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The widowhood effect: stars who died from a broken heart
We all know someone who faded following the death of their spouse
© Getty Images
Dying from a "broken heart" might sound like poetry or something out of a Hollywood love story. But this is a real phenomenon with a name: the "widowhood effect." It happens when a person dies shortly after the passing of his or her long-time spouse.
This sad phenomenon is also known as 'broken heart syndrome.' Both men and women have the same capacity for deep grief and are equally vulnerable to its devastating effects. This goes beyond marital relationships, as the loss of a parent or child can also trigger it.
Death is not picky about its settings or venues. For most people, mourning is a solo act behind closed doors. But celebrities are in the spotlight, and their private grief can become an unbearable public spectacle.
Take a moment to remember the stars who twinkled out soon after their hearts were broken.
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