Stars who took huge secrets to the grave

Both Whitney Houston and her brother, Gary, were allegedly molested by their cousin, singer Dee Dee Warwick. Houston's assistant and friend, Mary Jones, recalled the moment the singer told her the secret. She reportedly told her: "Mary, I was molested at a young age too. But it wasn't by a man—it was a woman."

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Prince -

The world might have been shocked to know that Prince died of an accidental overdose of an opioid painkiller, but other secrets emerged after the artist's death in 2016.

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Prince -

It turns out that Prince was very discreet with his philanthropic efforts. But after his death, it was revealed how generous he really was. Prince often donated anonymously.

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Prince -

An example includes an environmentalist who worked on the Green Jobs Act, who reportedly received an anonymous US$50,000 check, which was later confirmed to be from the late star.

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Gene Wilder -

The actor will always be remembered for his role in 'Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory' (1971). Wilder's cause of death was complications from Alzheimer's disease, a condition he kept secret from the public.

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Gene Wilder -

A statement by Wilder's family explained the reason why he kept it a secret. "The decision to wait until this time to disclose his condition wasn't vanity, but more so that the countless young children that would smile or call out to him 'there's Willy Wonka,' would not have to be then exposed to an adult referencing illness or trouble and causing delight to travel to worry, disappointment or confusion. He simply couldn't bear the idea of one less smile in the world."

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George Michael -

The singer might have been in the news for all the right and wrong reasons. But despite all the controversies, it wasn't until after George Michael died that the world knew about his generous heart.

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George Michael -

For years, the singer donated generously to numerous organizations, including Macmillan Cancer Support, Terrence Higgins Trust, and Childline. The latter received royalties from his huge hit 'Jesus to a Child.' "Over the years he gave us millions," said the founder of Childline, Esther Rantzen.

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Rock Hudson -

Hudson had a great career, spanning over three decades. By the end of it, in the mid 1980s, he was diagnosed with AIDS. The actor eventually died on October 2, 1985.

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Rock Hudson -

At the time, the disease was largely associated with gay men, though despite speculations, Hudson never really confirmed that we was gay. The star's sexuality was not revealed until after his death.

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Corey Haim -

The Canadian actor became pretty big in the '80s, but Hollywood stardom didn't just bring him fame and fortune. Before he passed away, Haim claimed to have been abused during those years.

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Corey Haim -

The name of the perpetrator is still unknown to this day. Though his 'The Lost Boys' co-star and friend, Corey Feldman is said to know who he is.

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Corey Haim -

Actors such as Dominick Brascia have been mentioned by Feldman, but the truth is yet to be known. A documentary was even made about the story.

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David Cassidy -

Before his death, the singer publicly talked about his battle with dementia. When David Cassidy passed away on November 21, 2017, it was speculated that his death had something to do with the condition. Except, it didn't.

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David Cassidy -

"There is no sign of me having dementia at this stage of my life... It was complete alcohol poisoning. And the fact is, I lied about my drinking," Cassidy admitted in a documentary released after his death.

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Anthony Perkins -

The actor, famed for his role in Alfred Hitchcock's 'Psycho' movies, was very private about his personal life. So much so that he was sick with AIDS and no one knew about it, until his death in 1992.

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Anthony Perkins -

"I chose not to go public about [having AIDS] because, to misquote 'Casablanca,' I'm not much at being noble, but it doesn't take much to see that the problems of one old actor don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world," read a statement by the actor that was made public after his death.

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David Carradine -

The actor, known for his martial arts roles, was found dead in a Bangkok hotel room in 2009. The cause of death was asphyxiation due to a s e x act gone wrong.

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David Carradine -

Carradine had a calm, composed aura, and most people wouldn't suspect a thing. Though some people close to him were aware of his "kinky moments," as his third wife, Gail Jensen, described them.

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Sally Ride -

Ride went down in history as the first American woman in space. That's a pretty big accomplishment on its own. But there is a secret the astronaut took with her to the grave.

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Sally Ride -

Not only was Sally Ride the first American woman astronaut in space, but she was also the first gay woman in space!

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Bob Crane -

'Hogan's Heroes' actor Bob Crane was allegedly murdered in 1978. When an investigation into his death was launched, details of a secret transpired.

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Bob Crane -

The police found a huge collection of homemade explicit photos and videotapes among his possessions. It was suspected that the actor might have been a sex addict.

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Billy Tipton -

The American jazz musician became famous in the '50s with the Billy Tipton Trio. The musician was reportedly married at least five times, and had three adopted children.

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Billy Tipton -

But it wasn't until the day he died that it was discovered that Tipton was a transgender man.

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Billy Tipton -

The "Tipton story is about the indeterminacy of gender identity," wrote Diane Middlebrook, author of the book 'Suits Me: The Double Life of Billy Tipton.'

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Jimmy Savile -

The iconic British radio and TV personality was loved by many people...until dark details about his life emerged following his death in 2011.

