Shannen Doherty hoped to 'squeeze out' another 3 to 5 years before her death from breast cancer at 53

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE: Shannen Doherty, died at the age of 53 on Saturday, July 13, after her prolonged battle with cancer. 

The 'Beverly Hills, 90210' actress had spoken about her views on dying in a podcast episode several months before her death, sharing detailed instructions for her funeral arrangements as well as her last wishes. 

Shannen Doherty was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015

Shannen Doherty was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. In a November 2023 cover story from PEOPLE Magazine, she disclosed that the cancer had spread to her bones.

In the final episode of her podcast, 'Let's Be Clear', released on Monday, July 8, the actress told her friend and former co-star Holly Marie Combs that her primary motivation for continuing to work was to ensure her mother was financially supported after her death

Doherty had planned to join Combs on her friend's 'Charmed' rewatch podcast before her death. 

The actress' longtime publicist, Leslie Sloane, confirmed her death to PEOPLE Magazine via a statement on Sunday.

Shannen Doherty hoped that her remains would be mixed with those of her dog and her father

On a January episode of 'Let's Be Clear', Shannen Doherty detailed her funeral arrangements. "I want [my remains] to be mixed with my dog, and I want it to be mixed with my dad. I do not want to be buried and not cremated," said the actress at the time, adding that her loved ones should distribute her ashes in "a healthy mixture" of ways.

The 'Beverly Hills, 90210' alum then mentioned that they could potentially scatter her and her father's ashes in Malibu, California, where they spent "precious time," or another location they both cherished. She also expressed interest in using her remains to "grow into a tree."

Her father, John Thomas Doherty, died in November 2010 aged 66 after battling a series of health issues. 

The actress wanted a "shorter" guest list for the funeral.

She explained, "There's a lot of people that I think would show up that I don't want there. I don't want them there because their reasons for showing up aren't necessarily the best reasons, like, they don't really like me and, you know, they have their reasons and good for them, but they don't actually really like me enough to show up to my funeral."

"[They'll show up]because it's the politically correct thing to do, and they don't want to look bad, so I kinda want to take the pressure off them and I want my funeral to be like a love fest. I don't want people to be crying or people to privately be like, 'Thank God that bitch is dead now,'" added the 'Charmed' star. 

Further into the episode, Doherty expressed her hope to "squeeze out another three to five years."

Referring to the possibility of receiving T-cell therapy and other emerging treatments, she said, "There’s going to be a lot more options that will give [us] another five years. Then in those five years, there’s a whole other group of options, and eventually, there’s going to be a cure."

Shannen Doherty let go of possessions that no longer brought her joy before her death

In an April episode of 'Let's Be Clear', Shannen Doherty discussed how she was letting go of physical possessions that no longer brought her joy, partly to ease the transition for her loved ones after her death.

She explained, "It feels like you're giving up on something that was very special and important to you. But you know that it's the right thing to do and that it's going to give you a sense of peace and a sense of calm. Because you're helping the people that you leave behind just have a cleaner, easier transition."

In the episode, Doherty, who was a collector of antique furniture, also reflected on her thought process regarding which items to let go of.

She questioned herself, "I’m not enjoying it and others aren't enjoying it, and do I really need any of it? Do I need to have three dining room tables? The answer is no, none of us really need all the stuff that we have, and we could all do with a little bit of downsizing and not become a hoarder, which I was doing with all my furniture."

The actress then mentioned that she was focusing on creating memories with friends and family rather than accumulating material possessions in her final years. She expressed, "I don't need this, it doesn’t really bring me any great joy, but what does bring me great joy is taking my mom to the places that she's always wanted to go to." 

Doherty then said, "I get to build different memories — I get to build memories with the people I love. I'm not digging into the money that's in my estate that is going to make sure everybody in my life is taken care of."

She reflected on a trip she took with her mom to Italy a few years ago, emphasizing the importance of creating those memories.

"[My mom] had tears pouring down her face because she never really thought that she would see that, and she certainly didn't think that she was going to be able to see that with me. Those are the things that matter the most. Not your possessions, not what you have," recounted Doherty.

Shannen Doherty's death leaves her fans heartbroken 

Upon learning of the death of Shannen Doherty, her fans flocked to social media to pay their condolences, with many praising the actress for the strength and resilience she showed in her fight against cancer.

One said, "So sad😢Always loved how real and brave she was 🙏rest in peace," and another wrote, "I’ve never commented on a celebrity’s death but Shannen was a part of my life starting from Little house & she had an impact & I respected her as a person and a true star .. Rest easy Shannen Doherty."

"Oh Shannen I really thought you could beat this. My heart is so broken over your death. May you rest in peace angel🙏🙏," commented a person. Someone else expressed, "You were a brave person and you gave a lot of people hope... including me. Rest easy.... you're free now."

"I am wondering what happened. Her last post was on the 25th and she seemed like she was doing well She was suppose to start chemo again and sounded very hopeful. Really sad tuŕn of events. May she rest in peace," stated another follower. 

An individual shared, "I grew up watching Shannen on Little House on the Prairie, Our House, Girls Just Want To Have Fun, Heathers, and of course, Beverly Hills, 90210. This just hit so hard. RIP, Shannen.   I hope you found Luke Perry and are hanging out together." 

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