Desiree Anzalone, the great-granddaughter of comedy legend Lucille Ball, bore a striking resemblance to her iconic ancestor. Tragically, Desiree passed away in 2020 at the age of 31 after battling stage 2 breast cancer that later spread.
Lucille Ball, famous for her role in “I Love Lucy” alongside husband Desi Arnaz, remains an enduring icon. The show, groundbreaking in its time, was one of the first to be filmed in front of a live audience. Ball and Arnaz, who married in 1940, had two children, Lucie and Desi Jr.
Desi Jr., amidst the pressures of growing up in Hollywood, became a teen idol himself. His daughter, Julia, born when he was just 15, later reconnected with him in adulthood after a paternity test confirmed their relationship.
Desiree, Julia’s daughter, also bonded closely with Desi Jr. before her untimely death from cancer. Julia, grieving her daughter and dealing with her mother’s COVID-19 death during the pandemic, now advocates for early mammogram screenings for young women to prevent similar tragedies.
Desiree’s legacy lives on through her family’s advocacy efforts, aiming to raise awareness about breast cancer prevention in young women.