Ina Balin was a talented and versatile actress who starred in many films and TV shows in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. She is best known for her role in the film From the Terrace (1960), for which she received two Golden Globe Award nominations and won one for Most Promising Newcomer – Female. She also adopted three Vietnamese orphans during the fall of Saigon in 1975 and portrayed herself in a TV movie based on her experience, The Children of An Lac (1980). However, her life was cut short by a chronic lung disease that claimed her life in 1990. What was the cause of her death and how did she cope with her illness? Here are some facts about Ina Balin’s cause of death and her legacy.
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The Diagnosis: Primary Pulmonary Hypertension
According to All Star Bio, Ina Balin was diagnosed with primary pulmonary hypertension, a rare and incurable condition that causes high blood pressure in the lungs. This condition can lead to heart failure, blood clots, and respiratory failure. The cause of primary pulmonary hypertension is unknown, but some factors that may increase the risk include family history, obesity, smoking, and exposure to certain drugs or toxins.
Ina Balin was a heavy smoker for most of her life, which may have contributed to her lung disease. She also traveled to Vietnam several times to adopt her children and to work as a humanitarian. It is possible that she may have breathed or ingested something that triggered her pulmonary hypertension. According to Classic Movie Hub, some Vietnamese women who developed pulmonary hypertension may have gotten it from the herb fen-fen, which was used as a weight-loss supplement.
The Treatment: Lung Transplantation
Ina Balin tried various treatments to manage her lung disease, such as medication, oxygen therapy, and exercise. However, her condition worsened over time and she became dependent on oxygen tanks. She also suffered from frequent infections and hospitalizations. According to Solutions Plus Online, she needed to have a lung transplant very urgently, but she faced many challenges in finding a suitable donor.
Ina Balin was on the waiting list for a lung transplant for several years, but she never received one. She also faced discrimination and prejudice from some doctors who refused to operate on her because of her age, smoking history, or adoption status. She even filed a lawsuit against one hospital that denied her a transplant because she had adopted children from Vietnam.
The Death: Complications of Chronic Lung Disease
Ina Balin died on June 20, 1990, at the Yale-New Haven Hospital in Connecticut. She was 52 years old. A spokesman for the hospital said that she died of complications of chronic lung disease. She was surrounded by her family and friends, including her three adopted children.
Ina Balin’s death was mourned by many people who admired her work and her courage. She was buried at the Riverside Cemetery in Westport, Connecticut. Her tombstone reads: “Ina Rosenberg Balin / Actress / Humanitarian / Mother / November 12, 1937 – June 20, 1990”.
The Legacy: A Role Model for Adoption and Human Rights
Ina Balin left behind a legacy of compassion and activism for adoption and human rights. She was one of the first celebrities to adopt children from war-torn countries and to raise awareness about the plight of refugees. She also supported various causes such as animal welfare, environmental protection, and AIDS research.
Ina Balin’s life story inspired many people to follow her example and to adopt children from different cultures and backgrounds. Her adopted children also continued her humanitarian work and honored her memory. Nguyet Baty became a nurse and founded an orphanage in Vietnam. Ba-Nhi Mai became a lawyer and worked for the United Nations. Kim Thuy became a teacher and wrote a memoir about her experience.
Ina Balin was a remarkable woman who overcame many obstacles and challenges in her life. She was not only a successful actress but also a devoted mother and a generous humanitarian. She showed courage and resilience in facing her lung disease and fighting for her right to live. She died too soon but left a lasting impact on the world.
