It can be very painful when stars who are by far the most talented among legendary stars die sooner than expected. It almost feels like a waste of talent. They have so much still to offer. However, we love them even in death and they will continue to hold a spot in our lives for the joy and impact they brought into this world.
1. Elvis Presley
From his voice to his looks and his incredible music, Presley was one of the greatest ‘rock n roll’ artists of his time. Unfortunately, after his divorce to Priscilla his wife, he started using drugs and apparently overdosed and died of heart disease at the age of 42. Among legendary stars, his legacy keeps on growing.
2. Whitney Houston
It seems like legendary stars are always plagued. Whitney was a gift to humanity. Her laughter, music and strong vocals quickly got her the spotlight. However, Whitney had struggled with drugs most of her life and had even secretly sought help. Unfortunately, after her final divorce from Bobby Brown, she was alone and empty and resumed drug use. She was found dead in a tub at the age of 48.
3. Anna Nicole Smith
Nicole was the winner of the 1993 playmate of the year. She is a model, television personality and actress. However, she went through a difficult time in her life leading up to her death. Her son had just passed away and the media was all over the place with the news. This is also coupled with the custody battle over her new daughter. Therefore, I imagine how overwhelming these series of events can be. Nicole overdosed on prescription medicine and was found dead in her hotel room at the age of 39.
4. Bobbi Kristina Brown
Bobbi Kristina was the daughter of legendary stars Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston. I guess the same weaknesses that plagues parents sometimes plague their children. Bobbi Kristina was just like her mother, found dead in a tub and was put on life support before she eventually passed. Unfortunately, she left us at an early age of 22.
5. Bob Marley
Reggae music is on the map today because of Bob. Bob was a Jamaican musician, singer-songwriter, and guitarist known everywhere in the world. Furthermore, he has received multiple awards for his performance and talents. Unfortunately, Bob was plagued with skin cancer which eventually killed him at the age of 36.
6. Paul Walker
Everyone loves the fast and the furious movie and all its sequels. Paul was one of the legendary stars starring in the movie. Not only does he have passion for acting, but a passion for charity and the welfare of others as well. Unfortunately, he passed away at the age of 40 in a car crash that caused the car to explode into flames. Thankfully, he passed while doing good and bringing joy to the lives of the victims of the Philippines typhoon.
7. John Lennon
The English singer-songwriter is one of the most respected and mourned of all legendary stars. More so, John was an activist and fought hard for his beliefs. He had criticized the Vietnam war which caused him a lot of enemies. Even his attempt to flee was futile as he was shot 4 times to his back. Though he was rushed to the hospital, unfortunately, he couldn\’t survive and was pronounced dead at the age of 40.
8. Cory Monteith
Many legendary stars struggle with drug addiction and alcohol abuse. Cory is no different. These stars really have issues. In Cory’s case, he has checked himself into a rehabilitation facility multiple times seeking help. Unfortunately, none helped. Therefore, the star still died of the same vices at the age of 31.
9. Karen Carpenter
Anorexia is a dangerous disease which took the life of Karen at the age of 32. She struggled with eating disorders most of her adult life. However, that doesn’t take away her talent, music and powerful voice. She also had some relationship clashes with her mother and brother before going solo. More so, many people couldn’t bare taking a look at her because of how her disease had negatively impacted her physical outlook. I would imagine her struggle before she finally passed.
10. Christopher Wallace aka Notorious B.I.G
B.I.G was a victim of a drive-by shooting. He’s one of the few legendary stars to influence the entertainment industry. However, B.I.G was shot 4 times and died at the very young age of 24. Sadly, his killer was never caught coupled with the ‘snitch law’ in place at the time. Thankfully, his music will continue to outlive him.
11. Kurt Cobain
One of the most influential of legendary stars in his time was Kurt Cobain. However, the rock star continued to openly struggle with drug addiction and depression. Shortly after the birth of his daughter Frances Cobain, he checked into a rehabilitation facility for drug addicts. However, just 3 months after exiting the rehabilitation center, he committed suicide. I guess his rehab experience made matters worse.
12. Marilyn Monroe
Monroe is noted as one of the female legendary stars of all time. In spite of her death, she made so much impact during her short life. Monroe did not only leave behind beautiful pictures and movies of her iconic sexual figure, but also left so much words of wisdom behind. Apparently, she struggled with depression and had some medication prescribed to her. Unfortunately, she overdosed on them and was found naked and dead on her bed by her housekeeper at the age of 36.
13. Tupac Shakur
This iconic star recorded one of the highest-selling rap albums of all time. Furthermore, Tupac has changed the face of rap music and his music continues to outlive him. Unfortunately, he was shot multiple times and died six days after his admission into a medical facility. More so, his assailants could not be identified primarily due to the ‘snitch law’ in place at the time. Sadly, Tupac left us at a very young age of 25.
14. Aaliyah Dana Haughton
Most legendary stars die of addiction or substance abuse. However, Aaliyah’s life was shortened by a tragic plane crash. Ironically, the pilot was under influence as traces of cocaine and alcohol was found in his system during the autopsy. As a result, she met a tragic death on her way to Bahamas at the age of 22.
15. Elliott Smith
Singer-songwriter Elliott sadly took his own life at the age of 34. Reports show that he has continuously struggled with drugs and alcohol abuse as well as depression. Also, the events leading up to his death was after a fight with his girlfriend. He had allegedly stabbed himself in the chest leaving a suicide note behind.
16. Ian Curtis
It is extremely difficult for legendary stars to manage a full time career, a marriage as well as failing health at the same time. More so, Ian was epileptic and I imagine that the pressure was too much for him to handle. The young iconic post-punk star took his own life by hanging at the age of 23, just one year after rising to fame and stardom. Quite unfortunate, his star life as well as his physical life were both shortened.
17. Selena Quintanilla-Pérez
Selena is an iconic star that paved the way for many of the female mexican-american legendary stars you see today. Unfortunately, her club president took her life at the young age of 23. However, she will forever be remembered as one of the brave women to impact the world. Thankfully, her legacy lives on as well as her name in Selena Gomez who was allegedly named after her by her parents.
18. Janis Joplin
Joplin was among the legendary stars to be plagued with drug addiction and alcohol abuse. She is known for her strong personality and soulful voice. Joplin had been part of a singing group before going solo. Unfortunately, she died of heroin abuse supported by alcohol. However, her death was ruled accidental because the heroin she overdosed on was said to be stronger than usual. More so, other users from the same dealer died of the same problem in the same week.
Sources
Wonderwall – Celebrities Who Died Too Soon
Top 5 – Only The Good Die Young: 30 Iconic Stars Who Left Us Way Too Soon
Rolling Stone – Celebrity Deaths That Changed Music History: Gone Too Soon
Us Magazine – Most Shocking Celebrity Deaths of All Time
More – 20 Legendary Musicians Who Died Way Too Soon