Maria Menounos' mother, Litsa Menounos, dies of brain cancer
Maria Menounos' mother, Litsa Menounos, died on Sunday after a long battle with brain cancer.
The Greek-American TV personality took to Instagram to share the devastating news, posting a black and white photo of her in bed with her mother captioned, "RIP mom. god loved her so much he took her on greek easter."
Menounos previously said her mother was diagnosed in August 2016 with glioblastoma, stage 4 brain cancer. In 2017, Menounos revealed that she was having surgery to remove a benign brain tumor, just as her mother was battling cancer.
“It's been a crazy few years for us, but Mom has been a total miracle,” Menounos shared in a video diary in April.
Experts have said glioblastoma is among the deadliest type of brain cancer. The aggressive cancer affects an estimated 13,000 in the United States every year. Senators John McCain and Ted Kennedy both died from the disease.
Through her mother's health battle, Menounos was very open about her life as a caretaker and often used her platform to raise awareness of glioblastoma.
In November 2020, Menounos asked for "prayers" for her parents, who were diagnosed with COVID-19.
She shared a video in April in which she spoke about her parents' battles with COVID-19 and the emotional toll on their family. "Definitely the challenge of my life," she wrote about her mom and dad's COVID-19 battles.
Many expressed their condolences in the comments section of Menounos' post announcing her mother's death.
Nikki Bella wrote, "RIP. sending you and the fam so much love light and prayers." Nikki's twin sister Brie echoed the sentiment. Zoe Saldana added, "We send you so much love. Our deepest condolences Maria."
Catt Sadler, Menounos' former colleague at E! News, wrote, "I know one thing for certain - your mother knew the most extraordinary love there ever was to know because of you. Your devotion to her was unparalleled. She’s with other angels now. Sending all my love.❤️💔❤️"
Actress Ali Landry added, "Oh Maria! I am so sorry! I have watched your journey with your beautiful Mom for months now and have been praying fervently for your family! She Is a MIRACLE!!!! Her life and strength and your love as a daughter was a gift for all of us to see!"
