Shannen Doherty, an actress cherished for her roles in Charmed and Beverly Hills, 90210, passed away on July 13 after a prolonged battle with breast cancer.
Doherty finalized her divorce with Kurt Iswarienko, her husband of over a decade, almost immediately before her death, as Entertainment Weekly reports.
The actress, 52, succumbed to her illness after a courageous fight. According to documents obtained by People, she was in the process of finalizing her separation from her third husband, Iswarienko, shortly before she passed.
In a tragic twist, a judge granted her a posthumous divorce on July 15. The decision came just days after both parties signed the necessary paperwork, with Doherty signing on July 12 and Iswarienko on July 13, coinciding with the day she died.
Doherty initially filed for divorce in 2023 amid ongoing health challenges. Her diagnosis of breast cancer in 2015 had dominated much of her life, although she achieved remission briefly in 2017. However, the cancer returned in 2020, and she had been undergoing treatment.
The divorce documents called for a clear separation of assets and terminated her earlier requests for spousal support. Fearing her residual income from Charmed was about to dry up as the show was leaving streaming services at the end of June 2024, Doherty had been seeking spousal support from Iswarienko.
Amy Robach, a close friend and journalist, shared, "She had a significant impact on me as we were diagnosed two years apart initially. Every cancer is different, but she and I connected, and she knew she was in a fight for her life."
Doherty was surrounded by family and loved ones at the time of her passing. Tributes poured in from her co-stars and friends, who remembered her as a resilient and supportive figure even in the darkest of times.
Olivia Munn reached out to Doherty after her breast cancer diagnosis in 2023, and they quickly became friends. Munn reflected, "True to form, Shannen was offering her support even though she was in the final stage of fighting this horrific disease."
Former co-stars Rose McGowan, Jason Priestley, and Brian Austin Green also paid tribute to Doherty, celebrating her strength and dedication throughout her career and personal struggles.
Shannen Doherty's impact extended well beyond her on-screen roles. Her bravery in facing her health battles and her openness about her journey with cancer resonated with many around the world.
Her divorce marked a significant chapter in her life's final weeks, highlighting her determination to take control of her personal affairs even as she faced her mortality. The posthumous granting of her divorce underscores the sense of closure she sought for herself and her family.
Doherty's passing brings to a close a chapter defined by profound personal and professional achievements, and her bravery remains a beacon for those battling similar adversities. The outpouring of love and tributes from her peers and friends is a testament to the impact Shannen Doherty made on and off the screen. Her life and fight will be long remembered and celebrated.