How Did Grumpy Cat Die? New Details On The Tragic Death Of The Feline Internet Sensation
RIP to a legend.
instagram For anyone who loves cats, you know how therapeutic and overall amazing they are. Fluffy, funny, weird, and cute? What could be better than that? And with the internet, over the years we’ve seen an influx of praise-worthy kitties, including Lil Bub, Maru, Keyboard Cat, and Nyan Cat.
Unfortunately, we’ve lost one of these legends: Grumpy Cat. Her real name was Tardar Sauce, and she went viral after her owner posted a photo of her notorious frown on Reddit back in 2012. The internet quickly turned her into memes, and her social media presence blew up.
At the time of her death, she had 2.5 million followers on Instagram, and appeared on television shows like American Idol and Good Morning America.
She had her very own movie, Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever, which starred Aubrey Plaza as the voice of her character, and appeared in the Lil Bub & Friendz documentary. She had a book, Grumpy Cat: A Grumpy Book, and Madame Tussauds in San Francisco created a wax figure of her in 2015. That same year, even President Obama did an impression of her during a speech!
But how did Grumpy Cat die? On May 17th, her owners made a post on Instagram:
“Despite care from top professionals, as well as from her very loving family, Grumpy encountered complications from a recent urinary tract infection that unfortunately became too tough for her to overcome. She passed away peacefully on the morning of Tuesday May 14, at home in the arms of her mommy, Tabatha.
Besides being our baby and a cherished member of the family, Grumpy Cat has helped millions of people smile all around the world — even when times were tough. Her spirit will continue to live on through her fans everywhere.”
Grumpy Cat was just seven years old, but in her short time here on earth, she changed the internet and lives forever. Her owner, Tabitha Bundesen, said her facial expression was caused by an underbite and feline dwarfism, and that despite her frown, she was actually a very happy kitty.
There’s nothing as heartbreaking as losing a pet, and the world is mourning with Grumpy Cat’s family and fans. She’s left a lasting impact on all of us, and whether or not you’re a cat lover, there’s no denying her goofy little frown always made you feel better.
Samantha Maffucci is an editor for YourTango who focuses on writing trending news and entertainment pieces. In her free time, you can find her obsessing about cats, wine, and all things Vanderpump Rules.