Published Sep 10, 2020

‘Game of Thrones’ Stars Mourn Diana Rigg, Who Passed Away From Cancer: ‘She Spent Last Months Joyfully Reflecting on Her Extraordinary Life’

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A "GOT" Legend

Actress Diana Rigg passed away at the age of 82 after being diagnosed with cancer in March
Rigg portrayed Olenna Tyrell in Game of Thrones, and her co-stars honored her in touching tributes
Rigg’s daughter Rachael says her mother remained positive throughout her battle with cancer

Game of Thrones star Diana Rigg has passed away from cancer at the age of 82, and her cast mates are mourning her death and applauding her legacy as the renowned matriarch of House Tyrell.

Rigg’s daughter, Rachael Stirling, announced in a statement that her mother had passed away from an undisclosed cancer after being diagnosed in March. According to Stirling, Rigg didn’t let the diagnosis keep her from enjoying life.

"My Beloved Ma died peacefully in her sleep early this morning, at home, surrounded by family," Stirling says in a statement. "She died of cancer diagnosed in March, and spent her last months joyfully reflecting on her extraordinary life, full of love, laughter and a deep pride in her profession. I will miss her beyond words."

Rigg portrayed Olenna Tyrell in Game of Thrones, a strong and powerful woman in the show who always stood by her family. Upon news of her passing, her fellow co-stars including Kit Harrington, Peter Dinklage, and others shared moving tributes in her honor, praising her incredible talent.

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In addition to her role in Game of Thrones, Rigg is a Tony and Emmy award winner, and has made a name for herself through other iconic roles such as Emma Peel in The Avengers, Diana Smythe in Diana, and more.

The Importance of a Positive Mindset

Rigg clearly was able to keep a positive mindset despite a difficult diagnosis, but that’s understandably easier said than actually done. Studies have shown that patients who are able to stay positive while facing cancer typically do better in treatment, and even though Rigg succumbed to the disease, mindset can make a cancer journey a lot easier to cope with.

Dr. Zuri Murrell, a colorectal surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, lost his mother to cancer while he was in medical school, and even though she experienced difficult side-effects from chemotherapy, she always stayed positive and reassured him she’d be okay.

“When she first got diagnosed I was in high school, this is before she was cured and then it recurred when I was in college, she would get her chemo and she would lock herself in a room,” Dr. Murrell says. “I would go and check on her, and you know, I would be in tears. She was always like, ‘I’ll be all right, baby, I’ll be all right.'”

Dr. Zuri Murrell says while his mother was battling cancer, she always kept a positive attitude

Some doctors refer to a positive mindset as an “eye of the tiger” mentality, as focuses should not only focus on their emotional health, but also eating healthy, exercising regularly, and surrounding themselves by people who support them.

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