CLOSE Debbie Reynolds, the Academy Award nominated actress known for her role in the musical 'Singin' in the Rain,' passed away just one day after her daughter Carrie Fisher's death. 
 
 Carrie Fisher gives a kiss to her mother, Debbie Reynolds, in the photo room of the 20th Screen Actors Guild Awards in January 2015. (Photo: Dan MacMedan, USA TODAY) 
 
 Can you really die of a broken heart? 
 
 Late Wednesday, the stunning word came that vivacious entertainer Debbie Reynolds had passed away at 84 — one day after her daughter Carrie Fisher, 60, another cherished actress and author, died. 
 
 Reynolds' son, Todd Fisher, said the stress of his sister's death was insurmountable. It "was too much" for Reynolds, Fisher told the Associated Press. "She said, 'I want to be with Carrie.' And then she was gone," he said. 
 
 “She’s now with Carrie and we’re all heartbroken." 
 
 Reynolds was at Fisher's home in Beverly Hills planning the funeral for her daughter, who died Tuesday after a heart attack on a plane last week, when she may have suffered a stroke, according to TMZ. 
 
 Dying of a broken heart is "absolutely real," grief expert David Kessler tells USA TODAY. "I think it's extremely underdiagnosed. I think it's more common than we believe." 
 
 The scenario plays out most often among elderly couples who have shared a deep and enduring bond for decades, Kessler notes. One spouse passes away, and within days — and sometimes hours — the other spouse succumbs. 
 
 For parent and child, "it's less seen, but not surprising," Kessler says. 
 
 CLOSE Turns out, people really do suffer from broken hearts. Stress cardiomyopathy, also known as broken heart syndrome, is brought on by the response to a stressful event, such as the death of a loved one or divorce. VPC 
 
 The American Heart Association agrees, classifying broken heart syndrome as a medical condition also called stress-induced cardiomyopathy. Women are more likely than men to be stricken, the association says, and will experience sudden, severe chest pain, which is a reaction to a surge of stress hormones triggered by an emotionally painful event. The heart temporarily enlarges, but unlike a heart attack, there is no evidence of blocked heart arteries. 
 
 While the condition is usually treatable, it can lead to severe, short-term heart muscle failure. 
 
 Kessler has his own powerful insight into the agony of losing a child. His 21-year-old son died three months ago. "I now have a personal understanding on the deepest level" of trying to soothe an aching heart, he says. 
 
 The Los Angeles-based grief expert says he worked with Fisher a number of times. Fisher and Reynolds "were so close. I would not be surprised if part of this was broken heart syndrome." 
 
 He recalled Fisher bringing a friend into her home to live out her final days. Fisher "was someone who was very comfortable with death. She took life and death personally," he says. 
 
 For everyday people struggling to process the parade of high-profile deaths in 2016, they should not feel unnerved that they are distressed by the loss of someone they never knew such as a celebrity, Kessler says. "Your grief is a reflection of a connection that has been lost .... not necessarily someone you met. If your heart feels connected, it will grieve." 
 
 CLOSE Fans gathered around Debbie Reynolds star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Wednesday night, to remember the acting and dancing legend. Reynolds died on Wednesday at the age of 84, one day after the death of her daughter, actress Carrie Fisher. (Dec. 29) AP 
 
 As for rumblings about celebrity deaths "coming in threes," that isn't statistically accurate, Kessler says. "But our minds like to see patterns and organize it that way." 
 
 Kessler offers these words of advice for those particularly shaken by the double hit of Fisher and Reynolds: Do something to help yourself feel more comfortable. "Even though we may not know them, do not take this life for granted. Let me call my mother and tell her how much I love her." 
 
 Follow Miller on Twitter @susmiller. 
 
 Read or Share this story: http://usat.ly/2iHdoqp ||||| There’s been an outpouring of grief on the web as celebrities pay tribute to Debbie Reynolds, Hollywood icon and mother of Carrie Fisher. Reynolds died Wednesday afternoon, one day after her daughter passed away at the age of 60. She was 84. 
 
