We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Conditions

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Who are Some Famous People That Had Alzheimer's Disease?

By S. Mithra
Updated: Mar 03, 2024
Views: 26,303
References
Share

Famous people who suffer from the degenerative neurological Alzheimer's Disease remind us that there is currently no prevention, no cure, and no discrimination when it comes to diagnosis. Political figures, actors, and athletes alike can use their recognition to bring attention to the need for research, early diagnosis, and increased awareness. Ironically, though, the disease makes it extremely difficult for such figures to make public appearances, as they cannot reliably deliver speeches or interact with media when their memory and functionality is on the decline.

Perhaps the most well-known sufferer, of course, was the 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan. He drastically increased public awareness for the tragic illness through his personal mission of education and fundraising. In 1983, he declared November National Alzheimer's Disease month to call attention to the growing numbers of seniors succumbing to debilitation. He founded the Ronald and Nancy Reagan Research Institute, in coordination with the Alzheimer's Association, to explore the possible causes and courses of treatment, especially focusing on early detection. When he passed away in 2004, he left a lasting legacy of research funds to benefit a country whom now better understood and appreciated the tragic condition.

Other political figures have not been so public about their Alzheimer's Disease. The modern American conservative of the 60s, Barry Goldwater, who died of Alzheimer's in 1998, lived his last years in private. Experts still disagree whether Sir Winston Churchill, the Prime Minister of Great Britain, suffered from Alzheimer's Disease or a dementia associated with strokes. A family doctor insists Churchill did not have the neurological disorder, yet many of his symptoms are consistent with Alzheimer's. More than anything, this speaks to the shame and uncertainty surrounding a proper diagnosis.

Charlton Heston, an actor and political activist, is among the few celebrities still suffering from Alzheimer's. Heston became famous in the 50s for epics such as The Ten Commandments. He remained popular for three decades, starring in adventures, westerns, and earning two Oscars. After retiring from acting, he took up conservative causes, most notably as President of the National Rifle Association. He's advocated for progress in Alzheimer's Disease after being diagnosed in 2001. On behalf of the Academy of Molecular Imaging, Heston released a public service announcement urging those without symptoms of Alzheimer's to use a new detection method, PET scans of the brain. Positron Emission Tomography can diagnose Alzheimer's very early and gives patients a chance to enjoy their symptom-free time.

Other actors, such as the classical Hollywood pin-up Rita Hayworth of the 40s and ultra-masculine Charles Bronson of the 60s, also had Alzheimer's Disease. Since they were diagnosed late, and didn't have the kind of public support recently garnered, our country's climate didn't permit them to make statements before their deaths. Similarly, the boxer Sugar Ray Robinson and singer Perry Como suffered from advanced Alzheimer's in the later years of their private life, and succumbed to the disease in 1989 and 2001 respectively.

Share
The Health Board is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Link to Sources
Discussion Comments
By anon190243 — On Jun 25, 2011

Researchers say keep the mind busy and play games that make you think. Well, who uses their minds more than long time actors? They memorize all those lines, and are thinking when they act out a role, and still so many have alzheimer's?

By anon149766 — On Feb 05, 2011

There is hope! There is prevention and there is a cure. I've witnessed it countless times in my practice. And it's a lot easier than you've been led to believe. Look up Lynn Capehart Wellness Project 2011 at WordPress. Blog 5: Alzheimer's and Geriatic Dementia, tells you how to prevent it and also how to bring people back out of the fog once they've been diagnosed, by using no prescriptions or drugs, but only common food supplements. And it works really fast. Almost too good to be true, but check it out anyway. You won't be disappointed.

By StormyKnight — On Oct 10, 2010

Alzheimer’s is such a sad disease. As with many diseases, people think that movie stars or famous people are exempt from getting Alzheimer’s disease.

Performer Harry Ritz suffered from the disease, as did artist Norman Rockwell. Author E.B. White was also affected by the disease.

By somerset — On Feb 19, 2008

Director Otto Preminger of "Porgy and Bess", and "Advise and Consent" fame, and Vicente Minnelli who directed "Gigi" and "An American in Paris" among other films.

Share
https://www.thehealthboard.com/who-are-some-famous-people-that-had-alzheimers-disease.htm
Copy this link
The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.