Zsa Zsa Gabor, a Hungarian actress and socialite who some might consider to have been the original Kim Kardashian, died on Sunday afternoon of a heart attack.
She was 99 years old.
“They tried to save her,” her husband, Frédéric Prinz von Anhalt, told NBC News of his wife’s demise, adding:
“She was still breathing when they got here, but we ended up losing her. I am grateful that she died with no pain.”
Gabor, who was set to turn 100 years old in February, had suffered through a number of physical ailments and health problems over the past few years.
This is understandable, of course, considering her advanced age.
In 2011, for example, Gabor had to have her right leg partially amputated due to an infection.
Her husband continued to hold birthday parties for Gabor over the past decade, but the long-time star was so sick that visitors were not permitted in her bedroom.
Zsa Zsa Gabor and her younger sister, Eva Gabor, were socialites in Beverly Hills for several years back in the day.
The late actress appeared in over 80 television shows and movies combined, often portraying herself toward the latter stages of her career.
She was married to Conrad Hilton, Paris Hilton’s, grandfather, from 1942-1947.
Overall, Gabor was married an astonishing nine times.
As time progressed and the comparison to social media stars of this generation increased, those close to Gabor grew irate.
They pointed to her long and respected film career as evidence that she earned her fame and wealth via hard work and talent, which is more than many can say about Hilton, Kardashian and others.
“I hate it when there’s been comparisons [of] when the Gabors were at their peak – quoted everywhere and in photos with kings and queens and international playboys – and then there’s comparisons to the Kardashians,” Zsa Zsa’s publicist, Edward Lozzi, told NBC after his client’s passing.
He added that these comparisons make him “sick.”
Gabor was born in Budapest.. studied at a Swiss boarding school… was crowned Miss Hungary in 1936 … and sang and acted in Europe in the 1930s before arriving in Hollywood.
She portrayed singer Jane Avril, in 1952’s Moulin Rouge, which was nominated for seven Academy Awards.
Over the final years of her life, the aforementioned health problems prompted Gabor to retreat from the spotlight; whether it was a severe car accident in 2002, a stroke in 2005 or a broken hip in 2010.
But she remained well known up until her final breath.
We send our condolences to the friends, family members and loved ones of Zsa Zsa Gabor.