Brenda Fricker Struggled With Depression For 50 Years Before Her Death, Attempted Suicide 32 Times

In a tragic piece of news, it has been revealed that Irish actress Brenda Fricker has passed away. For those unaware, Brenda was best known for her role as the ‘Pigeon Lady’ in Home Alone 2: Lost In New York. She took her last breath at the age of 81, in Dublin, on July 16, 2026. The news of her death was first revealed by her representative. 

Brenda Fricker had a long battle with depression 

Before her death, Brenda Fricker had always been open about the struggles she had with her mental health. During an interview on The Tommy Tiernan Show, she revealed that she had suffered from depression for nearly 50 years. This had led her to try to take her life 32 times. She said:

“Just yesterday, I visited the doctor who said, ‘We’re going to put you on stronger antidepressants.’ I’m somewhat of a recluse. Choosing to stay indoors is one thing, but being told to do so makes me want to go outside.”