Though Bob Mackie’s rep previously shared that the legendary designer’s cause of death was pneumonia, his death certificate revealed he suffered blunt head trauma and a subarachnoid hemorrhage.
New details about Bob Mackie’s death have surfaced.
Nearly one month after his rep told multiple outlets that the legendary designer’s cause of death was pneumonia, the late 87-year-old’s death certificate, obtained by Us Weekly Oct. 9, listed his immediate cause of death as a subarachnoid hemorrhage and blunt head trauma.
Three days before his Sept. 14 death, Mackie was at the home of his longtime design director Joseph McFate when he suffered a fall and sustained the injury, according to the docs. He experienced a subarachnoid hemorrhage, which is a type of stroke caused by an aneurysm or head injury where bleeding occurs near the brain, according to the Mayo Clinic.
After his death certificate was released, Mackie’s team provided more details about his condition before his death.
“For clarification, Mr. Mackie was staying in the guest house at the home of his longtime Design Director, Joe McFate,” a rep told Us Weekly in an Oct. 9 statement. “A healthcare professional was with him when he fell.”
Plus, the rep emphasized, “He was also suffering from pneumonia both before and after his hospitalization.”
Following Mackie’s death, his body was cremated on Sept. 17 and his remains were scattered at sea off the coast of San Diego County in California, according to the death certificate.
After news of his passing, Mackie was remembered by his longtime collaborator Carol Burnett, for whom he served as the main costume designer throughout the entirety of her 11-season run on The Carol Burnett Show.
“Sadness doesn’t come close to how I feel. I loved him very much,” Burnett wrote on Instagram the day of his death. “As for his genius, there are fashion designers who don’t do costumes and there are costume designers who don’t do fashion. Bob did it all.”
The 93-year-old added, “There was no one like him.”
For her part, Cher reflected paid tribute to Mackie following their more than four decades of friendship.
“My dear Bob has gone up to heaven,” the singer wrote on X. “Knowing him, he’s bringing Sequins, Beads, & his sketch pad. Good nite sweet Prince. Luv, Me.”
