Helen Williams and Vanessa Williams
Bruce Glikas/WireImageVanessa Williams honors her mother, Helenafter she died at the age of 85.
“On December 28th, the world lost a powerhouse, dynamo and force of nature packed into a 5-foot frame,” the actress, 61, wrote via Instagram on Thursday, January 2. “Our mum, Helen Williams, known as Gaga to many, took her final bow in London 20 days after celebrating her 85th birthday surrounded by family and friends.
She added, “It’s impossible to describe everything she meant to everyone because each person saw a different aspect of her. Loyal friend to many, icy stares to a select few. We will miss them all.”
Williams further revealed that her mother’s cause of death was “due to complications of acute liver failure.”
Helen saw her daughter’s performance in the The devil wears Prada music shortly before her death. Williams stars as Miranda Priestly in the London stage adaptation, a role made famous by Meryl Streep in the 2006 film.
“She had recently traveled to London for the opening night The Devil Wears Prada The Musical in the West End and to celebrate her 85th birthday party, surrounded by 150 of her family and friends,” Williams added in her statement. “During her visit, she suffered a severe decline in health, which ended her life.”
Helen is survived by Ugly Betty alum, as well as son CHRISTOFER57, and numerous grandchildren. She is predeceased by her husband, Miltonwho died in 2006 after a battle with pancreatitis.
It was later announced that Williams would no longer perform in a selection of The devil wears Prada appears at the end of this month.
When Vanessa Williams was crowned Miss America, her life changed instantly. Not only did the win bring her new responsibilities within the pageant world, but she also made history by becoming the first black woman to win the special title. “I was in charge of something I never thought would ever happen in my life,” (…)
“Due to an unexpected loss in her family, Vanessa Williams will not be appearing from Wednesday 8th to Wednesday 15th January,” read a statement on the show’s official social media page. “During this time the role of Miranda Priestly will be played Debbie Kurup. Vanessa will return to of The devil wears Prada from Thursday January 16.”
Williams retweeted the casting news via her Instagram Story on Friday, January 3.
Williams was particularly close to her mother, with the pair co-authoring a 2012 memoir You Have No Idea: A Famous Girl, Her No-nonsense Mother, and How They Survived Pageants, Hollywood, Love, Loss (and Each Other).
“I had two parents and a family that always supported me. Support is very important and when they saw that I had the desire to pursue a career in the arts, I got the right training,” Williams said. Forbes at that time. “I danced all my life. I was a musician. I acted and went to musical theater. Preparation is what gave me the skills that gave me longevity in this career. Follow your dreams, but it’s also nice to have a family that supports your dreams instead of saying, “Get a real job.”
Helen joined Williams for the interview, revealing that one of her favorite memories was attending her daughter’s Broadway debut in 1994 “because it was something she had always wanted to do her whole life.”
