The Alcoholic Traumas of 'Star Wars' Icon Carrie Fisher: A Look Back 8 Years After Her Tragic Death

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It's been eight years since legendary Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher died in 2016 from cardiac arrest, contributing factors to which were sleep apnea and atherosclerosis. She was only 60 years old.

A Closer Look

Beyond her recognition as Princess Leia in Star Wars, Carrie Fisher, the daughter of Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher, became well-known for her candid commentary and wit. Yet, she was quite serious regarding her health struggles and addictions, specifically with alcohol.

In 2008 Fisher published the memoir, Wishful Drinking, Fisher discussed her issues with drinking. As she wrote in the book, “Happy is one of the many things" she was likely to be "over the course of a day and certainly over the course of a lifetime."

However, she clarified, "...if you have the expectation that you’re going to be happy throughout your life — more to the point, if you have a need to be comfortable all the time — well, among other things, you have the makings of a classic drug addict or alcoholic.”

Research has frequently indicated that alcohol is often utilized as a coping mechanism. With her trademark humor, Fisher clarified how alcohol can exacerbate any challenging situation in life.

Three Days After

Three days after Carried Fisher's tragic death, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office explained that a relapse was partially to blame for her passing, along with “sleep apnea and other undetermined factors.” But there were signs of “multiple drug intake.”

The actress also suffered from “drug use” and atherosclerotic heart disease, a condition in which fats, cholesterol, and other substances build up on the artery walls, the statement said.

Following the medical examiner's report, Fisher’s daughter, Billie Lourd, made a public statement, saying her mother “battled drug addiction and mental illness her entire life” and that “she ultimately died of it.”

“She was purposefully open in all of her work about the social stigmas surrounding these diseases,” Lourd continued. “I know my Mom, she’d want her death to encourage people to be open about their struggles. Seek help, fight for government funding for mental health programs. Shame and those social stigmas are the enemies of progress to solutions and ultimately a cure."

Her Mother Died the Next Day

Carrie Fisher died four days after suffering a cardiac event on a flight from London to Los Angeles. Her mother, Debbie Reynolds, died the day after her daughter.

Lasting Impression

The combination of Carrie Fisher's talent, humor, integrity, and honesty in dealing with life's challenges will forever remain her inspiring legacy.