Beloved entertainer Carol Burnett, as she approaches her 90th birthday in April 2023, reflects on her illustrious career and the deep personal losses she’s faced. Best known for “The Carol Burnett Show,” which was a trailblazer for featuring a female host on a comedy variety series, Burnett’s life has been a mélange of professional triumphs and poignant grief, particularly the loss of her daughter, Carrie Hamilton, in 2002.
In a heartfelt conversation with PEOPLE, Burnett shared, “There’s not a day or almost a moment goes by that she’s not with me. We worked together, we laughed together, we cried together. She was a force.” Much like her mother, Carrie pursued a career in acting, making her mark with the role of Reggie Higgins in the series “Fame” and appearing in films like “Tokyo Pop” and “Shag.”
Carrie’s journey was not without its challenges. She bravely battled drug addiction and faced a formidable fight with lung cancer, which eventually spread to her brain. Tragically, she passed away in January the following year at just 38 years old. Burnett recounted, “When she got sick, I remember she was in the hospital and I would go to see her every day. One day, a nurse at the hospital said, ‘Carrie cheers us up.’ I asked Carrie why she was always cheerful, and her reply was, ‘Everyday I wake up and decide.’ That’s the key word, decide. I say that to myself every morning.”
Burnett highlights how Carrie’s passing magnified her awareness of life’s fragility. “You don’t know. Life can change on a dime. So just be grateful for today what you have,” she mused. To honor her daughter’s memory, Burnett penned a memoir in 2014, “Carrie and Me: A Mother-Daughter Love Story,” capturing their shared experiences and enduring bond.
As Carol approaches the significant milestone of turning 90 on April 26, she reflects on reaching such an age with a mix of disbelief and gratitude. She humorously remarked, “I can’t wrap my head around it. I still feel like I’m about 11, but I’m amazed. It sure went fast. But I’m glad because I’ve got all my parts — got my hips, I got my knees and I’ve got my brain, so I’m happy about that.”
Looking back at her life and career, Burnett hopes to be remembered for bringing joy to her fans during tough times, saying, “In my fan mail, many say it was the only time the family would get together, to watch and laugh. And that sometimes they were lonesome and were cheered up by our show. That’s a good feeling.” Her legacy is not only one of laughter and entertainment but also of resilience and warmth, qualities she shared with her late daughter, Carrie.
