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 passed away during a trip to London to see her perform in a West End show.
The actress, 61, said Helen died December 28 aged 85 at The London Clinic due to complications from ‘acute liver failure.’
She had flown to the UK to see Vanessa on stage in a musical adaptation of the film The Devil Wears Prada and celebrate her 85th birthday.
Vanessa confirmed the sad news in a statement shared to Instagram as she paid tribute to the ‘loyal friend and powerhouse.’
She wrote: ‘On December 28th, the world lost a powerhouse, dynamo and force of nature packed into a 5ft frame.
‘Our mom, Helen Williams, aka Gaga to many, 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 all she meant to everyone because each person saw a different facet of her. Loyal friend to many, icy stares to a chosen few.
‘We will miss it all. During her visit [to London] she suffered a major decline in health which ended her life.’
The actress went on to add ‘some reflections’ on Helen’s ‘remarkable life’ after working as a teacher and college professor before retiring in 1996.
The statement revealed Helen would tell her students: ‘Work the best you can and don’t let anyone tell you that you cannot do something – ever! Make up your mind, prepare yourself, study hard, and be very, very confident.’
It added that she was a ‘shopping devotee’, loved travel and was a devoted grandmother.
As well as mum to Vanessa, she was also a mother to 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 has asked for donations to be given 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 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 to Instagram as she paid tribute to the ‘loyal friend and powerhouse’ Our mom, Helen Williams, took her final bow in London’
She wrote: ‘On December 28th, the world lost a powerhouse, dynamo and force of nature packed into a 5ft frame.
The actress went on to add ‘some reflections’ on Helen’s ‘remarkable life’ after working as a teacher and college professor before retiring in 1996
The production showcased preview performances at the Theatre Royal Plymouth in July and August prior to opening on the West End in October.
In a promo for the show shared in early July, which boasts: ‘Miranda has arrived,’ the actress and singer was seen shooting from underneath the stage in dramatic fashion.
The musical is based on Lauren Weisberger’s best-selling 2003 novel and the 2006 blockbuster film – which went on to receive two Academy Award nominations.
Vanessa portrays Miranda Priestly, the powerful New York City–based editor-in-chief of the fictional fashion magazine Runway, who was played by Meryl Streep in the movie adaptation.
