How Did Rita Hayworth Die?
Rita Hayworth died of Complications from Alzheimer's disease on May 14, 1987, at age 68.
What was Rita Hayworth's cause of death?
Rita Hayworth died on May 14, 1987, in New York City at the age of 68 from complications of Alzheimer's disease. She had been diagnosed in 1980 after years of erratic behavior that had been misunderstood and misdiagnosed. Cared for by her daughter Princess Yasmin Aga Khan, her very public battle became a landmark in raising awareness of the disease.
How old was Rita Hayworth when they died?
Rita Hayworth was 68 years old at the time of death.
When did Rita Hayworth die?
Rita Hayworth died on May 14, 1987.
Rita Hayworth Biography
Margarita Carmen Cansino, known as Rita Hayworth, was born on October 17, 1918, in Brooklyn, New York. A dancer turned screen siren dubbed 'The Love Goddess,' she became the defining glamour star of the 1940s in films like Cover Girl, Gilda, and The Lady from Shanghai.
Personal Life
Who are Rita Hayworth's parents?
Unknown
Was Rita Hayworth married?
Rita Hayworth was married once, to Prince Aly Khan (1949–1953).
Did Rita Hayworth have children?
Rita Hayworth had 2 children: Rebecca Welles, Princess Yasmin Aga Khan.
What religion was Rita Hayworth?
Rita Hayworth was N/A.
What was Rita Hayworth's ethnicity?
Rita Hayworth was of American / Spanish heritage.
Career Highlights
Movies
- Cover Girl (1944) — Watch on Amazon
- Gilda (1946) — Watch on Amazon
- The Lady from Shanghai (1947) — Watch on Amazon
- Pal Joey (1957) — Watch on Amazon
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Facts About Rita Hayworth
- Became the ultimate 1940s screen siren, nicknamed 'The Love Goddess'
- Her performance of 'Put the Blame on Mame' in Gilda is iconic
- Was once married to Orson Welles and later to Prince Aly Khan
- Her long, undiagnosed struggle helped raise public awareness of Alzheimer's disease
Rita Hayworth Quotes
"Every man I knew went to bed with Gilda and woke up with me."
Legacy
Rita Hayworth remains an enduring emblem of 1940s Hollywood glamour, and her illness helped bring Alzheimer's disease into public consciousness.
Sources
Last verified: 2026-08-17