Shannen Doherty Dead at 53: Remembering Her Life and Legacy

Fans will never forget Shannen Doherty’s life and legacy.

The Beverly Hills, 90210 star died at the age of 53 following her yearslong battle with cancer.

"On Saturday, July 13, she lost her battle with cancer after many years of fighting the disease," her publicist Leslie Sloane said in a statement to NBC News. "The devoted daughter, sister, aunt and friend was surrounded by her loved ones as well as her dog, Bowie. The family asks for their privacy at this time so they can grieve in peace.”

Doherty was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. Two years later, the Charmed actress announced she’d gone into remission. But in 2019, Doherty informed her nearest and dearest that her cancer had returned. She publicly shared the news that she was battling stage 4 cancer the following year.

“It's a bitter pill to swallow in a lot of ways,” Doherty said in a 2020 interview with ABC News. “I definitely have days where I say, ‘Why me?' And then I go, ‘Well why not me? Who else? Who else beside me deserves this?' None of us do.”

Throughout her journey, the Heathers alum kept fans updated on her health. In 2023, Doherty revealed the cancer had spread to her brain and then to her bones.

Still, she remained positive.

"Every day is a challenge," Doherty said on a March episode of her podcast Let’s Be Clear. "Because with cancer, things change all the time. Your protocols stop working. You think you've got this protocol that's amazing and then all of a sudden your body just stops reacting to it. And those are hard moments to get through. But I'm happy because I'm still here.”

Over the years, Doherty took on many roles, including Brenda Walsh on Beverly Hills, 90210, Prue Halliwell on Charmed, Heather Duke on Heathers and Jenny Wilder on Little House on the Prairie. To look back at her life and career through photos, keep reading.