Hollywood sex icon Rachel Welch dies, 82

Raquel Welch has died at the age of 82 on the morning of 15th February,

The Hollywood star rose to fame in the 60s, when she appeared in the sci-fi movie ‘Fantastic Voyage’ and the fantasy film ‘One Million Years B.C’.

She had a minimal speaking role in One Million Years BC, but thanks to her deerskin bikini in the film she subsequently became one of the most sought-after stars in the movie business and an international sex symbol.

Reese Witherspoon has led tributes to Hollywood bombshell Raquel Welch, describing her as “elegant, professional and glamorous beyond belief”.

Celebrities who knew and collaborated with the US actress shared fond memories of her after the announcement of her death, aged 82, on February 15th..

Welch died after a brief illness, her manager and family confirmed.

Witherspoon, who worked with Welch on the 2001 cult classic film Legally Blonde, said she was “simply stunning”.

“So sad to hear about Raquel Welch’s passing,” she wrote on Twitter.

“May all her angels carry her home. Sending love to her family and her many fans.”

Bridesmaids director Paul Feig described Welch as a “true superstar” and that the world had lost an “icon”.

“This is so sad. I had the great pleasure of working with Ms Welch when I was a regular on Sabrina the Teenage Witch and she was awesome,” he said.

“Kind, funny and a true superstar whom I was pretty much in love with for most of my childhood. We’ve lost a true icon.”

The actress was particularly well-known for playing strong female characters and in 1974, she won a Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture Actress in a Musical or Comedy for her performance in ‘The Three Musketeers’.

Welch was married to James Welch from 1959 to 1964, Patrick Curtis from 1967 to 1972, Andre Weinfeld from 1980 to 1990, and Richard Palmer from 1999 to 2004.

She had two children with her first husband, daughter Latanee ‘Tahnee’ and son Damon Welch.