EastEnders Star Barbara Windsor’s Alzheimer’s Struggle – Her Private Battle Against Fading Away

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A symbol from EastEnders Alzheimer’s claimed Barbara Windsor’s life in 2020; she was diagnosed with the debilitating illness in 2014.

2014 saw the official diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease for Dame Barbara Windsor. The EastEnders actress was diagnosed with the degenerative brain illness after experiencing difficulty remembering lines. She undertook mental agility tests and a brain scan, and the results were heartbreaking.

The iconic soap opera star, who played Peggy Mitchell on the BBC serial opera from 1994 to 2016, concealed her illness for four years until her husband, Scott Mitchell, verified it in response to rumors that her health was failing.

“Since her 80th birthday last August, a definite continual confusion has set in, so it’s becoming a lot more difficult for us to hide,” stated Scott, who was 26 years Barbara’s junior. I’m taking this action because I want us to be able to go out and, now that others are aware of her Alzheimer’s diagnosis and will accept it for what it is, if anything isn’t quite right, it won’t be a problem.

In 2018, Scott Mitchell verified Barbara’s diagnosis.

The late actress started advocating for those with dementia in the same year that she revealed her illness. She made an appearance in a video to support a drive to collect money and alter public perceptions of the illness.

“I can wind the clock ­forward years and really frighten myself because I don’t know what’s going to happen from here to next year,” he stated to Chris Evans. “To be honest, I have no idea what may happen tomorrow, so for as long as I am able to, I want Barbara to always feel secure and cherished. I’m probably not in control of the rest.”

Barbara visited with former prime minister Boris Johnson in September 2019 in the grounds of 10 Downing Street. She brought a petition urging funding for dementia care.

More than 100,000 signatures were added to the letter that Barbara and the general public signed and handed to the prime minister. The letter insisted that fixing dementia care financing “without delay” required “decisive action” and that it “must be an immediate priority for your government.”

The Carry On performer, who would have turned 84 today (August 6) made a rare TV appearance to deliver a special Christmas greeting on Good Morning Britain during the holiday season. She concluded with: “Merry Christmas and a happy new year to all the viewers and everyone at Good Morning Britain from us and everyone at The Alzheimer’s Society.”

In 2019, Barbara and Boris Johnson met.

In August 2018, Barbara had dizziness and difficulty breathing, which led to the need to implant a pacemaker. The celebrity passed out at home and was taken to the hospital; physicians said that prescription side effects were the cause of her illness.

Barbara’s condition worsened over time, and in early 2019, it was discovered that she required 24-hour care since her Alzheimer’s was so severe that she “cannot be by herself.”

The soap star started having trouble remembering her pals’ names that same year. The Sunday Express was informed by Kellie Shirley, who portrayed Carly Wicks on the BBC serial opera, that the actress could remember “so much about the past as clear as day, but won’t remember her name.”

Later, Scott revealed how his wife had changed into a more subdued version of her vibrant self and how she was disappearing right before his eyes.

Around the same time, Scott provided an update on his wife’s health, saying, “The lovely thing is, she still has that lovely sense of fun.” She still enjoys sitting and giggling. She laughs at me, and I laugh at her. She is obviously quite uncomfortable with the misunderstanding.”

2014 saw the official diagnosis

Scott continued by saying that his wife occasionally failed to recognize him. During the lockdown in late July 2020, the actor said he was “heartbroken” when Barbara was placed in a care facility on the recommendation of a neurologist.

Christopher Biggins, a close friend, said that she seemed “happy” and “comfortable” in her new environment. Scott said in December 2020 that Barbara, at eighty-three, had lost her fight with the illness and had died in her London care facility.

He stated: “Her passing was from Alzheimer’s/dementia and Barbara eventually died peacefully and I spent the last seven days by her side.” According to Scott, his wife was “full of humour, drama, and a fighting spirit until the end,” and these traits were evident in the latter weeks of her life.

“It was not the ending that Barbara or anyone else living with this very cruel disease deserves,” the 61-year-old continued. I will always be incredibly proud of Barbara for her bravery, selflessness, and kindness in facing her own sickness and continuing, for as long as she could, to attempt to assist others by spreading awareness.”

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