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Topics: Cancer, Celebrity, Health, Shannen Doherty
Niamh Shackleton
Topics: Cancer, Celebrity, Health, Shannen Doherty
Shannen Doherty shared a heartbreaking admission in the months leading up to her death last week.
Doherty, who was best known for starring in TV shows like 90210 and Charmed, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015.
After a brief stint in remission, she announced in 2020 that her cancer had returned. And sadly, Doherty's cancer then spread to other parts of her body and she lost her years-long health battle on Saturday, July 13.
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In the year leading up to her death, the actress filed for divorce from her husband of 11 years, Kurt Iswarienko.
Their divorce had been far from smooth running, but just 24 hours before her death, Doherty signed a filing to waive spousal support.
Doherty is also said to have agreed to a 'default or uncontested dissolution' of the marriage.
Paperwork obtained by PEOPLE read: "The parties have entered into a written agreement regarding their property and their marriage or domestic partnership rights, including support, the original of which is being or has been submitted to the court."
But before ending their marriage, Doherty had hoped to have a child with Iswarienko.
Speaking in a moving January episode of her Let's Be Clear podcast, she said: "Not only did I want a child for myself, but I wanted it for my husband. I wanted it for our marriage. I wanted him to have that part of himself fulfilled as well."
The pair wed in 2011 and Doherty went on to undergo several rounds on IVF. But following her 2015 cancer diagnosis, the actor had to stop IVF, meaning she and Isawarienko were never able to conceive.
Late last year, Doherty had doubled down on her hopes of becoming a parent.
"I think I would love nothing more than to be a mom," she said to PEOPLE at the time. "I always wanted it."
Speaking about the potential of adopting, Doherty added: "I look at kids who don't have parents at all, and I think if I adopt a child or whatever it is, any amount of time is better than nothing. Maybe. I don't know."
While she was never able to have kids of her own, the 90210 favorite had a good bond with her best friend's children as well as her brother's seven kids.
If you are worried about infertility, you can contact the Resolve helpline to speak to a trained volunteer with experience of infertility who can guide you to resources which might help you.
You can call 866.NOT.ALONE (866.668.2566) to leave a message and a volunteer will respond within three days. If you require the advice of a professional, please consult your local fertility specialist.