Debbie Reynolds’ Xmas Table Was Set for Family When Daughter’s Heart Stopped, Friend Said — They Died a Day Apart

Christmas was a cherished occasion in the household of Hollywood legend Debbie Reynolds. In a tale of love and heartbreak, she lovingly set her Christmas table in anticipation of a festive family reunion, but tragedy struck. Just one day apart, Reynolds and her beloved daughter, Carrie Fisher, were both taken from us, leaving behind an enduring legacy that transcends even the bonds of life and death.

Debbie Reynolds, the effervescent Hollywood legend, was known for many things—her dazzling performances in classics like "Singin' in the Rain" and "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" and her enduring love for the silver screen. But perhaps her greatest passion was reserved for the season of joy and giving—Christmas.

Her unbridled love for the holiday season ran so deep that she had put in place a tradition that truly set her apart. Not content with celebrating just once a year, she kept a Christmas tree up all year round, its twinkling lights a testament to her devotion to the festivities. But during Christmas, she went all out.

A Christmas Feast Left Untouched

As the calendar pages flipped towards Christmas in the year 2016, the Reynolds household was gearing up for a holiday season like no other. On the 23rd, Reynolds' daughter, the renowned actress Carrie Fisher, was on her way from London to join the family for the holiday season. Meanwhile, her mother had been toiling away in the kitchen.

The Christmas table was a sight to behold, adorned with all the festive trimmings. The menu had been carefully crafted to cater to every family member's palate. It was a Christmas dream come true in the making. The atmosphere was electric with anticipation as the family readied themselves for a Christmas unlike any other.

But, despite the meticulous preparations, the family, which included Fisher's daughter, Billie Lourd, would never have the chance to partake in the festive feast. Reynolds' close friend and accomplished writer, Sue Cameron, the keeper of this heartrending tale, painted a vivid picture of that fateful day. She recalled:

"When Carrie was flying in on the plane, Debbie had already made sure the table was set. The menu, everything. But there was no Christmas dinner."

Cameron somberly revealed that the Christmas dinner never happened, and the table simply sat there, serving as a solemn reminder of the unfulfilled holiday dreams. Fisher never made it home to embrace the warmth of her family and the joyous Christmas celebration that her mother had so lovingly prepared.

It so happened that, during her flight from London to Los Angeles, just two days before Christmas, the "Star Wars" actress suffered cardiac arrest. The once joyous journey turned into a race against time as paramedics rushed to her side.

Although they managed to remove her from the flight and transport her to a nearby hospital, the battle was uphill, and the outcome was uncertain. Amidst the holiday season's anticipation and the unfolding family tragedy, Reynolds turned to Facebook to share a glimmer of hope with concerned fans.

On Christmas Day, she posted a heartfelt message, reassuring everyone that Fisher was in a stable condition. However, just two days later, the world would be gripped by the news of Fisher's untimely passing.

The Mother and Daughter's Complex Bond and Their Unconventional Reunion

The devastating news of Fisher's untimely death on December 27, 2016, sent shockwaves through Hollywood and beyond. The beloved actress had breathed her last, leaving behind a legacy that transcends generations.

Reynolds, ever the devoted mother, was left heartbroken by the sudden loss of her daughter and died the following day. Her son, Todd Fisher, shared the news about the heart-wrenching loss of Reynolds herself and revealed her final moments:

"The last thing she said this morning was that she was very, very sad about losing Carrie and that she would like to be with her again."

Tragically, just fifteen minutes later, she suffered a severe stroke that would claim her life. It was a heart-wrenching turn of events that left fans and the entertainment industry in mourning.

The heartache deepened as Reynolds followed her daughter into the great beyond, passing away just one day after Fisher's heartbreaking demise. At the age of 84, Reynolds succumbed to an intracerebral hemorrhage, a type of stroke, marking the end of an era.

Reynolds and Fisher had shared a close yet occasionally turbulent relationship over the years. In a joint 2011 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Reynolds openly discussed the difficulties they encountered. She expressed the profound challenges of a situation where she longed to communicate with Fisher, to reach out, to embrace her, and to hold her close.

For a decade, a palpable estrangement between them had taken root, making it an extraordinarily trying and emotionally agonizing period for Reynolds. Despite these ups and downs, their bond remained unbreakable. Reynolds' unconditional love for her daughter transcended all obstacles, including Fisher's well-documented struggles with addiction and mental health.

While Reynold's cause of death was clear, the circumstances surrounding her daughter's death were shrouded in mystery. Fisher's official death certificate cited "cardiac arrest/deferred" as the primary cause of death, signifying the need for further examinations to identify the specific factors triggering the cardiac event she suffered during her United flight.

Examiners from the medical field asserted that "sleep apnea and unspecified elements" played a role in her untimely demise. Furthermore, indications of multiple drug usage surfaced, although their direct impact on Fisher's passing remained uncertain.

They added that "drug use" and atherosclerotic heart disease, a condition characterized by the accumulation of fats, cholesterol, and other substances on artery walls, further complicated her medical state.

An Icon's Final Tribute

Despite the physical departure of these Hollywood sweethearts, the luminance of their legacies continues to illuminate the hearts of countless admirers. This enduring brilliance was destined to find its poignant expression on May 4, 2023, when Lourd, the daughter of the late Fisher, stepped into the hallowed spotlight of the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Lourd took to the stage to accept a star on behalf of her late mother. It was a moment filled with both pride and sorrow. Lourd expressed that her mom would be "so excited and grateful" for the honor. With tears in her eyes, she declared, "Mama, you've made it."

The "Star Wars" legend was posthumously honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on May 4, which has come to be known as Star Wars Day. It was a fitting tribute to an actress whose iconic role as Princess Leia had left an indelible mark on the world of cinema.

In the wake of these heart-wrenching losses, the world continued to remember and celebrate Reynolds and Fisher not just for their immense talent but for their enduring love for each other, a bond that transcended even the finality of death. The Christmas table that never hosted its intended feast now stands as a symbol of a love that lives on, undiminished by the passage of time.