 A talented singer and actress, Reynolds appeared in many movies and stage productions spanning decades. She is survived by a son Todd and her granddaughter Billie. 
 
 Younger audiences will remember Reynolds as Grace Adler’s showbiz mom from “Will & Grace.” 
 
 Close friend Carol Channing wrote: “She was beautiful and generous. It seems like only yesterday she was having lunch here at the house and we were discussing 
 
 the possibility of working together in a new show. I have such fond memories of appearing with her here at the McCallum Theater in Palm Springs. So many laughs. My prayers go out to the family. She will be missed.” 
 
 Added Reynolds’ costar Rip Taylor: “I was blessed to work with this remarkable woman for 45 almost 50 years. That makes for a very rare bond and unique relationship. She was generous to a fault, never caring who got the laugh from the audience. I Will always love her. I am absolutely devastated tonight!” 
 
 Related Harrison Ford Remembers Carrie Fisher During Mark Hamill's Walk of Fame Star Ceremony Carrie Fisher Wins 2018 Grammy for Best Spoken Word 
 
 Read some of the online tributes below: 
 
 This is a beautiful love story to witness in my 58 years. I miss them both so much. Love is everlasting pic.twitter.com/AeIVGaGl9k — Todd Fisher (@tafish) December 29, 2016 
 
 Todd Fisher, Carrie’s brother and Reynolds’ son, wrote: “This is a beautiful love story to witness in my 58 years. I miss them both so much. Love is everlasting.” 
 
 Debbie Reynolds, a legend and my movie mom. I can't believe this happened one day after Carrie. My heart goes out to Billie. — Albert Brooks (@AlbertBrooks) December 29, 2016 
 
 Albert Brooks wrote: “Debbie Reynolds, a legend and my movie mom. I can’t believe this happened one day after Carrie. My heart goes out to Billie.” 
 
 Debbie Reynolds was pure class. She was loving, talented, beautiful, unsinkable. I feel sorry for anyone who never got a chance to meet her. pic.twitter.com/XrIDFuLfYU — Larry King (@kingsthings) December 29, 2016 
 
 Larry King wrote: “Debbie Reynolds was pure class. She was loving, talented, beautiful, unsinkable. I feel sorry for anyone who never got a chance to meet her.” 
 
 So heartsick. Debbie went to be with Carrie. It's such a devastating 1,2 punch. She was my "mom" for years & I loved her dearly.A legend. — Debra Messing (@DebraMessing) December 29, 2016 
 
 Debra Messing wrote: “So heartsick. Debbie went to be with Carrie. It’s such a devastating 1,2 punch. She was my “mom” for years & I loved her dearly. A legend.” 
 
 It is beyond astonishing that both @carrieffisher & @DebbieReynolds1 have left this earth. I overwhelmingly adored & admired them both. 😢🌹🌹 pic.twitter.com/emLn1ZvwUd — Sean Hayes (@SeanHayes) December 29, 2016 
 
 Sean Hayes wrote: “It is beyond astonishing that both @ carrieffisher & @ DebbieReynolds1 have left this earth. I overwhelmingly adored & admired them both.” 
 
 The combination of the loss of @carrieffisher & then her mom @DebbieReynolds1 is too much. I'm really at a loss here… #toomuch16 — Eric McCormack (@EricMcCormack) December 29, 2016 
 
 Eric McCormack wrote: “The combination of the loss of @ carrieffisher & then her mom @ DebbieReynolds1 is too much. I’m really at a loss here… # toomuch16“ 
 
 #DebbieReynolds has just died. This is too hard to comprehend. Beautiful, talented, devoted to her craft, she follows Carrie, dead days ago. — Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) December 29, 2016 
 
 Bette Midler wrote: “ # DebbieReynolds has just died. This is too hard to comprehend. Beautiful, talented, devoted to her craft, she follows Carrie, dead days ago.” 
 
