Desiree Anzalone, great-granddaughter of Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball, and her heartbreaking story
Lucille Ball, the beloved comedic actress from the 1950s, is still cherished by many even after three decades since her passing. Her great-granddaughter, Desiree Anzalone, bore a striking resemblance to her but tragically passed away in 2020.
Lucille Ball became a top comedic actress in the 1950s with her iconic TV show, “I Love Lucy,” where she co-starred with her husband, Desi Arnaz. Before her TV fame, Lucille was a model and film actress, starring in over 70 movies by the end of her career.
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Lucille’s legacy lives on through her family. She was married twice and had two children with Desi Arnaz: Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr. Desi Jr.’s birth was highly publicized, and growing up as the son of two famous parents wasn’t easy. He faced pressures and temptations but eventually became a teen idol himself.
Desi Arnaz Jr. became a father at 15 but didn’t have a relationship with his daughter Julia until she was 20. They reunited through a paternity test, and Desi Jr. formed a close bond with Julia and her daughter, Desiree Anzalone.
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Desiree, named in honor of her great-grandmother Lucille (whose middle name was Desiree), was a talented photographer and writer. Sadly, she was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer at 25, underwent a double mastectomy, and briefly went into remission before the cancer returned and spread. Desiree passed away in 2020.
Julia Arnaz, Desiree’s mother, faced her own struggles during the COVID-19 pandemic, losing her mother to the virus while her daughter battled stage 4 breast cancer. Julia now works as an activist to help young women detect breast cancer early. She is advocating for expanded mammogram coverage in Connecticut, hoping younger women will begin screenings sooner to catch the disease early.
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Julia continues to raise awareness about young women and breast cancer, emphasizing the importance of self-advocacy and early detection.
Fans of Lucille Ball and her family continue to express their love and support. Julia’s advocacy efforts aim to honor her daughter’s memory by preventing other young women from facing the same fate.
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Do you have memories of watching Lucille Ball on TV? Share your thoughts and memories in the comments below.
