Brady Bunch mom Florence Henderson dies at 82 from heart failure

Florence Henderson, who was famous for her role as a cheerful mom in the famous 1970s show The Brady Bunch, died at 82 years old last Nov. 24, her manager confirmed.

Kayla Pressman, Henderson's manager, said that the former sitcom star passed away surrounded by her family and friends after suffering a heart failure, USA Today reported.

Henderson started performing in stage musicals, debuting on Broadway in Wish You Were Here in 1952. She then worked in television, appearing in the 1950s TV series I Spy. Years after exposure in both television and stage performing, Henderson played her most famous role of Carol Brady in the Brady Bunch which started in 1969.

The show was stopped in 1974 but her role as Carol Brady cemented herself as one of the most iconic characters in Hollywood. Even after its end, the Brady Bunch rose to fame, especially among children and teenage viewers.

Its success was seen as it branched out to several spin-off series, namely, The Brady Bunch Hour, The Brady Girls Get Married, The Brady Series and The Bradys. A satirical comedy film called the The Brady Bunch Movie in 1995 was adapted followed by a sequel of A Very Brady Sequel.

Henderson took a two-year program at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts sponsored by a theatrical couple who were impressed with her singing performances in high school. After that, she secured a one-line role in Wish You Were Here when she was just 19 years old.

Henderson was married to Ira Bernstein, a theater executive, in 1956 before having their marriage divorced 29 years after. She married Dr. John George Kappas in 1987 but in 2002, her husband died. She had four children and five grandchildren.

The last roles Henderson suited up for were Irma in Disney Channel TV series K.C. Undercover and Mrs. Robinson in 2016 movie Fifty Shades of Black. People.com reported that Henderson was last seen in TV reprising her role in the Dancing With the Stars show.