 Mark Hamill wrote: #CruelCruelYear 
 
 Debbie Reynolds was one of the last of Hollywood Royalty. It breaks my heart that she is gone. I'd hoped that my grieving was done for 2016. — William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) December 29, 2016 
 
 William Shatner wrote: “Debbie Reynolds was one of the last of Hollywood Royalty. It breaks my heart that she is gone. I’d hoped that my grieving was done for 2016.” 
 
 I can't imagine what Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds' family are going through this week. I send all of my love. — Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) December 29, 2016 
 
 Ellen wrote: “I can’t imagine what Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds’ family are going through this week. I send all of my love.” 
 
 Anna Kendrick wrote: “American treasure.” 
 
 Carrie, watching her mother from the wings. pic.twitter.com/QWE2YnQLJD — Martha Plimpton (@MarthaPlimpton) December 29, 2016 
 
 Martha Plimpton wrote: “Carrie, watching her mother from the wings.” 
 
 The most incredible love is when one can't live without the other…#RIP #DebbieReynolds — Constance Zimmer (@ConstanceZimmer) December 29, 2016 
 
 Constance Zimmer wrote: “The most incredible love is when one can’t live without the other… # RIP # DebbieReynolds“ 
 
 Debbie Reynolds, God is holding you and Carrie in his hands. 
 
 We will always speak your name🌈 
 
 Love you, Debbie Allen — Debbie Allen (@msdebbieallen) December 29, 2016 
 
 Debbie Allen wrote, “Debbie Reynolds, God is holding you and Carrie in his hands. We will always speak your name.” 
 
 Damn. RIP Debbie Reynolds. Legendary entertainer. I'm sure broken hearted by the loss of her daughter. — Dane Cook (@DaneCook) December 29, 2016 
 
 Dane Cook wrote: “Damn. RIP Debbie Reynolds. Legendary entertainer. I’m sure broken hearted by the loss of her daughter.” 
 
 That is the saddest thing. So sorry for the whole family. Rip #CarrieFisher and #DebbieReynolds. 💔 — Ricki Lake (@RickiLake) December 29, 2016 
 
 Ricki Lake wrote, “That is the saddest thing. So sorry for the whole family. Rip #CarrieFisher and #DebbieReynolds.” 
 
 Painfully sad – there are no words 4 loss of Debbie Reynolds & Carrie Fisher. 2 vibrant, talented – moving spirits. #RIPC #RIPD #sagaftra — Gabrielle Carteris (@TheGabrielle_C) December 29, 2016 
 
 Gabrielle Carteris wrote: “Painfully sad – there are no words 4 loss of Debbie Reynolds & Carrie Fisher. 2 vibrant, talented – moving spirits.” 
 
 Debbie Reynolds helped light my passion for performing with Singin' in The Rain. She will always be an icon. Rest with Carrie, Debbie. — Grant Gustin (@grantgust) December 29, 2016 
 
 Grant Gustin wrote: “Debbie Reynolds helped light my passion for performing with Singin’ in The Rain. She will always be an icon. Rest with Carrie, Debbie.” 
 
 i love you billie. so so much. rest in peace, debbie reynolds. — Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) December 29, 2016 
 
 Ariana Grande wrote: “i love you billie. so so much. rest in peace, debbie reynolds.” 
 
 There are no words. Just that we all want 2 surround Billie with loving strength & support. Please give her space media. Please. Please. — Jamie Lee Curtis (@jamieleecurtis) December 29, 2016 
 
 Jamie Lee Curtis wrote: “There are no words. Just that we all want 2 surround Billie with loving strength & support. Please give her space media. Please. Please.” 
 
 FEW B4 HER, OR THE FEW WE SHALL EVER C AGAIN! NOW HER & HER DAUGHTER CAN SOAR 2GETHER IN GODS GR8 VAST KINGDOM! R.I.P. DEBBIE REYNOLDS — Corey Feldman (@Corey_Feldman) December 29, 2016 
 
 Corey Feldman wrote: “FEW B4 HER, OR THE FEW WE SHALL EVER C AGAIN! NOW HER & HER DAUGHTER CAN SOAR 2GETHER IN GODS GR8 VAST KINGDOM! R.I.P. DEBBIE REYNOLDS” 
 
 So sad to learn of @DebbieReynolds1 passing …an American icon and Hollywood legend. pic.twitter.com/OHh7VtsAAW — Gloria Gaynor (@gloriagaynor) December 29, 2016 
 
 Gloria Gaynor wrote: “So sad to learn of @DebbieReynolds1 passing …an American icon and Hollywood legend.” 
 
