Who was Raquel Welch and what was her cause of death?

LATE actress Raquel Welch is remembered for her many movie roles.

Her filmography includes Fantastic Voyage, One Million Years BC, and Bedazzled.

Who was Raquel Welch?

Born on September 5, 1940, Raquel Welch née Tejada was an American actress from Chicago.

During the 1960s, Raquel rose to prominence for her appearances in Bandolero!, The Three Musketeers, and One Million Years BC.

As her popularity continued into the next decade, she was widely regarded as an international sex symbol.

While reflecting on her breakout success, Raquel told : "Overnight, I found myself in demand. I had been low profile before then.

"I had made another movie which was a big step up for me from very small parts.

"It was Fantastic Voyage and should have been released before One Million Years BC but the special effects delayed it, so I was the dinosaur lady first and the science lady second.

"I’m often asked if I get sick of talking about that bikini but the truth is, I don’t.

"Both made a huge difference to my career. Before that, I was not much more than an extra."

Raquel further recalled: "I’ve made quite a few movies, TV shows, and theatre plays, and I think people realized that I was not just there to look good on a movie poster. I could really act too."

Although Raquel accumulated an extensive amount of on-screen credits, she admits that her fans always harken back to her star-making turn in One Million Years BC.

She revealed: "Of course, I have great memories and some souvenirs.

"I’m asked if I still have that bikini but there were about six of them and they’re probably in an archive somewhere.

"I’m not sure if I will ever wear it again but you never know – perhaps one day the script will drop through the door for Two Million Years BC!

"If it does, I hope it has more dialogue than the first one."

Her last movie role was alongside Salma Hayek and Kristen Bell in the 2017 comedy How to Be a Latin Lover.

Raquel married four times to high school sweetheart, James Welch, producer Patrick Curtis, French producer, André Weinfeld, and actor Richard "Richie" Palmer.

She had two children from her first marriage, Damon and Tahnee Welch.

What was Raquel's cause of death?

On February 15, 2023, Raquel died after a brief illness.

Her representative Steve Sauer said in a statement: “The legendary bombshell actress of film, television, and stage, passed away peacefully early this morning after a brief illness.

"Her career spanned over 50 years starring in over 30 films and 50 television series and appearances. 

"The Golden Globe winner, in more recent years, was involved in a very successful line of wigs.”

The Golden Globe winner is survived by her two children.