According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 1 in 3 seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. It is an extremely difficult disease that does not discriminate based on race, gender, occupation or even fame.

Below are some famous people who suffer/have suffered from Alzheimer’s disease and/or dementia.

Malcolm Young

The famed rhythm guitarist and co-founder of rock band AC/DC, Young was reported to have dementia in 2014. His family confirmed the diagnosis, and he currently resides in a live-in care facility where he has access to 24/7 care.

Charles Bronson

Bronson was a famous American action film hero, known for his roles in the movies Once Upon a Time in the West, The Magnificent Seven, The Dirty Dozen and The Great Escape. Bronson was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s during the last years of his life, but ultimately, it was a bout with pneumonia that led to his death.

Ronald Reagan

In 1994, six years after the end of his presidency, Ronald Reagan wrote a letter to the American public stating, “I have recently been told that I am one of the millions of Americans who will be afflicted with Alzheimer’s Disease.” Reagan went on to live until the age of 93, ten years with Alzheimer’s, and like Bronson, died of pneumonia.

Charlton Heston

Most known for his roles as Moses in The Ten Commandments, George Taylor in Planet of the Apes and Judah Ben-Hur in Orson Well’s Ben-Hur, this larger-than-life actor announced his diagnosis of Alzheimer’s in 2002. He died six years later in 2008.

Norman Rockwell

Rockwell was a famous American painter known for his illustrations on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post. Among the best-known of Rockwell’s works are the Willie Gillis series, Rosie the Riveter, The Problem We All Live With and Saying Grace. He died at age 84 with Alzheimer’s.

Sugar Ray Robinson

The legendary boxer held the world welterweight title from 1946 to 1951, and won the world middleweight title in the latter year. In the final years of his life he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and died at the young age of 67 in 1989.

E.B. White

The beloved children’s author of Charlotte’s Web and Stuart Little was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in the 1980s and died in 1985 at the age of 86. During his lifetime, White was awarded a Presidential Medal of Freedom and a National Medal for Literature.

Rosa Parks

This legendary icon is known for refusing to give up her seat on the bus during the years of segregation. From her simple, stark act arose the Civil Rights movement, and thus she is known as “the Mother of the Freedom Movement.” In her lifetime, Parks earned forty-three honorary doctorate degrees, The Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor. She died in 2005 at the age of 92 with Alzheimer’s disease.

Aaron Copland

Copland was a famous American composer in the 1970s, often referred to as the “Dean of American Music.” Copland composed, lectured, wrote, edited and conducted. Unfortunately, by the 1980s he was unable to compose due to Alzheimer’s complications, and he died in 1990 at the age of 90.

Rita Hayworth

Hayworth was an American actress and beauty who appeared appearing in over 60 movies over the course of 37 years. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s relatively early, which she revealed to the public. Her candidness about the disease helped increase public awareness and funding for Alzheimer’s research. She died at the age of 68 from Alzheimer’s complications.

Receiving Care for Alzheimer’s and/or Dementia

Abcor is proud to provide care to clients suffering from a variety of conditions, including Alzheimer’s and Dementia.  Hop on over to our memory care page to learn more about how Abcor can help.