Kirk Douglas' Widow Anne Buydens Dies Aged 102
Kirk Douglas' Widow Anne Buydens Dies Aged 102
The tragic news has just come in that Kirk Douglas' widow, Anne Buydens, has died at the age of 102...
And tributes have been pouring in.
Now, actor Kirk Douglas sadly died at the age of 103 on February 5th, 2020.
He passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family.
The news was confirmed by his son, Michael.
"It is with tremendous sadness that my brothers and I announce that Kirk Douglas left us today at the age of 103," he said.
"To the world, he was a legend, an actor from the golden age of movies who lived well into his golden years, a humanitarian whose commitment to justice and the causes he believed in setting a standard for all of us to aspire to."
Michael continued:
"But to me and my brothers Joel and Peter he was simply Dad, to Catherine, a wonderful father-in-law, to his grandchildren and great grandchild their loving grandfather, and to his wife Anne, a wonderful husband.
"Kirk's life was well lived, and he leaves a legacy in film that will endure for generations to come, and a history as a renowned philanthropist who worked to aid the public and bring peace to the planet."
He concluded his touching tribute by revealing what he told his father on his final birthday.
"Let me end with the words I told him on his last birthday and which will always remain true. Dad- I love you so much and I am so proud to be your son."
But, even more heartbreakingly...
Kirk left behind his wife of nearly seventy-years, Anne Buydens.
The couple had one hell of a journey together.
Kirk first met Anne, who was a producer at the time, on the Paris set of 1953's Act of Love and, in their 2017 book, Kirk and Anne: Letters of Love, Laughter and a Lifetime in Hollywood, the actor wrote that he was immediately drawn to Anne.
The couple wed in Vegas in 1954...
And went on to have 2 sons together, Eric and Peter, who joined Kirk’s other sons from his previous marriage — Joel and Michael.
The couple dedicated much of their lives to philanthropist work...
Through their joint organization, the Douglas Foundation, they fought to "help those who cannot otherwise help themselves," and have together donated millions to several worthy causes.
And, just over 2 weeks after his death, the fate of Kirk's fortune was revealed.
In typical Douglas fashion, they bequeathed it to charity, rather than their family. In a previous interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Kirk had said:
"My wife is very smart. Fifty years ago she set up a trust, and it's been growing ever since. So recently [in 2012] I said, 'How much money do we have in that?' And she said, '$80 million.' I said, 'What?!'"
They made quite the team!
So, understandably, Anne must have been going through a tremendously difficult time adjusting to life without her partner.
But today, over a year on from Kirk's death, the news we have all been dreading has arrived.
TMZ has reported that Anne has passed away at the age of 102.
Kirks' widow died peacefully on April 29th at her Beverly Hills home which she shared with her late husband, according to reps for the family.
Rest in Peace, Anne.
Our deepest thoughts and condolences go out to her family during this difficult time.
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