 What a tragedy! First Carrie, now her legendary mother Debbie Reynolds- my deepest and condolences to their family!! https://t.co/swJhKQg368 — Mira Sorvino (@MiraSorvino) December 29, 2016 
 
 Mira Sorvino wrote: “What a tragedy! First Carrie, now her legendary mother Debbie Reynolds- my deepest and condolences to their family!!” 
 
 So blown away and saddened by this Debbie Reynolds news a day after her daughter, Carrie passes away. So much luv & strength to their family — Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) December 29, 2016 
 
 Dwayne Johnson wrote: “So blown away and saddened by this Debbie Reynolds news a day after her daughter, Carrie passes away. So much luv & strength to their family.” 
 
 THIS IS TRAGIC 😩 I 💖‘d DEBBIE,SHE WAS TUFF FUNNY,TOLD“BEST”OLD 40′s-50′s SHOW BIZ STORIES& LIVED THROUGH HOLLYWOOD 🐂💩…A HUGE TESTAMENT 2HER — Cher (@cher) December 29, 2016 
 
 This is beyond heartbreaking. 
 
 Debbie was an Idol …I Have Seen 
 
 Singing in The Rain a million times. 
 
 Loved all her films…WORDS 
 
 ARE INADEQUATE — Cher (@cher) December 29, 2016 
 
 Beautiful , sweet, Debbie Reynolds. Could the bond between mother and daughter have been s… https://t.co/KyUQ3ZbnVP pic.twitter.com/ZqktGezKid — Rita Wilson (@RitaWilson) December 29, 2016 
 
 Debbie Reynolds cd sing, dance & gave dazzling performances. RIP doesn't sound right for her or Carrie-I hope they're somewhere having fun — Mia Farrow (@MiaFarrow) December 29, 2016 
 
 Gary Marsh, the president and CCO of Disney Channel wrote: “Through her role as the magical Grandmother Agatha Cromwell in four ‘Halloweentown’ movies, Debbie Reynolds became as beloved by Disney Channel viewers as she was by their parents and grandparents. We join the film, theatre, recording and TV community in extending our condolences to her family.” ||||| # DebbieReynolds has just died. This is too hard to comprehend. Beautiful, talented, devoted to her craft, she follows Carrie, dead days ago. ||||| Image copyright AP Image caption Debbie Reynolds (left) with her daughter and fellow actress Carrie Fisher 
 
 Debbie Reynolds, who starred opposite Gene Kelly in the 1952 musical Singin' in the Rain, has died a day after the death of her daughter, Carrie Fisher. 
 
 The US actress, 84, had been rushed to hospital with a suspected stroke. 
 
 Her son, Todd Fisher, said the stress of his sister's death had been too much for her and in her last words, she had said she wanted to be with Carrie. 
 
 US actress Bette Midler said Reynolds was "devoted to her craft" and that her death was "too hard to comprehend". 
 
 Actress Debra Messing said Reynolds, her on-screen mother in sitcom Will and Grace, had been an "inspiration". 
 
 "A legend of course," she wrote in a statement. "The epitome of clean-cut American optimism, dancing with Gene Kelly as an equal, a warrior woman who never stopped working.'' 
 
 Actor Rip Torn, who worked with Reynolds in her Las Vegas stage show, said: "I was blessed to work with this remarkable woman for 45 almost 50 years. That makes for a very rare bond and unique relationship. 
 
 "She was generous to a fault, never caring who got the laugh from the audience. I will always love her." 
 
