Raquel Welch, Sex Symbol and Screen Legend, Dies at 82
Rocketing to stardom in the 1960s, Welch became a global sex symbol after her iconic turn as a bikini-clad cavewoman in One Million Years B.C. (1966).
“I’m not imperceptible to masculine charm, but, well, you know, I can flirt.”
— Raquel Welch
Raquel Welch was an American actress and pop culture icon who rose to fame in the 1960s with a blend of undeniable screen presence, striking beauty, and a knack for roles that pushed the boundaries of traditional Hollywood femininity.
Born Jo Raquel Tejada in 1940, she became a household name after starring in films like One Million Years B.C., where her iconic fur bikini turned her into an international sensation almost overnight.
Personal life
Raquel Welch was married and divorced four times. Her first husband was James Welch, her high school sweetheart, whom she married in 1959. The couple had two children together: Damon and Tahnee Welch. Tahnee later pursued a career in acting and modeling, following in her mother’s footsteps, though with only modest success. Raquel kept her first husband’s surname professionally even after their divorce in 1964.
Her second husband was Patrick Curtis, her former agent and a film producer. They were married from 1967 to 1972. In 1977, she began a relationship with French director André Weinfeld, who later moved to Los Angeles to be with her. They married in 1980 and divorced in 1990. Her final marriage was to Richard Palmer, a pizzeria owner, in 1999. That union ended in divorce in 2003.
How did Raquel Welch die?
Raquel Welch passed away peacefully at her Los Angeles home on February 15, 2023, at the age of 82. The cause was cardiac arrest, and she had also been living with Alzheimer’s disease. According to her manager, her passing followed a brief illness.