Legendary actress and model Raquel Welch, a global icon known for her captivating presence on screen and status as a sex symbol, passed away on February 15, 2023, at the age of 82.
While her manager initially stated she died peacefully after a “brief illness,” her death certificate has since provided more specific details regarding the circumstances of her passing.
The document, obtained by TMZ, lists cardiac arrest as the immediate cause of death. However, it also notes that Alzheimer’s disease was an underlying condition that contributed to the events leading to her death.
Welch had not publicly disclosed her Alzheimer’s diagnosis before her death. The revelation that she was battling this form of dementia adds another layer to understanding the health challenges she faced in her final years.
Her passing marked the end of an era in Hollywood, prompting tributes from fans and industry colleagues who remembered her impactful career.
Raquel Welch, born Jo Raquel Tejada in Chicago, Illinois, in 1940, rose to international fame in the 1960s. Her breakthrough moment arrived with the 1966 film “One Million Years B.C.,” where her image wearing a prehistoric bikini became instantly iconic and propelled her into sex symbol status worldwide.
Also in 1966, she starred in the science-fiction film “Fantastic Voyage.” These roles solidified her place as a prominent figure in the entertainment landscape.
Over her extensive career spanning more than 50 years, Welch appeared in over 30 films and 50 television series and appearances. She showcased her versatility in various genres, including comedic adaptations and dramas.
She won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical in 1974 for her role in Richard Lester’s “The Three Musketeers.” She was also nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in Television Films for her performance in the 1987 film “Right to Die.”
Beyond her film and television work, Welch was also involved in other ventures. She had a successful line of high-end wigs, sunglasses, and other fashion items, building a brand beyond her acting roles.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, her net worth was estimated at $40 million at the time of her death. This wealth was accumulated through her diverse career in acting, modeling, and business endeavors.
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Before her death, Welch was married four times, though none of the marriages were ongoing at the time of her passing. All of her marriages ended in divorce, according to The Sun.
Her first husband was James Welch, her high school sweetheart whom she married in 1958 while attending San Diego State College, according to ABC News and the San Diego Union Tribune. She acquired her stage name from this marriage.
Raquel and James Welch had two children together, a son named Damon Welch and a daughter named Tahnee Welch, by the time she was 21, as reported by the San Diego Union Tribune. The couple divorced in 1964.
Following her first marriage, she wed Patrick Curtis, her agent and a producer, according to WFMZ and ABC News. Curtis was instrumental in shaping her public image.
According to ABC News, Curtis “devised a plan to turn Welch into a sex symbol.” He advised her to keep her ex-husband’s surname, Welch, to “avoid typecasting as a Latina actress,” ABC News reported.
Raquel Welch married Patrick Curtis on February 14, 1967, and they divorced in 1972.
Her third marriage was to French director André Weinfeld. They married in 1980 and were married for 10 years before divorcing, according to Closer Weekly. Weinfeld told Closer in 2015 that they “had a very happy marriage.”
Weinfeld attributed the divorce to distance, telling Closer, “She moved back to La La Land and I stayed in New York [City] and Paris.” He joked that he was the “sex symbol” in their marriage.
According to Closer, Weinfeld considered himself the “champion” for having the longest marriage to Welch. However, Welch married again after their divorce.
Her fourth and final husband was Richard Palmer, whom she married in 1999. Palmer was the “owner of Mulberry Street Italian restaurant in Beverly Hills and Richie’s Neighborhood Pizza stores,” according to the Globe and Mail.
Welch and Palmer were married in a small, private ceremony at her Beverly Hills home after dating for two years, the Tampa Bay Times reported. They had met at a party in 1996, according to The New York Post.
Palmer expressed admiration for his wife, telling The Post, “My wife is a living legend.” He added, “I get great seats at the fights. You go wherever you want to go. It’s great.” They separated in 2003, according to the Globe and Mail, and divorced later.
In her later years, Welch reportedly expressed contentment with being single. According to The Sun, she told Piers Morgan, “I’m too set in my ways. I like what I do, I actually enjoy being me and I make a very good living at it and I’m happy. I don’t have to have a man.”
