How Margaret Sullavan Died of a Barbiturate Overdose in 1960

Margaret Sullavan was a famous American actress who starred in 16 films and several Broadway plays. She was known for her roles in The Shop Around the Corner, Three Comrades, and The Mortal Storm, among others. She was also married four times, including to actors Henry Fonda and William Wyler. She had three children, one of whom died by suicide in 1963. Sullavan herself died on January 1, 1960, at the age of 50. The cause of her death was a barbiturate overdose, which was ruled accidental by the coroner. But what led to this tragic end for the talented star?

The Struggle with Deafness and Depression

According to Wikipedia, Sullavan began to experience deafness and depression in the 1950s. She had suffered from a painful muscular weakness in her legs as a child, which prevented her from walking until the age of six. She also had a history of nervous breakdowns and attempted suicides. She was diagnosed with otosclerosis, a condition that causes progressive hearing loss, and underwent several surgeries to try to restore her hearing. However, none of them were successful, and she became increasingly isolated and depressed.

Sullavan also had a difficult relationship with her children, especially her eldest daughter Brooke Hayward, who later wrote a memoir about her troubled family life. Sullavan was often absent or neglectful of her children, and sometimes abusive or violent towards them. She also had a series of affairs and divorces that caused her emotional turmoil.

The Final Days and the Overdose

According to StarsUnfold, Sullavan’s last film was No Sad Songs for Me, released in 1950. In this film, she played a woman dying of cancer, which was ironically similar to her own fate. She then retired from the screen and focused on her stage work. She appeared in several plays, such as Stage Door, The Voice of the Turtle, and Sabrina Fair. However, her health and mental state continued to deteriorate.

On December 31, 1959, Sullavan checked into a hotel room in New Haven, Connecticut, where she was scheduled to perform in a play called Janus. She had been taking barbiturates, a type of sedative drug, to help her sleep and cope with her anxiety. However, she accidentally took an overdose of the pills and fell into a coma. She was found by a maid the next morning and rushed to the hospital, but it was too late. She was pronounced dead on arrival on January 1, 1960.

According to The Celebrity Deaths, the coroner ruled her death as an accidental overdose of barbiturates. He found no evidence of suicide or foul play. He also noted that Sullavan had been suffering from pneumonia and bronchitis, which may have contributed to her death.

The Legacy and the Tragedy

Margaret Sullavan’s death shocked and saddened many of her fans and friends in the film industry. She was remembered as a talented and versatile actress who brought charm and depth to her roles. She was also praised for her courage and resilience in facing her personal challenges.

However, her death also marked the beginning of a series of tragedies for her family. Her daughter Brooke Hayward became addicted to drugs and alcohol and attempted suicide several times. Her son William Hayward became a successful producer but also struggled with substance abuse and died of liver failure in 2008. Her youngest daughter Bridget Hayward followed her mother’s footsteps as an actress but also suffered from depression and killed herself in 1963 at the age of 21.

Margaret Sullavan’s life and death were both tragic and inspiring. She left behind a legacy of memorable performances and a family that loved her despite their difficulties. She also showed us the dangers of barbiturate overdose and the importance of seeking help for mental health issues.

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