Welsh soap icon dead after battle with 'rare brain disease'
29.03.2024 - 09:03
/ ok.co.uk
Jennifer Leak - best known for appearing in the 1968 movie Yours, Mine And Ours - sadly passed away at 76 years old at her home in Jupiter, Florida.
The Cardiff-born star was battling a neurological disease and died on March 18. Jennifer also appeared in soaps such as Another World, Guiding Light, One Life to Live and The Young and the Restless.
Jennifer's ex-husband and co-star on Yours, Mine and Ours, actor Tim Matheson, announced the heartbreaking news on social media on Wednesday (March 27). He wrote: 'It is with a heavy heart that I share the news of Jennifer Leak's passing.
Tim, who was married to Jennifer from 1968 to 1971, continued: "She wasn't just my screen sister in Yours, Mine and Ours, but also my beloved first wife. Jennifer was a remarkable woman, strong, lovely, and incredibly talented.
My deepest condolences go out to her husband of 47 years, James D'Auria and their multitude of friends." Sadly, Jennifer had been battling a rare neurological disease called progressive supranuclear palsy, according to an obit posted in The East Hampton Star that confirmed the date of her death. According to the Mayo Clinic, progressive supranuclear palsy is a, "rare brain disease that affects walking, balance, eye movements and swallowing".
It "results from the damage of cells in areas of the brain that control body movement, coordination, thinking and other important functions" according to the clinic, and can "worsen over time and can lead to dangerous complications, such as pneumonia and trouble swallowing." James, Jennifer's husband of 47 years, wrote said that the star was involved with research programs for the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota to combat progressive supranuclear palsy. "Her courage and bravery tried in vain
.