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The daughter of a famous celebrity, 2021 | Source: Instagram.com/katiecassidy
The daughter of a famous celebrity, 2021 | Source: Instagram.com/katiecassidy

This Girl Lost Superstar Dad on Her B-Day Eve – She Was with Him in Hospital before His Death but Was Cut from His Will

Junie Sihlangu
Jun 27, 2024
08:20 A.M.
  • This actress' father had a love-hate relationship with his fame.
  • He had two children but wasn't as present for his daughter whom he had a complicated relationship.
  • When he died, his daughter was present but still ended up being left out of his will.
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Even though she was his first child, this celebrity didn't raise her. He also said something hurtful about being her parent but she only had good things to say about him. When he passed, he gave her younger brother all his wealth. Read on to learn more about the star and his daughter.

The star's daughter at a young age in a post uploaded on June 4, 2021 | Source: Instagram/katiecassidy

The star's daughter at a young age in a post uploaded on June 4, 2021 | Source: Instagram/katiecassidy

The late star was a truly special performer with great ambitions that, as far as he was concerned, were ruined by his fine-boned looks. His pretty looks attracted a lot of attention. At the peak of his career, he reportedly received about 25,000 letters daily from admirers!

Fans would reportedly cram into any open space around where he stayed just to be close or catch a glimpse of him. Sadly, this invasion of privacy frustrated the talented musician and actor.

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David Cassidy on May 25, 1974, in London, England | Source: Getty Images

David Cassidy on May 25, 1974, in London, England | Source: Getty Images

The star did not like that the excess attention he got was more for his looks than his talent. But that did not stop him from using it to get his way when he wanted. He was married three times before his unexpected demise.

He had two children, a boy, Beau, and a girl. His first marriage was to Kay Lenz from 1977 until 1983, then to Meryl Tanz from 1984 until 1988. The famous singer's third wife was a songwriter named Sue Shifrin. They tied the knot in 1991 and she paid tribute to him upon his death.

David Cassidy and Sue Shifrin during the Cable Ace Awards in Los Angeles, California, on January 15, 1994 | Source: Getty Images

David Cassidy and Sue Shifrin during the Cable Ace Awards in Los Angeles, California, on January 15, 1994 | Source: Getty Images

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He had his first child, his baby girl, with a former model and his ex Sherry Williams, while his son was the product of his relationship with Shifrin. While alive, the actor and his daughter had a complicated relationship.

Her mother and stepfather, Richard Benedon, brought up the celebrity's child. However, her famous father still played an essential role in her life. In 2009, People engaged the musician and his daughter in a conversation about their unique father-daughter relationship.

The star's daughter at a young age in a post uploaded on June 4, 2021 | Source: Instagram/katiecassidy

The star's daughter at a young age in a post uploaded on June 4, 2021 | Source: Instagram/katiecassidy

In the interview, the star confirmed that he did not raise her, which he said allowed him to be there for her without being judgemental about whatever she told him. His daughter shared her positive opinion of her father's statement.

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She said, "To be able to go to someone I'm genetically linked to, tell them anything and know that they're not going to judge me — it's unbelievable." The actor's daughter continued, "It's nice when your dad can be your friend."

David Cassidy performs at the Queensborough Performing Arts Center in Queens on November 21, 2009 in New York City. | Photo: Getty Images

David Cassidy performs at the Queensborough Performing Arts Center in Queens on November 21, 2009 in New York City. | Photo: Getty Images

Her relationship with the famous David Cassidy started while she was in the fourth grade but, they became estranged over time. Things were bad enough that the celebrity's daughter was left out of the will after David's death.

He reportedly had the will written in 2004. However, while they were on great terms, the singer was not just a listening ear to his daughter; but also became her mentor. He gave her tips on navigating the world of showbiz; advice she applied later in life.

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The star's daughter at a young age in a post uploaded on June 4, 2021 | Source: Instagram/katiecassidy

The star's daughter at a young age in a post uploaded on June 4, 2021 | Source: Instagram/katiecassidy

David's daughter followed in his career footsteps by becoming an actress. She's often credited him with opening her eyes to the importance of investing in oneself to achieve goals. In his little way, the singer was a father to her, which is why she was by his side when he was hospitalized just before his death.

The star's daughter at a young age in a post uploaded on June 4, 2021 | Source: Instagram/katiecassidy

The star's daughter at a young age in a post uploaded on June 4, 2021 | Source: Instagram/katiecassidy

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It did not matter that just months before, David had unequivocally stated that he was simply one of the two people needed to bring her to this world and nothing more. In his own words, he said, "I never had a relationship with her. I wasn't her father. I was her biological father, but I didn't raise her."

Shirley Jones and David Cassidy during The TV Land Awards in California on March 2, 2003 | Source: Getty Images

Shirley Jones and David Cassidy during The TV Land Awards in California on March 2, 2003 | Source: Getty Images

It was revealed that issues caused by his alcohol addiction characterized his last ten years on earth. Between 2010 and 2014, he was arrested three times for driving under the influence (DUI).

After his altercation with the law in 2014, he was sentenced to 90 days in rehabilitation (rehab). It was also around the same time that Shifrin filed for divorce. Unfortunately, rehab was not enough to help David.

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David Cassidy posing for a picture on August 8, 2009, in Pasadena, California | Source: Getty Images

David Cassidy posing for a picture on August 8, 2009, in Pasadena, California | Source: Getty Images

He continued going on tours but fans noticed that he was often drunk on stage and was always forgetting his lyrics. David would later reveal that he had dementia, the same disease that killed his mother and maternal grandfather.

The star lived for years with the illness until he passed away at 67 from kidney and liver complications. David's November 21, 2017 death; happened days before his daughter celebrated her birthday on November 25.

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He had reportedly been in intensive care since being hospitalized for liver and kidney failure the week before his death. Five months after his passing, his daughter, Katie Cassidy revealed her thoughts. The "Arrow" star said, "Even though the loss of my father was hard, it really brought my uncles, myself, and my brother back together."

Katie and David Cassidy at the 9th annual Family Television Awards on November 28, 2007, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

Katie and David Cassidy at the 9th annual Family Television Awards on November 28, 2007, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

She added, "I think that's the silver lining." As stated earlier, David left all of his property to Beau. That included the bulk of his estate, which was estimated at $ 230,000 after debt expenses were paid.

David Cassidy performs at BB King on January 10, 2015 | Source: Getty Images

David Cassidy performs at BB King on January 10, 2015 | Source: Getty Images

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Beau also inherited his father's $ 450,000 retirement plan and his $1 million life insurance policy. In total, he received about $1.68 million.

David, Shaun Cassidy's brother, was born in Manhattan, New York, as the only child of Jack Cassidy and Evelyn Ward, both established actors.

David Cassidy at "Hollywood Today Live" at W Hollywood on December 14, 2016 | Source: Getty Images

David Cassidy at "Hollywood Today Live" at W Hollywood on December 14, 2016 | Source: Getty Images

However, things were not always rosy at home, and when the singer clocked six, his parents went their separate ways before getting divorced. At the age of 11, he moved to Los Angeles to live with his father and his second wife, Shirley Jones.

Jones would later play his mother on the sitcom "The Partridge Family."

"The Partridge Family" cast, including Susan Dey and David Cassidy, in May 1972 | Source: Getty Images

"The Partridge Family" cast, including Susan Dey and David Cassidy, in May 1972 | Source: Getty Images

David Cassidy had a troubled relationship with his father, who was an alcoholic. However, when Jack passed away in a house fire in 1976, the talented musician spent the next five years in therapy trying to "gain perspective."

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