Losing a loved one—whether a parent, partner, sibling, child, or friend—is a heart-wrenching experience that no one should have to endure, especially at a young age or unexpectedly. Unfortunately, it is a reality that many face.
Recently, my mom passed away after a brief battle with cancer. At 28, I find myself grappling with how to navigate life without her, manage my grief, and more. It’s incredibly challenging.
In this difficult time, I’ve found solace in knowing that I’m not alone. Hearing from others who have experienced similar losses has been therapeutic. Beyond friends who have gone through it, I’ve turned to stories from some of my favorite actors and singers who have also dealt with loss and grief.
For anyone out there who needs to hear that you’re not alone, here are 15 celebrities who have openly shared their experiences with grief after losing a loved one and how they’ve coped:
1. Austin Butler shared that his grief was overwhelming after his mother died in 2014. While auditioning for “Elvis” (2022), he found strength in knowing that Elvis, who also lost his mom young, likely felt the same way. This realization helped him persevere and push himself.
2. Andrew Garfield spoke about hoping his grief over his mom’s death stays with him. In a 2021 interview with Stephen Colbert, he described his tears as “unexpressed love” and emphasized that grief is a beautiful thing that remains with us.
3. Regina King described herself as a “different person” after her son’s death in 2022. In a 2024 interview on Good Morning America, she explained that grief is a journey and that it represents love with no place to go.
4. After Matthew Perry’s death in 2023, Jennifer Aniston wrote a heartfelt tribute on Instagram. She talked about learning to live with grief and how sitting in it allows one to feel moments of joy and gratitude for having loved deeply.
5. Carol Burnett has shared stories about receiving “signs” from her daughter Carrie, who died in 2002. In a recent interview, she recounted receiving a Birds of Paradise plant, Carrie’s favorite flower, from a director who didn’t know its significance.
6. Prince Harry discussed his relationship with grief following Princess Diana’s death in 1997. He emphasized the importance of talking about it and celebrating the life of the loved one, which makes things easier.
7. John Travolta, after the death of his wife Kelly Preston, shared in a 2021 interview that mourning is a personal journey. He stressed that everyone’s grief is different and that experiencing one’s own journey is key to healing.
8. Lupita Nyong’o has been open about how Chadwick Boseman’s death in 2020 affected her. In a tribute, she wrote about the profound confusion and the difficulty of accepting death, but also the love generated from his life.
9. Michelle Williams found parenting her daughter Matilda after Heath Ledger’s death in 2008 challenging but helpful in her grieving process. She mentioned that looking at her daughter helped her feel connected to him.
10. Queen Latifah, after her mom’s death in 2018, shared that she receives “little signs” from her mom daily. She described how lights flicker and people come into her life unexpectedly, providing comfort.
11. Riley Keough, after Lisa Marie Presley’s sudden death in 2023, reflected on dealing with multiple tragedies. She spoke about the pain and how adversity has strengthened her qualities.
12. Megan Thee Stallion has been vocal about the impact of losing her mother. She shared that her mom’s opinion meant everything to her, and now she struggles with self-assessment without her mom’s validation.
13. Louis Tomlinson, after losing his mom and sister, said in a 2019 interview that the dark experiences gave him strength in other areas of his life, as they were the darkest things he had to deal with.
14. Dove Cameron wrote an emotional tribute to her late father in 2019. She shared how visiting his favorite restaurant in LA after nine years brought back memories and how she keeps her life with him separate from her current life.
15. Liam Neeson, after Natasha Richardson’s sudden death in 2009, has been open about his ongoing relationship with grief. In a 2011 interview, he explained that grief is unpredictable and that one can’t prepare for it.
Grief is a deeply personal and non-linear journey. It can be comforting to know that even those in the public eye, who seem to have it all together, also struggle with loss and find ways to cope. If you are dealing with the loss of a loved one, remember that you are not alone, and it’s okay to seek support and share your feelings.
Source: Various sources
