Heartbreak for Vanessa Williams as her ‘remarkable’ mother dies after flying to London to see her daughter perform in West End show
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Vanessa Williams has announced the death of her ‘remarkable’ mother, who died during a trip to London to see her perform in a West End show.
The actress, 61, said Helen died at The London Clinic on December 28 aged 85 due to complications from ‘acute liver failure’.
She had flown to Britain to see Vanessa on stage in a musical adaptation of the film The Devil Wears Prada and to celebrate her 85th birthday.
Vanessa confirmed the sad news in a statement shared on Instagram as she paid tribute to the “loyal friend and powerhouse.”
She wrote: “On December 28, the world lost a powerhouse, dynamo and force of nature, packed into a 6-foot frame.
“Our mother, Helen Williams, known to many as Gaga, took her final bow in London, 20 days after celebrating her 85th birthday, surrounded by family and friends.”
Vanessa Williams has announced the death of her ‘remarkable’ mother who passed away during a recent trip to London (pictured together in 2022)
Vanessa added: ‘It’s impossible to describe everything she meant to everyone because everyone saw a different facet of her. Loyal friend to many, icy stares for a chosen few.
‘We will all miss it. During her visit [to London] she suffered a serious decline in her health that ended her life.”
The actress then added “some reflections” on Helen’s “remarkable life” after working as a teacher and university professor before retiring in 1996.
The statement revealed that Helen would tell her students: ‘Work as best you can and don’t let anyone tell you you can’t do something – never! Make up your mind, prepare, study hard and be very confident.”
It added that she was a “shop lover,” loved to travel and was a devoted grandmother.
In addition to being the mother of Vanessa, she was also the mother of a son named Christopher. Her husband of 45 years, Milton, died in 2006.
Helen will be remembered at ‘intimate private memorial services’ in January and the family have asked for donations to the Helen Tinch Williams Vocal Performance Fund.
Vanessa is currently starring in the new musical – based on the hit book and film – as the iconic Miranda Priestly.
The actress, 61, said Helen died on December 28 aged 85 at The London Clinic due to complications from ‘acute liver failure’ (Vanessa pictured in December)
Vanessa confirmed the sad news in a statement shared on Instagram as she paid tribute to the “loyal friend and powerhouse.” Our mother, Helen Williams, took her final bow in London’
She wrote: “On December 28, the world lost a powerhouse, dynamo and force of nature, packed into a 6-foot frame.
The actress then added “some reflections” on Helen’s “remarkable life” after working as a teacher and university professor before retiring in 1996.
The production screened preview performances at the Theater Royal Plymouth in July and August, ahead of its West End opening in October.
In a promo for the show shared in early July that boasts, “Miranda has arrived,” the actress and singer was seen dramatically shooting under the stage.
The musical is based on Lauren Weisberger’s 2003 best-selling novel and the 2006 blockbuster film, which received two Academy Award nominations.
Vanessa plays Miranda Priestly, the powerful New York City editor-in-chief of the fictional fashion magazine Runway, who was played by Meryl Streep in the film adaptation.