Mary Tyler Moore: Remembering The Beloved Star

UPDATE: Wednesday, January 25, 2017, 2:49 p.m.

Mary Tyler Moore has passed away at the age of 80, according to TMZ. It's a loss that feels deeply personal for fans who grew up watching her on-screen charm light up our living rooms.

“Today, the world lost a beloved icon, Mary Tyler Moore, who passed away at the age of 80 surrounded by friends and her loving husband of over 33 years, Dr. S. Robert Levine,” her longtime representative, Mara Buxbaum, shared with the news outlet.

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She added, “A groundbreaking actress, producer, and passionate advocate for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Mary will be remembered as a fearless visionary who turned the world on with her smile. Her legacy will live on in the hearts of those she inspired and touched.”

Mary had been on a respirator for more than a week leading up to her passing. As we bid farewell to this incredible woman, we remember her not just for her talent but for the kindness she brought to the world. May she rest in peace.

Our thoughts are with Mary Tyler Moore. Rest well, Mary.

TMZ reported earlier that the much-loved actress, who celebrated her 80th birthday on December 29, was in critical condition at a Connecticut hospital. It’s heartbreaking to hear that her condition was so serious that friends and family were already gathering to say their goodbyes.

Mary battled health challenges for years, but this time, her condition was particularly dire. In addition to living with diabetes since the age of 33, she also underwent brain surgery in 2011. Since 2013, Mary had largely stayed out of the spotlight, focusing on her health and maintaining close relationships with friends and family through phone calls.

A Life of Inspiration

Friends Reflect on Mary's Strength

Back in 2014, her former costar, Betty White, opened up about Mary’s health struggles to Closer Weekly. "Her eyesight is what the big problem is right now,” Betty revealed. But even in the face of adversity, Mary remained resilient. “Mary is not a woe-is-me woman,” her longtime friend Valerie Harper told Closer. “She has her bad days emotionally, but she just tries to find enjoyment in each and every day.”

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Mary’s legacy extends far beyond her acting career. She was a trailblazer, paving the way for women in television and beyond. Her advocacy work for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation further cemented her as a compassionate and generous soul.

Mary and Dick Van Dyke in 2003.

Remembering a Legendary Partnership

Dick Van Dyke, who played her husband on The Dick Van Dyke Show, spoke fondly of their enduring friendship. “I don’t see her often, but I talk to her a bunch. She hasn’t been too well. She’s really having a battle with it, I’m sorry to say,” he admitted.

In a previous interview, Dick shared how much he cherished their partnership during the show’s run. “It was just serendipity,” Dick reminisced to Closer. “We got to where we could read each other’s minds. It was like doing improv.”

Carl Reiner, the creator of The Dick Van Dyke Show, echoed this sentiment. “Never in the history of the series did anybody doubt they were a perfectly matched couple,” Carl told Closer. “Years later, we found out they both really cared for each other, and if they weren’t married to other people, they would’ve been a couple.”

Click through the gallery below to see Mary Tyler Moore’s transformation through the years!