In a heartfelt tribute, Lourd reflects on grief, addiction, and the enduring love for her mother, the iconic Star Wars star.
Billie Lourd marked what would have been her mother Carrie Fisher’s 68th birthday with an emotional tribute, sharing her complex feelings of grief and love. Nearly eight years after Fisher’s untimely passing at the age of 60, Lourd took to social media on October 21 to honor the legacy of the beloved actress, known for her iconic role as Princess Leia in the Star Wars franchise.
In her tribute, Lourd posted a touching photo of herself and her mother celebrating at a restaurant, where Fisher was seen blowing out candles on a birthday cake. “On my mom’s birthday every year, I try to celebrate her as much as possible, but today I really wanted to celebrate her with her,” Lourd wrote. She candidly expressed the varied emotions she experiences on these milestones, saying, “Some years my grief makes me feel the warmth of her love, some years it makes me angry, some years I feel numb, but today when I woke up, I just felt sad. I didn’t want to celebrate; I just wanted my mom.”
Reflecting on the loss, Lourd noted that she had researched the average lifespan of a woman and was struck by the reality that her mother had passed away at 60. “Sixty is too damn young to die,” she asserted, lamenting the impact of addiction and the struggle her mother faced. “I did everything in my power to help my mom get sober, but sadly, my mom couldn’t ever escape her addiction.”
Carrie Fisher’s death in December 2016 was attributed to a heart attack during a flight, compounded by sleep apnea and other undetermined factors, as reported by the Los Angeles County Coroner. The toxicology report revealed the presence of multiple substances, including cocaine and opiates, highlighting Fisher’s long-standing battle with addiction, which she had openly discussed throughout her career.
In her birthday message, Lourd emphasized her mother’s legacy of compassion and hope, noting Fisher’s efforts to share her struggles in the hopes of helping others. “But while she was alive, she always shared the ups and downs of that struggle with others in hopes it would help them escape their own addiction,” Lourd wrote. “As an addict, being open about the struggle is the only way through. And same goes for those of us affected by that struggle. Sending my love to anyone out there who has lost someone to drug addiction. You are not alone.”
Lourd, who often honors her mother’s memory on her birthday, previously sang a cover of Fisher’s favorite song, “American Girl” by Tom Petty, in 2019. “Not that I’m some kind of grief expert by any means, but on milestones (or whatever you want to call them) like this, I like to celebrate her by doing things that she loved to do,” she remarked at the time, adding that she would indulge in some of Fisher’s favorite treats for dinner.
As she continues to navigate her grief, Lourd’s heartfelt tribute serves as a reminder of the profound impact of loss and the enduring love that transcends it.
