Anne Buydens Douglas, who died April 29 at age 102, collaborated with her husband Kirk Douglas in extraordinarily generous philanthropic ventures. The couple, both of whom reached their centenary, showed that advanced age can be accompanied by heightened humanistic values.
Born Hannelore Marx in Hanover, Germany, to a family of wealthy industrialists, she acquired business smarts directly from her father. This acumen served her well decades later in 1954 when she married Douglas, a movie star whose finances were in a state of ruins.
By astute dealing and investments, as well as a lucrative art collecting habit, Anne Douglas accumulated dozens of millions of dollars, which she and her husband resolved to donate to a range of charities, from health care and social work to the arts.
Earl Gibson III/WireImageAfter losing father Kirk Douglas last year, actor Michael Douglas is mourning the death of his stepmother, Anne. The matriarch was 102. In a statement to ABC News, the Douglas family confirmed Anne died Thursday. "It is with.
Anne Douglas, Producer and Widow of Kirk Douglas, Dies at 102
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Anne Douglas, the wife of Kirk Douglas and producer known for her philanthropy work, has died. She was 102.
The Douglas family announced she peacefully died at her home in Beverly Hills on Thursday afternoon. Her death comes about one year after the death of her husband, who died in February 2020. The couple were married for 66 years.
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“Anne was more than a stepmother, and never ‘wicked,’” actor and stepson Michael Douglas said in a statement. “She brought out the best in all of us, especially our father. Dad would never have had the career he did without Anne’s support and partnership. Catherine and I and the children adored her; she will always be in our hearts.”
Michael Douglas shares heartbreaking tribute after stepmother Anne Douglas dies aged 102 Hello! 8 hrs ago
Anne, the widow of
Kirk Douglas, passed away at the age of 102 on Thursday.
In a statement, released to
People, the 76-year-old actor said: Anne was more than a stepmother, and never wicked . She brought out the best in all of us, especially our father.
He added: Dad would never have had the career he did without Anne s support and partnership. Catherine [Zeta-Jones] and I and the children adored her; she will always be in our hearts.
No cause of death was given for the former film publicist, but it has been reported she died at the Beverly Hills home where she lived with her husband Kirk for 66 years.
Anne Douglas, widow of actor Kirk Douglas, dies at 102
Updated Apr 30, 2021;
Posted Apr 30, 2021
FILE - In this May 4, 2017, file photo, Kirk Douglas kisses his wife Anne s hand, in Los Angeles during a party celebrating his 100th birthday. Anne Douglas, the widow of Kirk Douglas and stepmother of Michael Douglas, died Thursday, April 29, 2021, in California. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon, File)AP
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BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) Anne Douglas, the widow of Kirk Douglas and stepmother of Michael Douglas, died Thursday in California. She was 102.
Douglas died at her home in Beverly Hills, according to an obituary provided by spokeswoman Marcia Newberger. No cause of death was given.