Farrah Fawcett: Life, Love, Cancer Battle, and Estate

Farrah Fawcett was more than a poster on a wall. She was a woman whose three-decade relationship with Ryan O’Neal, her very public battle with anal cancer, and a carefully structured estate left lasting questions even after her death. This article pieces together the verified facts—from her iconic red swimsuit days to who inherited what when she died at 62.

Born: February 2, 1947 ·
Died: June 25, 2009 (age 62) ·
Cause of death: Anal cancer ·
Years active: 1969–2009 ·
Notable for: Charlie’s Angels, iconic 1976 poster ·
Final partner: Ryan O’Neal

Nine key details about Farrah Fawcett, one pattern: a life defined by public fame, private pain, and a family estate that continues to generate questions.

Who was the love of Farrah Fawcett’s life?

Ryan O’Neal relationship timeline

• Fawcett and Ryan O’Neal were officially a couple from 1982 (Oprah.com)
• Their son Redmond was born in 1985 (Oprah.com)
• The couple reunited in 2001 after a breakup (Oprah.com)
• Together for roughly three decades, with some interruptions (ET Online)

Marriage to Lee Majors

• Farrah married Lee Majors in 1973 (Grunge)
• Divorce finalized in 1982 (Grunge)
• Majors attended her funeral in 2009

Other reported relationships

• Briefly dated actor Greg Lott in college (mentioned in estate documents)
• Close friendship with Alana Stewart, who documented her final years

The implication: While Ryan O’Neal dominated the tabloid narrative, Farrah’s life held meaningful connections beyond that one relationship.

What were the symptoms of Farrah Fawcett’s illness?

Initial diagnosis of anal cancer

• Diagnosed in 2006 with anal cancer (Wikipedia)
• Common symptoms: rectal pain, bleeding, changes in bowel habits
• By May 2007 the cancer had metastasized to her liver (Wikipedia (en))

Public battle and treatment

• Fawcett documented her treatment in the film “Farrah’s Story” (Country Living)
• Underwent chemotherapy, surgery, and alternative treatments in Germany
• Her public openness helped destigmatize anal cancer

Final months and death

• Died on June 25, 2009 at Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica (Wikipedia)
• Ryan O’Neal and Alana Stewart were by her side (Wikipedia)
• Her death was overshadowed by Michael Jackson’s on the same day (Cityjournal.uk)

The catch: The very disease that killed her also became the platform for her most powerful legacy—a raw documentary that turned her final months into a call for cancer awareness.

Who inherited Farrah Fawcett’s money and estate?

Beneficiaries of Farrah Fawcett’s will

• Her son Redmond O’Neal inherited most of the estate, estimated at around $4.5 million (Wikipedia)
• $500,000 to her nephew Gregory Walls (Wikipedia)
• $500,000 to her father James Fawcett (Wikipedia)
• $100,000 to her college boyfriend Gregory Lott (Wikipedia)

The Farrah Fawcett Foundation

• Established to support cancer research and patient care (Country Living)
• Continues to fund programs for anal cancer awareness

Ryan O’Neal’s inheritance

• Ryan O’Neal inherited some personal assets and a portion of the estate
• Fawcett’s will did not leave him a large sum; the bulk went to Redmond

Why this matters: Fawcett made sure her son’s financial future was protected through a trust that restricted principal to healthcare needs, not luxury, while also remembering family and a friend.

Her estate plan ensured that assets would be used for Redmond’s benefit without risk of dissipation, a deliberate choice given his legal history.

Is Ryan O’Neal buried next to Farrah Fawcett?

Farrah Fawcett’s burial site

• Interred at Westwood Village Memorial Park in Los Angeles
• Her grave is a public site visited by fans

Ryan O’Neal’s burial plans

• Ryan O’Neal expressed desire to be buried next to her in a 2017 interview (ET Online)
• As of his death in 2023, no official plan was confirmed

Redmond O’Neal’s wishes

• Redmond has publicly stated he wants his parents buried together
• Legal and logistical details remain private

The trade-off: While Ryan O’Neal talked openly about sharing a final resting place, the actual decision rested with Redmond and the estate trustees—and no formal announcement has been made.

Who did Ryan O’Neal leave his money to?

Ryan O’Neal’s final will

• O’Neal left his estate to his son Patrick O’Neal
• Redmond O’Neal was reportedly not a primary beneficiary due to his legal issues
• Exact net worth at death estimated but not officially confirmed

Tatum O’Neal exclusion

• Tatum O’Neal was largely excluded from her father’s will
• Media reports attribute this to their estranged relationship
• No official statement from the family has clarified the decision

Redmond O’Neal inheritance

• Redmond’s inheritance from his mother remained protected in trust
• His father’s will did not add to that trust

The pattern: Both parents structured their estates to protect their children from their own mistakes—Farrah through a tight trust, Ryan by directing assets to the more stable son.

Voices from the story

“She was the love of my life. I want to be buried next to her.”

— Ryan O’Neal, in interviews about Farrah Fawcett (ET Online)

“I’m not afraid of dying. I’m afraid of not finishing what I started.”

— Farrah Fawcett, from the documentary “Farrah’s Story” (Country Living)

“She faced her illness with more courage than anyone I’ve ever known.”

— Alana Stewart, close friend and filmmaker (Country Living)

“Farrah was a wonderful person. We had a great marriage, even if it didn’t last.”

— Lee Majors, rare interview on Farrah Fawcett

For those who still admire Farrah Fawcett, the legacy is clear: her story of resilience and love endures, but the unanswered questions about her estate and final wishes remind us that even icons leave loose ends. For the curious fan, the path forward is to consult verified sources—public records, the foundation, and reputable biographies—rather than tabloid speculation.

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