 Veteran comic actress Carol Channing agreed: "She was beautiful and generous. It seems like only yesterday she was having lunch here at the house and we were discussing the possibility of working together in a new show." 
 
 Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Carrie Fisher tells Debbie Reynolds, "I love you momma" 
 
 For Star Trek actor William Shatner, Reynolds was one of the last of the Hollywood royalty. 
 
 "It breaks my heart that she is gone," he wrote. "I'd hoped that my grieving was done for 2016. 
 
 Reynolds had been at her son's house in Beverly Hills - apparently discussing the arrangements for Carrie Fisher's funeral - when she was taken ill. 
 
 She was admitted to Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre suffering from breathing difficulties and her death was confirmed a few hours later. It is thought she suffered a stroke. 
 
 Carrie Fisher, renowned for her role as Princess Leia in the Star Wars series, had died aged 60 the day before, after spending three days in a Los Angeles hospital. 
 
 She never regained consciousness after suffering a massive heart attack on board a flight from London to Los Angeles on Friday. 
 
 Speaking to the Associated Press news agency about his mother, Todd said: "She's now with Carrie and we're all heartbroken.'' 
 
 Celebrity news site TMZ reported that Reynolds cracked while discussing plans for Carrie's funeral with her son, telling him: "I miss her so much; I want to be with Carrie." 
 
 Can you die from a broken heart? By Stephen Evans, BBC News 
 
 Image copyright PA 
 
 Some people talk about "broken heart syndrome", known more formally as stress cardiomyopathy or takotsubo cardiomyopathy. According to the British Heart Foundation, it is a "temporary condition where your heart muscle becomes suddenly weakened or stunned. The left ventricle, one of the heart's chambers, changes shape." 
 
 It can be brought on by a shock. "About three quarters of people diagnosed with takotsubo cardiomyopathy have experienced significant emotional or physical stress prior to becoming unwell," the charity says. 
 
 This stress might be bereavement but it could be a shock of another kind. There are documented cases of people suffering the condition after being frightened by colleagues pulling a prank, or suffering the stress of speaking to a large group of people. It's speculated that the sudden release of hormones - in particular, adrenaline - causes the stunning of the heart muscle. 
 
 This is different from a heart attack, which is a stopping of the heart because the blood supply is constricted, perhaps by clogged arteries. 
 
 Read more here 
 
 How does grief cause physical pain? 
 
 Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption "Funny and vital": Fans in Hollywood mourn Debbie Reynolds 
 
 Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Singin' in the Rain guaranteed Reynolds Hollywood legend status 
 
 Reynolds was leading lady in a succession of major Hollywood musicals and comedies in the 1950s and 60s. 
 
 She rose to stardom with Singin' in the Rain, at the age of only 19. 
 
 She received a best actress Academy Award nomination for the 1964 musical The Unsinkable Molly Brown. 
 
 Her other films included 1973 animated film Charlotte's Web, in which she provided the voice for the eponymous spider. 
 
 In 2015 she was given a lifetime achievement award by the Screen Actors Guild. The award was presented to her by her daughter. 
 
 Reynolds married singer Eddie Fisher in 1955 and had two children, Carrie and Todd. The couple divorced in 1959 after news emerged of his affair with movie star Elizabeth Taylor. 
 
 Reynolds married twice more. 
 
 Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Reynolds (left) had a complex relationship with her daughter Carrie Fisher [pictured in 1972] 
 
 The actress has a sometimes strained relationship with her actress daughter, who wrote about it in her semi-autobiographical novel Postcards from the Edge. 
 
 The pair stopped speaking to each other for many years but became closer later in life. 
 
 In an interview last month with US radio network NPR, Fisher said her mother was "an immensely powerful woman" whom she admired "very much". 
 
 As people gathered to pay their respects to the actress at Hollywood's Walk of Fame, one couple, Jose and Daniela Barrera, appeared to speak for many after a year marked by celebrity deaths. 
 
 "It's just, you know, a sad time I guess," Jose told the Reuters news agency. "With the closing of the year and so many deaths in the year, it's just sad." 
 
