ENTERTAINMENT
Afeni Shakur, Mother of Hip-Hop Legend Tupac Shakur, Dies at 69
Afeni Shakur Davis, the activist mother of slain rap legend Tupac Shakur who was the subject of his iconic “Dear Mama” song and controlled his estate, has died. She was 69 years old.
Marin County Sheriff’s deputies and firefighters responded to Shakur’s home in Sausalito, Calif., Monday night after she suffered a possible heart attack, the sheriff’s office said Tuesday morning.
She was taken to a local hospital and died just before 10:30 p.m.
“At this point there is nothing to indicate to us that there was any foul play, nothing suspicious about this other than this being sadly a natural event that has occurred,” Marin County Sheriff’s Lt. Doug Pittman said Tuesday.
He said Shakur was in the company of a friend when she began to feel sick.
“She was experiencing some type of physical discomfort,” Pittman said.
“Attempts were made to try to remedy those problems at home, but when they got more severe, it was at that time the family friend called 911 and asked for medical help.”
Paramedics arrived around 9:30 p.m. and immediately began to provide CPR, he said.
She was rushed to Marin General Hospital, where she was treated for about an hour before she died, Pittman said.
The investigation has been turned over to the coroner’s division, where officials will speak to family members about Shakur’s recent health history and research her medical records to determine whether an autopsy is needed, he said.
“This is a tragic loss to this community,” Pittman said.
Shakur, born Alice Faye Williams, changed her name when she moved to New York City and joined the Black Panther movement. She and other party members were arrested in 1969 and charged with conspiracy to bomb multiple busy city landmarks.
In May 1971, she was acquitted on all charges after she represented herself in court while heavily pregnant. She gave birth to Tupac just one month later.
She was the subject of his 1995 song “Dear Mama,” in which Tupac detailed his childhood struggles and respect for his mother’s battle back from addiction.
“There’s no way I can pay you back/But the plan is to show you that I understand/You are appreciated,” he rapped.
After her son’s 1996 shooting death, Shakur took over the late rapper’s estate, which reportedly earns about $900,000 each year.
Dina LaPolt, a California attorney who handled Tupac Shakur’s estate for nearly 10 years, fought back tears as she described Shakur, who inspired the lawyer to open up her own firm in 2001.
“She’s an advocate,” LaPolt told the Daily News. “She’s an activist. She taught me never to compromise your values – to always fight for what you believe in.”
LaPolt oversaw the legal work behind 11 posthumously released albums while she represented the estate between 2001 and 2010.
The lawyer developed a close professional relationship with Shakur, who LaPolt described as “one of the smartest people I’ve ever worked with.”
Shakur also influenced LaPolt’s personal life, she said.
“I met her when I was 91 days sober. Now I’m 18 years sober,” she said. “She was very, very instrumental in my life. I carry her with me to this day.”
Earlier this year, Shakur filed for divorce from her husband of 12 years, Gust Davis, and was in a legal battle over her son’s estate, TMZ reported.
Davis demanded half of the monthly $20,000 Shakur took home every month.
In 2014, Shakur co-produced “Holler If Ya Hear Me,” a Broadway jukebox musical featuring her son’s works.
A movie about Tupac’s life, “All Eyez on Me,” is set for release in November, with Danai Gurira cast as Shakur. Shakur served as an executive producer for the film.
Hollywood star Rutger Hauer has died aged 75.
The actor was best known for playing Roy Batty in the 1982 movie Blade Runner and also Sin City, Batman Begins and TV show True Blood.
His agent Steve Kenis confirmed Hauer died on Friday following a short illness. His funeral was held on Wednesday.
Tributes have begun pouring in for the star, with Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro tweeting to say: “RIP the great Rutger Hauer: an intense, deep, genuine and magnetic actor that brought truth, power and beauty to his films.”
KISS musician Gene Simmons wrote: “Sad to hear Rutger Hauer has passed away. He was always a gentleman, kind and compassionate. Sending our condolences and prayers to his family, friends and fans.”
Hauer was born in Breukelen in the Netherlands and did stints in both the merchant navy and army before he became an actor.
He got his big break in 1969, when he became the lead in TV series Floris.
Away from acting, Hauer launched The Rutger Hauer Starfish Foundation, which aimed to raise awareness of HIV and AIDS, especially within children and pregnant women.
Issuing a statement following his death, the foundation said: “The Rutger Hauer Starfish Association announces with infinite sadness that after a very short illness, on Friday, July 19, 2019, Rutger passed away peacefully at his Dutch home.
“He leaves his beloved wife Ineke, after they have been together for fifty years.
“We at Starfish will always cherish the many unforgettable memories we have of Rutger and his dedication to the Rutger Hauer Starfish Association.
“One of Rutger’s last wishes was that Starfish should continue its charity activity and its fight against the AIDS disease, and with Ineke’s precious help, involvement and direction we will follow Rutger’s wish and will do our best to carry on Rutger’s inestimable legacy.”
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