Prolific horror writer Anne Rice has passed away following complications resulting from a stroke. She was 80 years old.
The author of almost 40 novels, Rice is among the most popular fantasy writers of all time, selling 135 million copies. Her work includes The Vampire Chronicles and Lives of the Mayfair Witches series of books. She wrote the screenplay for the 1994 film adaptation of her novel Interview with the Vampire, which starred Tom Cruise as the vampire Lestat and Brad Pitt as Louis de Pointe du Lac. A series adaptation of the book is currently in the works over at AMC, which also recently gave a series order for a Mayfair Witches adaptation.
“She left us almost nineteen years to the day my father, her husband Stan, died,” Rice’s son, Christopher Rice, shared in a statement on social media. “The immensity of our family’s grief cannot be overstated. As my mother, her support for me was unconditional—she taught me to embrace my dreams, reject conformity and challenge the dark voices of fear and self-doubt. As a writer, she taught me to defy genre boundaries and surrender to my obsessive passions.
“In her final hours, I sat beside her hospital bed in awe of her accomplishments and her courage, awash in memories of a life that took us from the fog laced hills of the San Francisco Bay Area to the magical streets of New Orleans to the twinkling vistas of Southern California. As she kissed Anne goodbye, her younger sister Karen said, ‘What a ride you took us on, kid.’ I think we can all agree. Let us take comfort in the shared hope that Anne is now experiencing firsthand the glorious answers to many great spiritual and cosmic questions, the quest for which defined her life and career.
“Throughout much of her final years, [her fans] contributions to this page brought her much joy, along with a profound sense of friendship and community. Anne will be interred in our family’s mausoleum at Metairie Cemetery in New Orleans in a private ceremony. Next year, a celebration of her life will take place in New Orleans. This event will be open to the public and will invite the participation of her friends, readers and fans who brought her such joy and inspiration throughout her life.”
Words: Samantha McLaren (@themeatispeople)