 "It was so sad," added Daniela. "It was a shocker. I mean, what were the odds of this happening? It was incredible finding out, sad." ||||| This article is over 2 years old 
 
 Oscar-nominated star told her son ‘that she would like to be with Carrie again’, 15 minutes before she had a severe stroke 
 
 Hollywood legend Debbie Reynolds has died aged 84, just one day after the death of her daughter, famed actor and author Carrie Fisher. 
 
 
 
 Her death was confirmed by her son, Todd Fisher. 
 
 Debbie Reynolds: her life and career – in pictures Read more 
 
 “The last thing she said this morning was that she was very, very sad about losing Carrie and that she would like to be with her again,” Fisher said. “Fifteen minutes later she suffered a severe stroke.” 
 
 Reynolds died just hours after she was taken to Cedars Sinai medical center from her son’s house in Beverly Hills on Wednesday afternoon. 
 
 “The only thing we’re taking solace in is that what she wanted to do was take care of her daughter, which is what she did best,” he added. 
 
 On Friday, Carrie Fisher reportedly suffered a heart attack on a flight from London to Los Angeles. Reynolds posted on her Facebook page on Christmas Day that Fisher was in a stable condition. 
 
 Carrie Fisher died two days later. 
 
 On Tuesday, Reynolds addressed Fisher’s death on Facebook, writing: “Thank you to everyone who has embraced the gifts and talents of my beloved and amazing daughter. I am grateful for your thoughts and prayers that are now guiding her to her next stop. Love Carries Mother.” 
 
 Facebook Twitter Pinterest Billie Lourd, Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds at the Screen Actors Guild awards in Los Angeles last year. Photograph: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images 
 
 Further tributes came from Joely Fisher, a daughter of Reynolds’ ex-husband Eddie Fisher, and Carrie Fisher’s half-sister, who tweeted a picture of herself and Reynolds with the words “God speed mama”. 
 
 Joely Fisher (@MsJoelyFisher) God speed mama pic.twitter.com/XsO5zqN8w6 
 
 “So heartsick. Debbie went to be with Carrie. It’s such a devastating 1, 2 punch,” tweeted Debra Messing. Reynolds played Messing’s mother on the sitcom Will & Grace. “She was my ‘mom’ for years & I loved her dearly. A legend.” 
 
 Messing’s co-star Eric McCormack, who played Will, tweeted a short time later: “The combination of the loss of Carrie Fisher & then her mom Debbie Reynolds is too much. I’m really at a loss here.” 
 
 Albert Brooks, who directed and co-starred with Reynolds in 1996’s Mother, was another of the star’s “children” who paid tribute on Wednesday. 
 
 Albert Brooks (@AlbertBrooks) Debbie Reynolds, a legend and my movie mom. I can't believe this happened one day after Carrie. My heart goes out to Billie. 
 
 Hollywood veteran Carl Reiner, who acted alongside Reynolds in the 1959 comedy The Gazebo, and later directed Carrie Fisher in the 1990 comedy Sibling Rivalry, tweeted: “How shocked we were to learn that Debbie Reynolds passed away just a day after her daughter Carrie. I loved & worked [with] both of these icons.” 
 
 Carol Channing, who performed with Reynolds on stage, told the Press Association: “She was beautiful and generous. It seems like only yesterday she was having lunch here at the house and we were discussing the possibility of working together in a new show.” 
 
 Actor Rip Taylor, who had also performed with Reynolds in Las Vegas, said: “I was blessed to work with this remarkable woman for 45, almost 50 years. That makes for a very rare bond and unique relationship. She was generous to a fault, never caring who got the laugh from the audience. I will always love her.” 
 
 In 2011, Reynolds and Fisher appeared together for an extensive interview on the Oprah Winfrey show. During the interview, mother and daughter spoke about their admiration for each other. 
 
 Fisher said: “I believe my mother knows now but if she doesn’t, it would be good if she did: that I take her advice, that I follow her example, that I respect who she is … and if I’m like her in any way then I’m happy that I am.” 
 
