Photo Credit: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images
Everyone’s favorite TV house mom, Charlotte Rae, died in her Los Angeles, Calif home this yesterday (Aug. 5) at the age of 92.
The Facts of Life actress announced she had been diagnosed with bone cancer last April (2017). At that time, she also revealed she had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer seven years prior.
“About seven years ago, I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer — which is a miracle that they found it because usually, it’s too late. My mother, sister, and my uncle died of pancreatic cancer. After six months of chemotherapy, I was cancer-free. I lost my hair, but I had beautiful wigs. Nobody ever knew. So now, at the age of 91, I have to make up my mind. I’m not in any pain right now. I’m feeling so terrific and so glad to be above ground. Now I have to figure out whether I want to go have treatment again or opt for life.”
She went on to say, “I love life. I’ve had a wonderful one already … I’ve had a great life, but I have so many wonderful things happening. I’d like to choose life. I’m grateful for the life I’ve already had.”
The woman affectionately known as Mrs. G released a book in 2015 called The Facts of My Life. There, she revealed the story of her 44 years of sobriety, her husband’s bisexuality, and more.”
While Rae is best known for her roles in Facts of Life and Different Strokes, she’s also known for her work on The Love Boat, ER, and 101 Dalmatians: The Series.
Check out a throwback episode of Facts of Life below.