Celeb Couples Who Died Close Together
"Can you die from a broken heart?" is not just a question they ask in sad country songs. It's actually a phenomenon that scientists have been fascinated by for years, and it sounds like the answer — although obviously in rare cases — is "yes." Take for example NFL quarterback Doug Flutie's parents, Dick and Joan, who both died of a heart attack within just an hour of each other, according to The Cut. Talk about the real-life "Notebook."
We all know how terribly painful heartbreak can be — whether it's following a breakup or the death of someone close to us, but it doesn't stop there: One study, conducted over several years, found that participants over 60 were more likely to suffer a myocardial infarction or stroke within 30 days of their partner dying. Even if it doesn't lead to death, a broken heart can lead to an actual medical condition known as "broken heart syndrome" or "takotsubo cardiomyopathy," according to the American Heart Foundation. How crazy is that?!
As the cliché goes, celebrities, they're just like us, etc., etc., so certain famous people have also been known to die within months, or even days, of each other. It's super sad, but it's also incredibly sweet — just think how much they must have loved each other. Keep reading to find out which public figures were just as devoted to their partner as Allie and Noah were.
Johnny and June Carter Cash couldn't live without each other
Speaking of sad country songs, Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash not only performed many together, but have also inspired some pretty poignant lyrics over the years. "When you're gone, I wanna go too, like Johnny and June," sang Heidi Newfield in 2008. "I just wanna love like Johnny and June / We can leave tomorrow, take a trip to the moon," rapped Jelly Roll in 2020.
The legendary country singers, whose extraordinarily moving love story was also immortalized in the 2005 film "Walk the Line," died within months of each other. In May 2003, it was June who went. Rolling Stone reported that she passed away from complications following heart surgery. Soon, in September of that year, it was Johnny's turn to go, dying from "complications of diabetes," his manager told The New York Times. The Cash couple's love story is up there with one of the most beautiful there ever was. Take this line from 1969 track "Darlin' Companion" for example: "Darlin' companion, now you know you'll never be abandoned. Love will always light our landin': I can depend on you." Now that's what we call love.
Brittany Murphy and Simon Monjack had strangely similar deaths
Brittany Murphy, who delivered some of the most quotables lines in movie history — "you're a virgin who can't drive" and "I hope not sporadically," anyone? — tragically passed away at the age of 32. She went into cardiac arrest and died in Los Angeles on Dec. 20, 2009, The Guardian reported at the time. It was later established that the actor "died from pneumonia but anemia and prescription drugs also played a role," according to The Guardian. Murphy was survived by her husband of two years, Simon Monjack.
Tragically, Monjack, a British screenwriter, died soon after his wife, in May 2010. He had previously had problems with his heart, per The Guardian. "We concluded there [were] no signs of foul play or any criminal activity involved," said a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department. It was discovered that Monjack also died of pneumonia and anemia (via CNN).
The couple's similar — and somewhat unusual — causes of death raised eyebrows, prompting rumors that the alleged presence of mold in their home could have been partly to blame, but these rumors were soon dispelled. Los Angeles County assistant chief coroner Ed Winter told ABC News, "At the time of their death, both of them were in very poor health. I don't think they ate correctly or took care of themselves. They didn't seek medical attention." Murphy and Monjack were married in 2007, and were described as "inseparable" (via People).
George H.W. and Barbara Bush were reunited with their late daughter
Barbara Bush passed away in April 2018, leaving behind a strong legacy of philanthropy and a brood of loving adult children (including former president George W. Bush). "My dear mother has passed on at age 92," George W. said in a statement (via USA Today). "Laura, Barbara, Jenna, and I are sad, but our souls are settled because we know hers was." Barbara Sr. was most known for promoting family literacy throughout her lifetime. Mere months later, in November, there came another blow to the Bush family: George H.W. Bush, also a former president, had passed away at age 94. According to CNN, the patriarch felt ready to join his wife and late daughter Robin at the time of his death.
