Tributes pour in for Hollywood star Raquel Welch after she dies following brief illness
"A real-life queen of the big screen."
Tributes have poured in after Hollywood legend Raquel Welch died aged 82 following a "brief illness".
The actress rose to fame for her roles in the '60s movies Fantastic Voyage and One Million Years B.C, which led to her becoming a much sought-after star and sex symbol.
Her family confirmed the news of her death to TMZ, telling the website that she passed away on the morning of 15 February.
Leading the tributes to Welch was her Legally Blonde co-star Reese Witherspoon who tweeted that she was "elegant, professional and glamorous".
So sad to hear about Raquel Welch's passing. I loved working with her on Legally Blonde. She was elegant , professional and glamorous beyond belief. Simply stunning. May all her angels carry her home. 🕊️ Sending love to her family and her many fans ❤️ pic.twitter.com/FBtXhpvS25
— Reese Witherspoon (@ReeseW) February 15, 2023
Filmmaker Edgar Wright also posted: "RIP Raquel Welch. A real-life queen of the big screen.
"Incandescent and iconic in ‘Fantastic Voyage’, ‘Bedazzled’, ‘One Million Years BC’, ‘Myra Breckinbridge’, ‘The Three / Four Musketeers’, ‘The Last Of Sheila’, ‘Mother Jugs & Speed’, ‘Kansas City Bomber’ and so many more."
Meanwhile, Carol Vorderman tweeted "what a woman", revealing she was at Welch's son's wedding to cricketer Fred Trueman's daughter which was "wild".
Rest In Peace Raquel Welch....what a woman 🙏🏼
I was at her son's wedding (pic) to Yorkshire cricketer Fred Trueman's daughter Rebecca. It was wild. She was sensational. A lot of laughing & every other bedroom in the hotel had a news editing suite in it. I loved it all. Wild pic.twitter.com/PZ17Zv8Hz9— Carol Vorderman (@carolvorders) February 15, 2023
Welch won a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture Actress in a Musical or Comedy for her 1974 role in The Three Musketeers.
Along with her impressive movie career, the actress' long list of TV credits includes Bewitched, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Seinfeld and McHale’s Navy.
You can read more tributes to Welch below.
R.I.P. #RaquelWelch 🖤 pic.twitter.com/5MOJBqkXNe
— Antonio Banderas (@antoniobanderas) February 15, 2023
Raquel Welch dying is a very weird feeling
— Chris Meloni (@Chris_Meloni) February 15, 2023
🤍🕊️🤍
Peace
Raquel Welch
A staggering beauty— Daryl Hannah (@dhlovelife) February 16, 2023
Raquel Welch, actor and international icon who fought to be taken seriously, passes at 82 - Los Angeles Times#ripRaquelWelch
Sweet, funny & kind 💖 https://t.co/AajUoOeo70— Frances Fisher VoteYES on SAV 🦋 (@Frances_Fisher) February 15, 2023
Raquel Welch was one of the most wonderful people I’ve ever worked with. Performing a duet with her on The Muppet Show helped moi become the W-O-M-A-N I am today! We’ll never forget vous, Raquel! pic.twitter.com/fo0saG7EiD
— Miss Piggy (@MissPiggy) February 15, 2023
So sad to hear of the passing of Raquel Welch. Such a talented and stunningly beautiful woman! R.I.P. Raquel Welch. https://t.co/rckNgJFcVr
— Robert Patrick 🇺🇸 (@robertpatrickT2) February 15, 2023
A unique beauty who left her one of a kind groovy vibe wherever she went #raquelwelch https://t.co/kwfPboN1GJ
— Sandra Bernhard (@SandraBernhard) February 15, 2023
