Annette Funicello dies at 70

[Brock]

I am glad her suffering is over. Her appearance on W5 a few months ago was tragic.

 

Actress Annette Funicello, best known as a child performer on the original “Mickey Mouse Club” and for her beach movies with Frankie Avalon, died on Monday. She was 70.

 

Her family confirmed to “Extra” that Funicello died from complications of multiple sclerosis. They were by her side at a Bakersfield hospital when she was taken off life support. Funicello had been in an MS coma for years.

 

Funicello's only daughter, Gina Gilardi, said in a statement, "She's on her toes dancing in heaven... no more MS. My brothers and I were there, holding her sweet hands when she left us."

 

The perky star got her start at 12 years old as an original Mouseketeer. As a teenager, she transitioned to a successful career as a singer with his like "Tall Paul" and "Pineapple Princess.”

 

She then gained popularity when she starred with teen idol Frankie Avalon in a series of "Beach Party" movies in the mid-1960s.

 

In 1992, Annette announced she had MS, a secret she kept for many years. She lost the ability to walk in 2004 and to speak in 2009.

 

Funicello was married to her first husband, Jack Gilardi, from 1965 until 1981, and had three children. In 1986, she married California harness racing horse breeder/trainer Glen Holt.

 

http://www.extratv.com/2013/04/08/former-mouseketeer-annette-funicello-dead-at-70/

[Taylor]

RIP.

[Lucyilove]

Such a sweet valiant lady and one of the true icons of the 1950's, one of the youngest and one of the last. So sad she had to suffer for so long, rest in peace little Mousekateer.

[MONALISAISMONALUCY]

So sad that she suffered so long with this illness. RIP Annette