 Earlier on Wednesday, Winfrey tweeted a photo from the interview, saying: “Remembering the good times with Carrie and her mother.” 
 
 Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) Remembering the good times with Carrie and her mother. #RIPCarrie pic.twitter.com/aplDPUrfhm 
 
 Fellow chatshow host Ellen DeGeneres added her tribute, expressing concern for the relatives of both women. 
 
 Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) I can't imagine what Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds' family are going through this week. I send all of my love. 
 
 The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was among the organisations paying tribute on social media, tweeting: “An actress, a trailblazer and hero, rest in peace Debbie Reynolds.” 
 
 
 
 Actor and singer Bette Midler also hailed Reynolds on Twitter, saying she was “beautiful, talented, devoted to her craft”. 
 
 Reynolds began her rise to stardom at 16, when she caught the eye of Warner Bros during a beauty pageant, but her first breakout role was co-starring with Gene Kelly in Singin’ in the Rain. She was nominated for an Academy Award for her work in 1964’s The Unsinkable Molly Brown. 
 
 Debbie Reynolds, the Hollywood aristocrat who was a vitamin boost for the heart | Peter Bradshaw Read more 
 
 Reynolds had her two children, Carrie and Todd, with her first husband, singer Eddie Fisher. The couple divorced after Fisher had an affair with Elizabeth Taylor. She married and divorced twice more. 
 
 Carrie Fisher memorialized her tumultuous relationship with Reynolds in her semi-autobiographical novel, Postcards From the Edge. Reynolds wanted to play the role of the mother in the film adaptation of the book, but director Mike Nichols cast Shirley MacLaine instead. 
 
 mia farrow (@MiaFarrow) Debbie Reynolds cd sing, dance & gave dazzling performances. RIP doesn't sound right for her or Carrie-I hope they're somewhere having fun 
 
 Fisher spoke about her mother’s declining health in May, telling People magazine that the star had been “a little more frail” during the filming of their documentary Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds. 
 
 Todd Fisher told ABC News in June that Reynolds had suffered a “small stroke” while in the hospital recovering from an operation.
– Hollywood is a sadder place with the loss of beloved star Debbie Reynolds, who died Wednesday, just a day after the death of daughter Carrie Fisher. The 84-year-old Reynolds is believed to have suffered a stroke at son Todd Fisher's home while planning her daughter's funeral, the BBC reports. Todd Fisher said the grief and stress of Carrie's death had been too much for his mother and the last thing she said was that "she was very, very sad about losing Carrie and that she would like to be with her again," per the Guardian. Experts say that in extremely stressful events like the death of a spouse or a child, it really is possible to die from a broken heart, with a surge of hormones creating a condition the American Heart Association calls stress-induced cardiomyopathy. Grief expert David Kessler tells USA Today that dying of a broken heart is not only "absolutely real," he believes it is "extremely underdiagnosed." Kessler, who worked with Fisher several times, says the condition is more often seen among couples who were married for many decades, but Reynolds and her daughter were so close that he "would not be surprised if part of this was broken heart syndrome." Some reactions to Reynolds' death: Bette Midler: "This is too hard to comprehend. Beautiful, talented, devoted to her craft, she follows Carrie, dead days ago." Debra Messing, Reynolds' "daughter" on Will & Grace: "So heartsick. Debbie went to be with Carrie. It's such a devastating 1,2 punch. She was my "mom" for years & I loved her dearly. A legend." Albert Brooks, who played her son in Mother: "Debbie Reynolds, a legend and my movie mom. I can't believe this happened one day after Carrie. My heart goes out to Billie." SAG-AFTRA president Gabrielle Carteris: "We have lost a unique talent and a national treasure. Coming so close to the death of her daughter, Carrie Fisher, this is truly a double tragedy. Their imprint on our culture is profound and they both will live on." Co-star Rip Taylor: "I was blessed to work with this remarkable woman for 45, almost 50 years. That makes for a very rare bond and unique relationship. She was generous to a fault, never caring who got the laugh from the audience. I will always love her," he said, per Variety.