Star Wars actor's tragic final flight before she died saw her mom die hours later

June 11, 2024

Star Wars icon Carrie Fisher’s final flight was when she was on her way to go see her mother, Debbie Reynolds. Unfortunately, she wouldn’t make the journey, leading to another tragedy a day later.

Carrie Fisher, known for her portrayal of Princess Leia in the Star Wars trilogy, tragically suffered a heart attack on her last flight. She embarked on the plane on December 23, 2016, to spend the special time with her family. But she sadly passed away four days later, after Christmas, after being rushed to hospital.

Carrie Fisher’s mom Debbie had ‘everything planned’

Debbie Reynolds had prepared for Christmas early, putting everything in place to mark the festive celebration with her daughter. She had already set the table, ready to start the joyous day. But fate would have it they never got to spend it together as she had planned.

She even had the menu marked out and loved the time of year so much she kept a Christmas tree up all year round.

But she received a call that her daughter had become seriously ill.

The 60-year-old movie star was on her way back to Los Angeles when tragedy struck. She died days later in hospital, and her mother also sadly died a day later, on December 27.

Debbie’s cause of death was listed as a stroke, but her son Todd said it was ‘heartbreak’.

Todd Cameron told People the table she had set days earlier, just ‘sat there’, as the family dealt with the grief.

‘It’s almost as if they’re never really gone’

Although the festive season is tough on the family over the tragedies, Todd believes their memories will continue on.

Carrie Fisher’s daughter, Billie Lourd, is “becoming a star” in her own right. She has made waves as part of the hit TV show American Horror Story for several seasons.

She, along with Star Wars co-star Mark Hamill, unveiled Carrie’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame after her death in her memory. Billie paid tribute to her mother by wearing a dress that had her face on it.

Carrie followed in the footsteps of her celebrity parents. Debbie featured alongside Gene Kelly in the musical classic Singing In The Rain, as well as in the comedy hit Will and Grace.

At the age of 15, Carrie’s first brush with show business saw her appearing in a broadway show next to her mother. In 1975, she appeared in Shampoo, with Warren Beatty and Goldie Hawn.

Her most notable role was Princess Leia in the Star Wars franchise.