The late actress Farrah Fawcett is often recognized for her iconic feathered blonde hair and signature red bathing suit, yet friends describe her as a down-to-earth Texas girl at heart, even in the face of cancer.
Alana Stewart, a close friend and president of the Farrah Fawcett Foundation, shared a poignant memory from a time when Fawcett was undergoing treatment for anal cancer in Germany.
Stewart recalls a particular night in Frankfurt when Fawcett had just undergone a painful procedure. They were returning to the clinic late at night, and Stewart noticed Fawcett in pain while lying down in the back of their vehicle.
Donna Mills, a board member of the Farrah Fawcett Foundation, also highlighted Fawcett’s kindness, emphasizing her down-to-earth nature despite her fame
Suddenly, she spotted a Whataburger in the distance—a beloved Texas fast-food chain. “I told Farrah about it, and she insisted we stop,” Stewart said. “She wanted to go inside herself, despite it being around one in the morning, and it was just so typically Farrah.”
Donna Mills, who starred in Knots Landing and serves on the board of the Farrah Fawcett Foundation, echoed Stewart’s sentiments, saying, “She was just one of the gang.”
Mills emphasized Fawcett’s humility, saying she never let her stardom affect her friendly demeanor. “She was always so sweet, accommodating, and lovely,” Mills added, noting that despite never having worked together, she considered Fawcett a friend.
Stewart initially met Fawcett during casting calls, and their connection deepened years later at a celebrity tennis tournament. It was at a dinner party in 1979, while Stewart was married to Rod Stewart and expecting her daughter, that their friendship truly blossomed. This bond remained strong until Fawcett’s passing in 2009 at age 62, with Stewart describing their relationship as that of kindred spirits.
“I told her, ‘You’re like my sister,’ and she responded, ‘More than a sister,'” Stewart recalled, reflecting on their final moments together. Following Fawcett’s death, Stewart took the reins of the foundation, which aims to promote cancer research, prevention, and public awareness. An annual gala, co-chaired by Stewart, Linda Gray, and Jaclyn Smith, is set to take place in Texas on October 24, 2024.
Mills highlighted that Fawcett’s original vision for the foundation was to manage it herself, believing she would overcome her illness and help others facing similar struggles. “She didn’t think she was going to die,” Mills stated.
Stewart emphasized Fawcett’s mission for the foundation, wanting to shed light on the often-taboo subject of anal cancer. “Farrah once told her doctor, ‘I’m almost glad I got cancer because now I know I can make a difference,'” Stewart shared. The memory still gives her chills, as Fawcett genuinely aimed to create awareness.
Despite her cancer progressing, leading to her death three years after her diagnosis, Fawcett’s legacy endures, reaching far beyond her famous 1970s image. “I miss her every day,” Stewart said emotionally. “I often think, ‘I wish I could call her and talk about this.’ Even during her busiest times, we would talk for hours, and I deeply miss those conversations.”
