Suzanna Leigh, the British actress who starred with Elvis Presley in the 1966 movie Paradise, Hawaiian Style, passed away on December 11, 2017, at the age of 72. She had been diagnosed with stage-four liver cancer in September 2016 and had been fighting the disease with the help of her friends and fans. In this article, we will look at her life, career, and cause of death.
Early Life and Career
Suzanna Leigh was born as Sandra Eileen Anne Smith on July 26, 1945, in Berkshire, England. She attended convent schools outside London and began working in films as a child, appearing as an extra in several British productions. She changed her name to Suzanna Leigh after meeting her godmother, the legendary actress Vivien Leigh, who encouraged her to pursue her dreams.
Suzanna Leigh made her film debut in the 1958 fantasy film Tom Thumb, and went on to appear in several movies and TV shows in the 1960s and 1970s. She caught the attention of Hollywood producer Hal Wallis, who cast her opposite Tony Curtis in the comedy Boeing Boeing (1965) and sent her to Hawaii to play Elvis Presley’s love interest in Paradise, Hawaiian Style (1966). She became friends with the rock’n’roll star and later called him a “fabulous actor”.
She also starred in several horror films, such as The Deadly Bees (1966), The Lost Continent (1968), Lust for a Vampire (1971), and The Fiend (1972). She had her own series in France, Trois étoiles en touraine (1966), and played Amber in Son of Dracula (1974), opposite Ringo Starr.
Personal Life and Struggles
Suzanna Leigh had a turbulent personal life, marked by failed relationships, financial difficulties, and health problems. She was involved with Tim Hue Williams, the father of her only child, Natalia, but he abandoned her during her pregnancy and refused to pay child support. She raised her daughter as a single mother and devoted her life to her.
She also faced several challenges in her career, as a dispute between the American Screen Actors Guild and its UK equivalent Equity cost her many roles that could have made her a bigger star. She had to resort to selling encyclopedias and working as a receptionist to make ends meet. She later wrote a 2000 autobiography, Paradise, Suzanna Style, in which she shared her experiences and memories.
Cause of Death and Legacy
Suzanna Leigh was diagnosed with stage-four liver cancer in September 2016, after experiencing severe abdominal pain and weight loss. She underwent chemotherapy and surgery, but the cancer had spread to other organs. She moved to Winter Garden, Florida, where she received hospice care and support from her friends and fans. A GoFundMe page was set up in her name to help with her medical expenses.
She died on December 11, 2017, surrounded by her loved ones. She was cremated and her ashes were scattered in the ocean, as she had wished. She is survived by her daughter, Natalia, and her granddaughter, Valentina.
Suzanna Leigh was a beautiful and talented actress, who left a lasting impression on the audiences with her charm and grace. She was a brave and loving woman, who faced many hardships with dignity and faith. She will be remembered as one of the stars of the golden era of cinema, and as a friend of Elvis Presley.
Sources: According to The Independent, according to Wikipedia, according to The Hollywood Reporter, according to Legacy.com.
