To finish out a disappointing 2016, Carrie Fisher passed away suddenly on December 27th. She was hospitalized over the holidays after she went into cardiac arrest on an 11 hour flight. After news of her passing became public, a flood of tributes began pouring in from her peers and fans alike.
Importantly, Fisher was not just the actress who played Princess Leia. She was also an acclaimed writer, script doctor, and star of successful films beyond the Star Wars universe. She was an important voice for mental health advocacy, gaining a reputation for being very candid about her struggles with drug addiction and bipolar disorder. Years before it was popular, she was putting a very public face on a dark, isolating disease. “I am mentally ill. I can say that. I am not ashamed of that. I survived that. I am still surviving it, but bring it on,” she said once. Carrie Fisher advocated without agenda. She didn’t talk about mental health so she could contribute to think pieces or be quoted in Buzzfeed articles. From the Carrie Fisher that is being described lovingly by her friends in touching tributes these past few days, it can pretty safely be assumed that being open about her joys and defeats were just part of her nature. More than just offering support to others who shared similar issues, Carrie allowed her struggles to inspire her. After an overdose incident in 1985 landed her in the hospital, she used to experience as material for her semi-autobiographical bestseller Postcards from the Edge.
The character of Princess Leia became an icon for her unapologetic strength of will and revolutionary role as a leader in a male-dominated sci-fi world. Similarly, Carrie Fisher made waves in the world of celebrities. In a time before social media, she was a pioneer for being completely candid about her struggles. She broke barriers that existed between celebrities and mental health stigmas. Ultimately, she broke barriers for everyone.
Carrie Fisher will leave behind a legacy that shines brighter than the stars. She refused to be defined by her struggles or her pop culture status. Fisher articulated her pain in a way few have before, using her public platform and sense of humor to bring awareness to difficult issues. She packed as much life as possible into her 60 years, and left not a single word unsaid. In her own words: "I want it reported that I drowned in moonlight, strangled by my own bra."
