Mary Martin was one of the most beloved and versatile actresses of the 20th century, who starred in some of the most memorable musicals on Broadway and television. She was best known for her roles as Nellie Forbush in South Pacific, Maria von Trapp in The Sound of Music, and the title character in Peter Pan, which she played on stage and on TV. She was also the mother of actor Larry Hagman, who became famous as J.R. Ewing on Dallas.
But behind her dazzling smile and enchanting voice, Martin had a tragic and painful struggle with colon cancer, which eventually claimed her life in 1990. In this article, we will explore how Martin was diagnosed with the disease, how she coped with it, and how she spent her final days.
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The Diagnosis: A Shocking Discovery
According to Biography, Martin first noticed something was wrong in 1982, when she was 68 years old. She had been feeling tired and bloated for a while, but she attributed it to her busy schedule and aging. She was also experiencing some rectal bleeding, but she dismissed it as hemorrhoids.
However, when she went to see her doctor for a routine checkup, he insisted that she undergo a colonoscopy, a procedure that examines the inside of the colon using a flexible tube with a camera. Martin reluctantly agreed, thinking it was unnecessary and embarrassing.
The colonoscopy revealed that Martin had a large tumor in her colon, which was malignant. She was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer, meaning that the cancer had spread to nearby lymph nodes. The doctor told her that she needed surgery to remove the tumor and part of her colon, followed by chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Martin was shocked and devastated by the news. She had always been healthy and active, and she had no family history of colon cancer. She wondered how she could have gotten such a terrible disease, and what it meant for her future.
The Treatment: A Courageous Battle
Martin decided to fight the cancer with all her strength and optimism. She underwent the surgery in June 1982, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. The operation lasted six hours and removed about a foot of her colon. She also had a colostomy, which is a procedure that creates an opening in the abdomen for waste to pass through into a bag.
Martin recovered well from the surgery, but she faced many challenges and complications afterwards. She had to adjust to living with a colostomy bag, which she found uncomfortable and embarrassing. She also had to endure several rounds of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, which caused her to lose her hair, appetite, and energy.
Despite the physical and emotional toll of the treatment, Martin never gave up hope or lost her spirit. She continued to work as much as she could, appearing in several TV shows and specials. She also wrote an autobiography titled My Heart Belongs, which was published in 1984. She candidly shared her life story and her battle with cancer in the book.
Martin also received a lot of support from her family and friends during this difficult time. Her son Larry Hagman was especially close to her, and he often visited her at her home in Rancho Mirage, California. He also helped raise awareness and funds for colon cancer research through his own foundation.
Martin also found comfort in her faith and spirituality. She was a devout Christian Scientist, who believed in the healing power of prayer and positive thinking. She also explored other forms of alternative medicine, such as acupuncture and meditation.
The End: A Peaceful Farewell
Martin’s cancer went into remission for a while after the treatment, but it returned in 1989. By then, it had spread to other parts of her body, including her liver and lungs. She decided not to undergo any more aggressive therapies, but rather to focus on palliative care and quality of life.
Martin spent her last months surrounded by her loved ones at her home in Rancho Mirage. She celebrated her 76th birthday on December 1st, 1989, with a party attended by many of her friends from the entertainment industry. She also received many letters and phone calls from her fans around the world, who expressed their admiration and gratitude for her work.
Martin died peacefully on November 3rd, 1990, with her son Larry by her side. Her death was announced by her publicist Dale Olson, who said that she “died as gracefully as she lived”. Her funeral was held at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Palm Desert, California. She was buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Weatherford, Texas.
The Legacy: A Lasting Inspiration
Mary Martin left behind a remarkable legacy as one of the greatest stars of Broadway and television history. She won four Tony Awards for her performances in South Pacific, Peter Pan, The Sound of Music, and I Do! I Do!. She also won an Emmy Award for her portrayal of Peter Pan on TV in 1955. She was honored with a Kennedy Center Award in 1989, and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999.
Martin also inspired generations of performers and audiences with her talent, charm, and joy. She was known for her ability to connect with people of all ages and backgrounds, and to make them feel happy and hopeful. She was also admired for her courage and resilience in facing her cancer, and for her generosity and kindness in helping others.
Martin’s life and work are still celebrated today, through various tributes and memorials. Her son Larry Hagman established the Mary Martin Gallery of Fine Art in Fort Worth, Texas, which showcases her paintings and sculptures. Her hometown of Weatherford, Texas, named a park and a theater after her. Her costumes and memorabilia are displayed at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., and the Museum of the City of New York.
Mary Martin’s cause of death was colon cancer, but her spirit lives on in the hearts and minds of millions who love her. She was a true star who shone brightly on stage and screen, and who touched many lives with her grace and beauty. She was a woman who lived by her own motto: “Never grow up”.
