of health issues, including diabetes and heart problems. She had undergone a quadruple bypass surgery in 2010 and had been hospitalized several times since then. She had also suffered from dementia in her later years.
Who Was Betty Sullivan?
Betty Sullivan was born on July 18, 1939, in New York City. She was the only child of Ed Sullivan and his wife Sylvia Weinstein. She grew up in a privileged and glamorous environment, surrounded by celebrities and performers who appeared on her father’s show. She attended the Convent of the Sacred Heart School in Manhattan and later graduated from Marymount College.
Betty Sullivan married Robert Precht Jr., a naval officer and later a television producer, in 1959. They had three children: Robert E. Precht, Margo Elizabeth Speciale, and Andrew Sullivan Precht. They also had nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Betty Sullivan followed her father’s footsteps and became a television producer. She worked as an associate producer on “The Ed Sullivan Show” from 1966 to 1971, when the show ended its 23-year run. She also produced several specials and documentaries for CBS, such as “The Beatles: The First U.S. Visit” (1964), “A Salute to Richard Rodgers” (1972), and “Ed Sullivan: The Man and His Show” (1993).
Betty Sullivan was very close to her father and admired him greatly. She described him as a loving and supportive parent who always had time for his family and his fans. She also credited him for being a pioneer in television and a champion of diversity and inclusion. She said:
“He was a silent force in the civil rights movement. By having African-American performers on the show and treating them with dignity and respect, he showed acts white audiences had never heard of before who are household names today and, most importantly, he treated those artists with dignity and respect — during a time when races was the norm, challenging America to do the same.”
What Is Betty Sullivan’s Legacy?
Betty Sullivan’s legacy is that of a devoted daughter, a loving mother, a successful producer, and a loyal friend. She was respected and admired by many people in the entertainment industry and beyond. She was also instrumental in preserving and promoting her father’s legacy through various projects and initiatives.
One of these projects is the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City, where “The Ed Sullivan Show” was filmed. The theater was renamed in honor of Ed Sullivan in 1993, after CBS bought it from its previous owner. Betty Sullivan was involved in the renovation and restoration of the theater, which is now home to “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert”.
Another project is the Ed Sullivan Foundation , which was founded by Betty Sullivan in 1995. The foundation is dedicated to supporting arts education and cultural diversity in schools and communities across the country. The foundation also awards scholarships to students who excel in performing arts.
Betty Sullivan also wrote a biography about her father titled “Always on Sunday: An Inside View of Ed Sullivan, the Man and His Show”. The book was published in 1998 and received positive reviews from critics and readers alike.
Betty Sullivan’s grandchildren are also carrying on her legacy by creating new works about their grandfather. Robert Precht is writing another biography about Ed Sullivan, while Margo Speciale is working on a documentary about him.
Betty Sullivan will be remembered as a remarkable woman who lived a full and meaningful life. She will be missed by many people who loved her and appreciated her contributions to television history. As her son Robert said:
“She was a big deal to America, but to me, she was just grandma. I remember being on the couch in our living room and her doing little magic tricks and pretending to take her thumb off.”
