CHEERS TO YOU KIRSTIE!

WHY THE LATE STAR KEPT HER CANCER BATTLE A SECRET

- Karleigh Smith

From Olivia Newton-John and Judith Durham to Angela Lansbury and Queen Elizabeth II, 2022 has taken some of our most cherished stars. But as the year draws to a close, it seems we aren’t yet done with the farewells.

Kirstie Alley’s two children, Lillie and True Stevenson, sent shockwaves around the world last week, when they announced the 71-year-old actress had died on December 5 after a “recently discovered” battle with colon cancer.

“Nobody outside of her family and a very select few others knew [she was sick],” a source close tells New Idea exclusively.

“Kirstie lived a life of addiction, lost love, family bliss, all of it,” adds the friend. “Despite it all, she maintained this sunny outlook on life and a don’tmess-with-me attitude. For that, she will be missed.”

Kirstie shot to fame in 1987 playing Rebecca Howe in the sitcom Cheers