Actress battling cancer dies, says goodbye to the world at age of 53

American actress Shannen Doherty, best known for her role as high school student Brenda Walsh in the 1990s hit television drama "Beverly Hills, 90210", died after battling cancer for several years. People magazine gave the information on Monday, July 14. She was 53 years old.

The magazine quoted Doherty's PR Leslie Sloane as saying, "With a heavy heart, I am confirming the death of actress Shannen Doherty. On Saturday, July 13, after fighting the disease for several years, she succumbed to cancer." Doherty had publicly spoken about her battle with breast cancer.

"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," Sloane said.

She revealed in 2015 that she was undergoing treatment for the disease. In 2023, her brain tumor was removed and it was discovered that the cancer had spread to her bones.

In November 2023, the Beverly Hills 90210 actress opened up to PEOPLE about her Stage 4 breast cancer, which had already spread to her bones. She stated that she didn't "want to die." The star was initially diagnosed with the disease in 2015.

“I’m not done with living. I’m not done with loving. I’m not done with creating. I’m not done with hopefully changing things for the better,” she told PEOPLE. "I’m just not — I’m not done.”

The actress, who previously starred in the movie "Heathers," gained fame playing Brenda, an honor roll student from Minnesota, on "90210." On the show, her character became embroiled in a love triangle with Dylan McKay (Luke Perry) and Kelly Taylor (Jennie Garth). In real life, Doherty clashed with Garth and other cast members and left "90210" during its fourth season in 1994. The show continued without her until 2000.

Following her rise to prominence in Beverly Hills, Doherty landed a role on Charmed as Prue Halliwell, the eldest of three witch sisters. She not only starred in the series but also directed a number of its episodes until departing at the conclusion of its third season in 2001.

She agreed to participate in the 2019 TV revival of Beverly Hills, 90210, where she would reprise her role as the iconic grownup.

The actress claimed to be aware of her stage 4 cancer diagnosis, but she withheld it from the cast following the untimely death of 52-year-old costar Luke Perry in March 2019.