Updated March 2002 in RED

She was fantastic. Over eighty films, 2 Oscars, 10 nominations, and an Emmy. She survived cancer, a stroke and a broken hip in quick succession in 1983. Eventually, it was the cancer that returned to claim it's star prize.

On October the 6^th, 1989, Bette was in Paris. She was returning from the San Sebastian Film Festival in Spain, where she received a lifetime achievement award. Her cancer had returned, and she knew it. In her acceptance speech in Spain, she stated, "If they'd waited any longer to give me this award, I wouldn't be here to receive it". In a 1987, she was asked about the prospect of her own death. She replied, "It should be something sudden. I don't want anyone sending money to any little charity instead of flowers. I want millions of flowers…I want everyone to weep. Copiously".

She died in the "The American Hospital in Paris", located at 63 Victor Hugo Boulevard. Bette Davis was dead, at the age of 81.

She was survived by her daughter B. D. (don't go there) Hyman, a son Michael Merrill and another daughter Margot Merrill. For funeral services, her lawyer Harold Schiff and her son planned a "very private funeral and memorial service", both in Los Angeles.

She is buried in Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills.

Trivia - When Lindsay Anderson was directing Bette and Lillian Gish in "The Whales of August", he paid a compliment one day to Gish. "Miss Gish, you just gave us a marvelous closeup!" to which Davis replied "She should. She invented them."

More Trivia: Here's a photo of the house on McCadden, where Bette and Joan Crawford filmed, "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane."

Last: Findadeath.com friend David Fowles visited the worst wax museum in the world, in Hollywood, and snapped this photo for us.  Thanks David!

More added March 2002:  I picked up a magazine that had a tiny interview with Jamie Lee (I ain't got no dick) Curtis, that asks her the first thing that comes to mind when you say Bette Davis:

"Heat.  I have to qualify this.  I was president of the homeowners association at the Colonial House in West Hollywood where she lived.  I would get calls from her.  (Jamie impersonates Bette Davis' voice) "Hello.  Jamie.  This is Bette Davis.  It's too cold.  I want the heat."  I'd say, "MIss Davis, I understand you are chilly, but its July.  I can't in good conscience go to the board of directors and say that we're going to turn on the head and charge people for heat in July in Southern California.  I really would suggest you get a heater or plug ins."  She'd answer, "It's too expensive on my electric bill."

Not that exciting, but an interesting perspective, eh?

Also:  Findadeath.com friend Rick sends us this:  Back in the eighties, Bette was in Dallas to film the Ron Howard film "Skyward". I found out where she was staying and sent her a dozen daisies, with a note telling her how much I had admired her body of work and her success at surviving in an industry that doesn't value older actresses. About a week later, I was amazed to get a cool 8 1/2 by 11 photo from her, signed and personalized, and a real sweet note thanking me for the daisies which she said was her favorite flower. What a class act.