Kirstie Alley is Dead: Despite Fertility Issues One of ‘Best Things’ for Her Was Becoming a Grandma

Kirstie Alley passed away at 71 in December 2022. Despite not having biological children, she still built a family with her adopted children. After failing to conceive, she said, “This is one of the best things that’s ever happened in my life, to be a grandmother.”

Thespian Kirstie Alley would’ve turned 72 in January 2023. Sadly, the actress passed away in late 2022, with her children, Lillie and William True Parker, confirming the heartbreaking news via a statement on her social media accounts.

The Emmy Award-winning actress’s adopted children revealed the news on December 5, 2022. The Instagram update included a throwback picture of the star posing on a bicycle during happier times.

Nick Cannon and Kirstie Alley on a season seven “The Masked Singer” episode on January 27, 2022 | Source: Getty Images

Alley’s daughter and son included a lengthy message that revealed the actress had lost the battle with cancer after it was recently diagnosed. The star was surrounded by close family members when she died.

She lived a wholesome life and celebrated more than just a prolific acting career. Despite struggling to have her own children, she was a mother of two and, even better, a grandmother.

The “Cheers” actress lived a long, fulfilled life gracing big silver screens for decades since rising to fame in the early 1980s. She made her film debut in 1982 in “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan,” playing the Vulcan Starfleet officer Lieutenant Saavik.

After joining the industry as a comic queen and actress, she quickly gained traction. She attracted immense prominence after landing the role of the neurotic corporate executive Rebecca Howe on the long-running hit TV sitcom “Cheers,” a part that won her a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award.

Kirstie Alley promotional photo for the ABC tv movie ‘Sins of the Past’ in 1984 | Source: Getty Images

Alley appeared in numerous other roles, including playing Veronica “Ronnie” Chase. The character owned Veronica’s Closet, a lingerie and book company designed to keep the romance alive in the series “Veronica’s Closet.”

Her other acting merits included the 1989 series “Look Who’s Talking,” 1999’s “Drop Dead Gorgeous,” and 2016’s “Scream Queens,” among many others. Besides acting, Alley was also recognized for contesting on “Dancing With The Stars,” where she partnered with Maksim Chmerkovskiy. She’s also competed in the reality singing competition series “The Masked Singer.”

Kirstie Alley and Maksim Chmerkovskiy on season 15 of “Dancing with the Stars in November 2012. | Source: Getty Images

Despite her increasing fame over the years since debuting her Hollywood career, Alley always felt incomplete without a family. She married her second husband, Parker Stevenson, on December 22, 1983.

In 1990, after putting the idea of having a baby on and off for years, Alley and Stevenson decided they were ready for a baby. As if on cue, the star became pregnant soon after, but there was no happy ending like they’d hoped, as the pregnancy ended in a devastating miscarriage.

American actress Kirstie Alley with her husband, actor Parker Stevenson, circa 1990. | Source: Getty Images

Alley said the baby was not old enough to kick, so the loss was far more mental than physical. However, she had already conjured a mock life for her child, imagining who he’d take after, where he’d go to college, and the like. She told People at the time:

“That’s the loss we suffered. But there will be another try. There will be babies.”

Kirstie Alley with her children Lilie Parker and William Parker at a Showtime TCA Press Tour Party on January 12, 2005 | Source: Getty Images

Disappointed but determined, the actress announced that she and her husband would continue trying for babies but would also explore other avenues, especially adoption. In 1992 they adopted their first baby, William, a week after he was born on October 5, and then two years later, they adopted their daughter Lillie.

It was fulfilling for Alley, but unfortunately, she and Stevenson separated less than two years later. In 1997 the former couple filed for divorce separately, citing irreconcilable differences.

Actress Kirstie Alley (M) with children Lillie Price (L) and William True (R) attend “The Runaways” New York premiere at Landmark Sunshine Cinema on March 17, 2010 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

It appeared to the star that she could have one or the other, never both, but that did not dampen her mood. She was finally a mother and strived to be a good one. Years later, she became a grandmother for the first time.

Alley Was Thrilled to Welcome Her First Grandchild

The “Summer School” actress was thrilled when her son welcomed his own son, Waylon Tripp Parker, in June 2016. Alley loved being a mother, but becoming a grandmother was more than she had hoped for, and it excited her immensely.

She shared the first photo of her grandson hours after he was born and gushed about the arrival of the newest member of their family. The black and white photo showed William holding his new baby with a cute caption:

“When your son has a son…bliss…yes, this is my secret happy news as promised… Welcome, Waylon Tripp Parker.”

Unable to hold back her excitement, Alley posted another photo of the newborn smiling during a nap and noted how proud she was to become a grandmother. In 2017, she spoke to Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford on “Today” and confessed that her first grandchild’s birth had changed her life, gushing:

“This is one of the best things that’s ever happened in my life, to be a grandmother.”

Alley admitted to hearing other grandparents say the same thing and took it lightly. She likened it to people talking about their children until you have one of your own and you become worse than them, and that’s how the actress became! The actress told the co-hosts:

“(My son) gave me the most beautiful (gift). I am obsessed.”

The star praised her grandson, bragging that he was already funny, intuitive, and very present at only six months! According to Alley, Waylon could already perceive when someone said something funny and could laugh at jokes.

Actress Kirstie Alley on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” on December 10, 2013 | Source: Getty Images

However, things in her life weren’t always easy for the actress. For years she’s openly struggled with her self-image and how she looked, trying different methods to shed the pounds.

The Actress Has Dealt with Weight Loss Troubles for Years

Alley had achieved success in her career and parenting while living a fulfilled life. At 71, she had plenty to be thankful for, including a long and happy life; however, it was not without a few challenges.

Kirstie Alley arrives at the Premiere Of Quiver Distribution’s “The Fanatic” at the Egyptian Theatre on August 22, 2019 in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

Alley revealed that since hitting menopause, her weight had become quite the challenge. The star confessed that she got into the habit of emotional and binge eating, which often spiked her weight.

Unfortunately, in 2011, [Kirstie] Alley regained plenty of weight due to lifestyle changes.

Her first admission of her weight troubles became apparent when she appeared in the TV series “Fat Actress.” She admitted to struggling with figuring out appropriate diets without help from a nutritionist.

Kirstie Alley at Showtime presents “Fat Actress” NY Screening and After-Party on March 2, 2005, in New York City | Source: Getty Images

The actress also opened up on the Today show, saying she needed to be held accountable because she tended to go wild, especially with food. She said, as per the Express report:

“Food is one of the things where I can go sort of wild.”

Kirstie Alley is evicted and comes second during the Celebrity Big Brother final 2018 at Elstree Studios on September 10, 2018 in Borehamwood, England | Source: Getty Images

During a sit-down with Wendy Williams, Alley confessed that she had an unhealthy love for fattening foods, such as brownies, pies, and cheeseburgers, and loved to overindulge. Following the admission, her weight ballooned but seeing unappealing photos of herself in the press became her turning point.

She started working towards losing weight, and that same year, she worked with the nutrition company, Jenny Craig, to help her manage her weight. Soon after, she attained the right shape and weight, and in 2006 appeared on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and explained her journey.

Unfortunately, in 2011, Alley regained plenty of weight due to lifestyle changes. However, she has lost plenty of that weight in the past few years through various methods, such as calorie restriction. She also prioritizes exercises, including running, jogging, yoga and dancing.

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