How did Gene Wilder die? Battle with Alzheimer's, legacy, and more explored

It has been approximately eight years since Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory star Gene Wilder died. The actor passed away due to complications related to Alzheimer's on August 29, 2016, at the age of 83, after battling the disease for three years. He breathed his last in his home in Stamford, Connecticut.

Wilder's Alzheimer's diagnosis was only revealed to the public by his family after his death. Gene Wilder's nephew Jordan Walker-Pearlman mentioned that concealing the diagnosis was Wilder's personal decision as he did not want young fans of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory to be disheartened. As per NPR, his nephew said:

"It is with indescribable sadness and blues, but with spiritual gratitude for the life lived that I announce the passing of husband, parent, and universal artist Gene Wilder, at his home in Stamford, Connecticut. It is almost unbearable for us to contemplate our life without him. The cause was complications from Alzheimer’s Disease with which he co-existed for the last three years."

He continued:

"The choice to keep this private was his choice, in talking with us and making a decision as a family. We understand for all the emotional and physical challenges this situation presented we have been among the lucky ones—this illness-pirate, unlike in so many cases, never stole his ability to recognize those that were closest to him, nor took command of his central-gentle-life affirming core personality. It took enough, but not that."

The Netflix movie Remembering Gene Wilder sheds further light on his condition.

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Gene Wilder's fight with Alzheimer's was kept private

As mentioned previously, Gene Wilder's Alzheimer's diagnosis was not revealed to the public. It was only when he passed away in 2016, that his family decided to reveal that he died after a three-year-long battle with the disease.

Information concerning his diagnosis was kept under wraps as the actor could not "bear the idea of one less smile in the world." Jordan Walker-Pearlman's statement shed further light on Wilder's decision, as it read:

"The decision to wait until this time to disclose his condition wasn’t vanity. But more so that the countless young children that would smile or call out to him ‘there’s Willy Wonka,’ would not have to be then exposed to an adult referencing illness or trouble and causing delight to travel to worry, disappointment or confusion."

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Gene Wilder passed away while listening to Ella Fitzgerald's Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Wilder's nephew, revealed in his statement that the actor breathed his last surrounded by the people he loved.

He also mentioned that when Wilder passed away, Ella Fitzgerald's Somewhere Over the Rainbow played on the music speaker. He revealed that the speaker "was set to random" when the track by the artist's favorite star began playing. Jordan Walker-Pearlman also noted that the family has a picture of Fitzgerald and Wilder meeting at a London Bistro.

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Gene Wilder's legacy

Gene Wilder was one of the most prominent actors in the industry. He was a major hit among the audience, who enjoyed his portrayal of Willy Wonka in the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.

Apart from his iconic role, Wilder was also known for playing prominent characters in films such as The Producers (1967), Blazing Saddles (1974), and Young Frankenstein (1974). Wilder was nominated for several awards including Best Supporting Actor at the 1968 Academy Awards for his work in The Producers and Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy at the 1971 Golden Globe Awards for his role in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.

In 1962, Wilder won the award for Best Actor in a Nonfeatured Role for The Complaisant Lover at the Clarence Derwent Awards. He also emerged victorious at the 2003 Primetime Emmy Awards as he won in the Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series category for his role in Will & Grace.

Besides acting on screen, Wilder was also a prominent theatre artist, having featured in several plays. He was also a writer, comedian, and filmmaker. In 2005, he published his autobiographical book, Kiss Me Like a Stranger.

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The Netflix movie Remembering Gene Wilder sheds light on the actor's life.