Annette Funicello: A Life Remembered
Annette Funicello, famous for her roles as a Mouseketeer and in the “Beach Party” movies, faced many challenges in her life. Divorced at 41 with three kids, she later found love with Glen Holt, whom she married in 1986.
Initially, Annette kept her diagnosis of multiple sclerosis private, but as her health declined, they shared the news. Glen stood by her side, even saving her from a house fire in 2011. Annette’s last years were spent with Glen caring for her full-time until her passing in 2013.
Glen continued her legacy, chairing the Annette Funicello Research Fund For Neurological Diseases until his death in 2018. Annette’s hope was to find a cure for MS, despite her own struggles. As she once said, “My equilibrium is no more; it’s just progressively getting worse. But I thank God I just didn’t wake up one morning and not be able to walk.”
