The iconic pint-sized triple threat Shirley Temple has died at age 85 after a celebrated career in film and television, surviving breast cancer and, later in life, serving as a U.S. ambassador to Ghana and Czechoslovakia.
Her family confirmed the news in a statement via the Official Shirley Temple Website:
“We announce with great sadness that Ambassador Shirley Temple Black, former child star and forever America’s little darling, peacefully passed away February 10, 2014 at her Woodside, California home from natural causes at the age of 85 years.
“We salute her for a life of remarkable achievements as an actor, as a diplomat, and most importantly as our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and adored wife for 55 years of the late and much missed Charles Alden Black.”
Throughout her life, Temple was the recipient of several honors including a special Juvenile Academy Award, the National Board of Review Career Achievement Award, and the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award. However, for most people she will forever be remembered for her trend-setting golden ringlets and enchanting a plane full of gents with her unspeakably cute rendition of “On the Good Ship Lollipop” in the 1934 movie Bright Eyes.
RIP Little Princess.
Photo by AFP via Getty Images.
