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Bette Davis -

The Oscar-winning actress, who had a very successful career spanning more than half a century, succumbed to breast cancer on October 6, 1989, at the age of 81.

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Olivia Newton-John -

The award-winning British and Australian singer and actress, was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992. The 'Grease' star passed away on August 8, 2022. Olivia Newton-John was 73.

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Nina Simone -

The legendary singer-songwriter, pianist, and civil rights activist, died in her sleep on April 21, 2003. The 'Feeling Good' singer lost her battle with cancer at the age of 70.

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Kelly Preston -

The actress, best known for starring in movies such as 'Twins' (1988) and 'Jerry Maguire' (1996) died of breast cancer on July 12, 2020. The late wife of actor John Travolta was 57.

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Linda McCartney -

The famous photographer and musician, also known for being married to Paul McCartney of The Beatles, died three years after being diagnosed with breast cancer. She passed away on April 17, 1998, at the age of 56.

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Ingrid Bergman -

The Swedish actress who conquered Hollywood sadly died of breast cancer on her 67th birthday, on August 29, 1982.

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Hattie McDaniel -

Hattie McDaniel was the first African American woman to ever win an Academy Award. She won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Mammy in 'Gone with the Wind' (1939). McDaniel died of breast cancer on  October 26, 1952, aged 59.

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Juliette Gordon Low -

The founder of Girl Scouts of the USA left us on January 17, 1927. Juliette Gordon Low was 66 when she died of breast cancer. 

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Sarah Harding -

The English singer, actress, and member of the group Girls Aloud, died of breast cancer on September 5, 2021. Sarah Harding was 39.

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Soraya -

The Colombian-American music star died of breast cancer on May 10, 2006. The Latin Grammy Award-winner was 37.

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Rosalind Russell -

The iconic actress lost her battle with breast cancer on November 28, 1976, at the age of 69.

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Dusty Springfield -

The English pop singer, known for songs such as 'Son-Of-A Preacher Man' died on March 2, 1999. Dusty Springfield fell victim to breast cancer at the age of 59.

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Marnie Schulenburg -

The actress, best known for starring in the CBS soap opera 'As the World Turns' (1956–2010), succumbed to breast cancer on May 17, 2022, at the age of 37.

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Naomi Sims -

Naomi Sims, often credited as being the first African-American supermodel, died of breast cancer on August 1, 2009. She was 61.

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Laura Ziskin -

The film producer, best known for 'Pretty Woman' (1990) and numerous 'Spider-Man' movies, died on June 12, 2011. She was 61.

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Syreeta Wright -

The American singer-songwriter, whose collaborations with ex-husband Stevie Wonder and music artist Billy Preston, were quite successful, died on July 6, 2004. Wright's cause of death was congestive heart failure, a side effect of the treatments she was receiving for breast and bone cancer. She was 58.

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Gloria Grahame -

The actress, who won an Oscar for her role in 'The Bad and the Beautiful' (1952) was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1974. Gloria Grahame passed away on October 5, 1981, aged 57.

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Jacqueline Susann -

The American novelist, best known for her bestseller 'Valley of the Dolls,' died 12 years after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Susann left us on September 21, 1974, at the age of 56.

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Patricia Roberts Harris -

The first African American woman to serve in the United States Cabinet (during President Jimmy Carter's administration), died of breast cancer on March 23, 1985. Harris was 60.

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Kay Francis -

Kay Francis was the highest-paid actress at Warner Bros. studio between 1930 and 1936. She fell victim of breast cancer on August 26, 1968, at the age of 63.

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Jill Ireland -

The English actress, best known for co-starring in multiple films with her husband Charles Bronson, passed away on May 18, 1990. Ireland succumbed to breast cancer at the age of 54.

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Susan Strasberg -

The American actress lost her battle with breast cancer on January 21, 1999. Susan Strasberg was 60.

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Rachel Carson -

The American marine biologist who wrote one of the most influential books on environmental science, 'Silent Spring,' died of breast cancer on April 14, 1964. Carson was 56. 

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Vivian Vance -

The actress, best known for her role in the sitcom 'I Love Lucy' (1951–1957), died of breast cancer on August 17, 1979, aged 70.

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Lynn Redgrave -

The Golden Globe-winning actress was first diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2002. Lynn Redgrave passed away on May 2, 2010, at 67.

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Fannie Lou Hamer -

The women's rights activist, civil rights movement leader, and Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party co-founder, died on March 14, 1977. Hamer was 59.

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Dorothy Hewett -

The Australian feminist playwright, poet, and author, died of breast cancer on August 25, 2002, aged 79.

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Audre Lorde -

The American writer who self-described as "black, lesbian, feminist, socialist, mother, warrior, poet," died of breast cancer on November 17, 1992, aged 58.

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Kathy Acker -

The American experimental writer died from complications of breast cancer on November 30, 1997, aged 50. 

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Grace Paley -

The American author and political activist left us on August 22, 2007. Paley died of breast cancer at the age of 84.

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Gretchen Wyler -

The actress and animal rights advocate died of breast cancer on May 27, 2007. Gretchen Wyler was 75.

Sources: (Ranker) (On This Day) (World Health Organization)

See also: Meet the stars who have battled cancer

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