Legendary Hollywood Actress Raquel Welch Dead

The world has lost a trailblazing actress and a global icon.

Raquel Welch passed away this morning after a short illness according to her family. Welch had an enduring impact on both the entertainment industry and popular culture, leaving behind a legacy that will be remembered for generations to come.

At the pinnacle of her career, Raquel Welch shot to fame in 1966 with her back-to-back roles in “Fantastic Voyage” and “One Million Years B.C.” Despite having only a handful of lines in the latter, Welch’s wardrobe – a revealing deerskin bikini – made her an overnight sensation and a symbol of sex appeal.

Subsequently, Welch was in high demand throughout the ’60s and ’70s and won numerous accolades, including a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture Actress in a Musical or Comedy for her role in “The Three Musketeers” in 1974. In 1995, Empire magazine listed her among the “100 Sexiest Stars in Film History,” and Playboy ranked her #3 in its “100 Sexiest Stars of the 20th Century” list.

Welch also appeared on “The Cher Show” in 1975, where she performed “I’m a Woman” alongside Cher. Welch married four times and had two children, Tahnee and Damon Welch. She passed away at the age of 82.

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