AUTHOR of the popular books 'Interview With A Vampire' and 'The Vampire Chronicles', Anne Rice has passed away on Saturday night. She was 80 years old.
Her son, Christopher shared the news on her Facebook page. In a statement, he confirmed that she died from complications arising from a stroke, reported Metro.
"Dearest People of Page. This is Anne’s son Christopher and it breaks my heart to bring you this sad news," he said. "Earlier tonight, Anne passed away due to complications resulting from a stroke. She left us almost nineteen years to the day my father, her husband Stan, died.
"The immensity of our family’s grief cannot be overstated. As my mother, her support for me was unconditional – she taught me to embrace my dreams, reject conformity and challenge the dark voices of fear and self-doubt. As a writer, she taught me to defy genre boundaries and surrender to my obsessive passions.
"In her final hours, I sat beside her hospital bed in awe of her accomplishments and her courage, awash in memories of a life that took us from the fog laced hills of the San Francisco Bay Area to the magical streets of New Orleans to the twinkling vistas of Southern California.
"As she kissed Anne goodbye, her younger sister Karen said, 'What a ride you took us on, kid.' I think we can all agree. Let us take comfort in the shared hope that Anne is now experiencing firsthand the glorious answers to many great spiritual and cosmic questions, the quest for which defined her life and career.’
"Throughout much of her final years, your contributions to this page brought her much joy, along with a profound sense of friendship and community."
Christopher ended the post by saying that Rice will be interred in the family’s mausoleum at Metairie Cemetery in New Orleans. It will be a private ceremony.
He added: "Next year, a celebration of her life will take place in New Orleans. This event will be open to the public and will invite the participation of her friends, readers and fans who brought her such joy and inspiration throughout her life."
Rice published her first novel, 'Interview With A Vampire' in 1976. It became a bestseller and was later made into a movie starring Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise and Kirsten Dunst.
Sequels 'Vampire Lestat' and 'The Queen of The Damned' later followed. 'Blood and Gold', and 'Prince Lestat' are among the books that make up the series.
She last released 'Blood Communion: A Tale of Prince Lestat' in 2018.
Rice also used the pseudonyms Anne Rampling, to write 'Exit to Eden' and 'Belinda', and A N Roquelaure ('Beauty’s Punishment').
Rice and her husband Stan met in a journalism class at high school and were married in 1961.
Rice is survived by son Christopher. – The Vibes, December 12, 2021