With the Bush couple's deaths so close together, soon much ink was spilled about the likelihood of George H.W. having died from a broken heart following the passing of his beloved spouse. Although it would be near-impossible to say for sure whether this was in fact the case, experts didn't appear to rule it out. "Any organ can fail, or all the organs can fail," Dr. Martin Samuels told Time about the physical damage that can occur when facing bereavement. "Losing a spouse is one of the most stressful circumstances that human beings have to face." An associate professor from Duke University School of Medicine, Matthew Dupre, also told the publication that men often particularly struggle after losing their wives, who tend to encourage "healthful habits."
Doctor Who actor Mary Tamm and husband Marcus Ringrose weren't apart for long
Mary Tamm, a Yorkshire, England-born actor who played companion Romana to Tom Baker's "Doctor Who" in the 1970s, unfortunately died after battling with cancer for months in July 2012, according to BBC News. "She was a darling companion and wonderfully witty and kind," Baker said upon learning the sad news. "I'm so sorry to hear of her death." Tamm also appeared in cult British soap operas "Eastenders" and "Coronation Street," as well as portraying Blanche Ingram in a 1983 mini-series rendition of "Jane Eyre," according to her IMDb page.
Marcus Ringrose, who was a stockbroker and Tamm's husband since 1978, was not long for this world after the departure of his dear wife, according to The Guardian. It was suspected that he died of a heart attack on the day of Tamm's funeral, but only after having delivered what we can only assume was a heart-wrenching eulogy. The Daily Mail reported that he had not had a heart attack, but had endured Sudden Adult Death Syndrome. Together, Tamm and Ringrose had a daughter named Lauren and a grandchild named Max, The Guardian noted.
British Prime Minister James and Audrey Callaghan died within two weeks of each other
When his wife Audrey died on March 16, 2005, it was too much to bear for former British Prime Minister James "Big Jim" Callaghan — or so it seems, anyway. The politician died 11 days later, on March 26, as reported by BBC News at the time. Announcing the sad news of Audrey's passing in The Times, hers and James' two children said their mom was "for 67 years the much loved and loving wife of James, and a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother" (via BBC News).
James, who was at his wife's side when she died, passed away just one day shy of turning 93 years old. Fellow statesman Lord Hattersley told BBC News of James' death, "It was not a major surprise — I knew what a blow the death of his wife Audrey was a few days ago." He added, "He was a decent kindly man who helped me and my generation of politicians immensely. The Labour party and the country will be poorer without him." James Callaghan served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom between 1976 and 1979. He and Audrey tied the knot in 1938, eight years after they first met in Maidstone, Kent, according to Kent Online.
Irish soccer referee Mattie and wife Bridie Stafford are missed in Waterford
A bright star of Irish soccer ("football," for the initiated), long-time referee Mattie Stafford died within 24 hours of his wife Bridie, the Irish Mirror reported in August 2015. The Football Association of Ireland Chief Executive John Delaney paid tribute to Mattie, who was a fixture of the sport in Waterford, Munster, and suffered a heart attack after Bridie passed away. "I was shocked to learn of the passing of Matt Stafford and his wife Bridie within hours of each other and my thoughts are with their son and daughters and the extended family at this very sad time," Delaney said.
Commenting on the timing of the couple's deaths, Waterford junior league secretary Noel O'Keeffe seemed amazed. "It's incredible really," he told the Irish Mirror. "It's like something you would see in a movie. It's good that neither of them were alone for too long." As for the love the two shared, it sounds pretty undeniable. "He was speaking to me about Bridie, he was just talking about their life together," O'Keeffe continued. "He was just heartbroken." Thankfully, the heartbreak was short-lived for Mattie — but less so for his and Bridie's six surviving children. Mattie and Bridie's funeral organizers requested optional donations to the Irish Heart Foundation in their notice.