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Jimmy Savile -

Saville was accused by a whopping 450 people of abuse. According to the BBC, over 80% of the alleged victims were female, and 80% were children or young people.

Sources: (Nicki Swift)

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Whitney Houston -

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Whitney Houston -

Getty Images

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Prince -

The world might have been shocked to know that Prince died of an accidental overdose of an opioid painkiller, but other secrets emerged after the artist's death in 2016.

Getty Images

3 / 30 Fotos

Prince -

It turns out that Prince was very discreet with his philanthropic efforts. But after his death, it was revealed how generous he really was. Prince often donated anonymously.

Getty Images

4 / 30 Fotos

Prince -

An example includes an environmentalist who worked on the Green Jobs Act, who reportedly received an anonymous US$50,000 check, which was later confirmed to be from the late star.

Getty Images

5 / 30 Fotos

Gene Wilder -

Getty Images

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Gene Wilder -

Getty Images

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George Michael -

The singer might have been in the news for all the right and wrong reasons. But despite all the controversies, it wasn't until after George Michael died that the world knew about his generous heart.

Getty Images

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George Michael -

Getty Images

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Rock Hudson -

Hudson had a great career, spanning over three decades. By the end of it, in the mid 1980s, he was diagnosed with AIDS. The actor eventually died on October 2, 1985.

Getty Images

10 / 30 Fotos

Rock Hudson -

At the time, the disease was largely associated with gay men, though despite speculations, Hudson never really confirmed that we was gay. The star's sexuality was not revealed until after his death.

Getty Images

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Corey Haim -

The Canadian actor became pretty big in the '80s, but Hollywood stardom didn't just bring him fame and fortune. Before he passed away, Haim claimed to have been abused during those years.

Getty Images

12 / 30 Fotos

Corey Haim -

The name of the perpetrator is still unknown to this day. Though his 'The Lost Boys' co-star and friend, Corey Feldman is said to know who he is.

Getty Images

13 / 30 Fotos

Corey Haim -

Actors such as Dominick Brascia have been mentioned by Feldman, but the truth is yet to be known. A documentary was even made about the story.

Getty Images

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David Cassidy -

Getty Images

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David Cassidy -

Getty Images

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Anthony Perkins -

The actor, famed for his role in Alfred Hitchcock's 'Psycho' movies, was very private about his personal life. So much so that he was sick with AIDS and no one knew about it, until his death in 1992.

Getty Images

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Anthony Perkins -

Getty Images

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David Carradine -

The actor, known for his martial arts roles, was found dead in a Bangkok hotel room in 2009. The cause of death was asphyxiation due to a s e x act gone wrong.

Getty Images

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David Carradine -

Carradine had a calm, composed aura, and most people wouldn't suspect a thing. Though some people close to him were aware of his "kinky moments," as his third wife, Gail Jensen, described them.

Getty Images

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Sally Ride -

Ride went down in history as the first American woman in space. That's a pretty big accomplishment on its own. But there is a secret the astronaut took with her to the grave.

Getty Images

21 / 30 Fotos

Sally Ride -

Not only was Sally Ride the first American woman astronaut in space, but she was also the first gay woman in space!

Getty Images

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Bob Crane -

'Hogan's Heroes' actor Bob Crane was allegedly murdered in 1978. When an investigation into his death was launched, details of a secret transpired.

Getty Images

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Bob Crane -

The police found a huge collection of homemade explicit photos and videotapes among his possessions. It was suspected that the actor might have been a sex addict.

Getty Images

24 / 30 Fotos

Billy Tipton -

The American jazz musician became famous in the '50s with the Billy Tipton Trio. The musician was reportedly married at least five times, and had three adopted children.

Getty Images

25 / 30 Fotos

Billy Tipton -

But it wasn't until the day he died that it was discovered that Tipton was a transgender man.

Getty Images

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Billy Tipton -

The "Tipton story is about the indeterminacy of gender identity," wrote Diane Middlebrook, author of the book 'Suits Me: The Double Life of Billy Tipton.'

Getty Images

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Jimmy Savile -

The iconic British radio and TV personality was loved by many people...until dark details about his life emerged following his death in 2011.

Getty Images

28 / 30 Fotos

Jimmy Savile -

Saville was accused by a whopping 450 people of abuse. According to the BBC, over 80% of the alleged victims were female, and 80% were children or young people.

Sources: (Nicki Swift)

Getty Images

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Stars who took huge secrets to the grave

Some are quite disturbing...

18/10/24 | StarsInsider

CELEBRITY Curiosities

Celebrities might always be under the spotlight, but some do manage to keep things under the radar throughout their entire lives. For many years, certain stars managed to keep secrets that were not revealed until after their deaths. From sad stories of abuse to heartwarming stories of famous faces who were extremely charitable, in this gallery you'll find a bit of everything.

Browse through and discover the secrets these stars took to the grave.