The legendary Star Wars actor suffered a heart attack and went into cardiac arrest while on a flight on December 23rd. After being taken to the hospital it was reported that she was in a stable condition, and that they would update us if the situation changed. Unfortunately the subsequent update didn't bring good news.
Fisher's daughter, Billie Lourd, has released a statement through family spokesman Simon Halls confirming her mother's death to People:
"It is with a very deep sadness that Billie Lourd confirms that her beloved mother Carrie Fisher passed away at 8:55 this morning. She was loved by the world and she will be missed profoundly. Our entire family thanks you for your thoughts and prayers."
Fisher is best known for her break-out role as Princess Leia in the original Star Wars trilogy, but has featured in more than 90 films through the years. However, her reach also extended into the world of gaming. Unbeknown to many, Fisher's voice appeared very briefly in Dishonored, with Arkane's Harvey Smith mentioning her appearance on Twitter. More recently, her likeness appeared in Star Wars Battlefront.
Beyond her work as an actor and writer, Fisher has also been known for her work as a mental health activist, and revealed that she'd been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. As if that wasn't enough, she was also very open about her struggle with substance abuse, and is said to have helped people with the same problem.
We think that these wise words from Yoda suit the occasion:
"Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who have transformed into the Force. Mourn them do not. Miss them do not."
Our deepest condolences go out to her family, friends and fans around the world. Rest in peace, Carrie.