Barbara Corcoran Faked Her Own Death at 70th Birthday Party

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The Sharks weren’t expecting this innovative idea.

It’s not something you see every day: In April 2019, while celebrating her 70th birthday with what she called “the best party of the century,” Barbara Corcoran, a star from Shark Tank, playfully pretended she had passed away.

I found out about the surprise party my friends were planning, thanks to a close friend who let me in on the secret,” the 76-year-old shared on Boardroom Talks on January 27th.

As soon as she learned about their party plans, she came up with a surprise of her own, telling her friend she was going to one-up them.

I was so excited for Barbara’s return! Her friends and I were putting the finishing touches on a surprise party upstairs at her place, thinking she was still on her way from the airport. We were totally fooled, though! Her brother came up and casually told us she was already home, downstairs. It was a bit of a mix-up, but ultimately, we were all thrilled to see her!

She recounted walking into the living room to find everyone staring at her in a coffin, then burst out laughing. It was all a prank – she’d completely transformed the room to look like a funeral home, and her friends didn’t suspect a thing.

She went on to explain that everyone was there – the chairs, the nuns, the priests, the rabbis – and they all talked about her, sharing both the things they liked and disliked, as if she wasn’t alive to hear it.

The most direct reaction came from the entrepreneur’s daughter, Katie, who she and her husband, Bill Higgins, adopted in 2005. Barbara, who is also mother to 31-year-old Tom with Bill, recalled that Katie was only about nine years old at the time and simply asked, “When will we get the money?”

She continued, “It’s strange, but people were talking about me. How many people get to hear what others say about them after they’ve passed away? I was lucky enough to hear it all.”

And the TV star reiterated that her guests had no idea it wasn’t a real funeral.

She said she could hear people gasp. With her eyes closed, she remained perfectly still. Everyone was shocked, believing she had died. She lay motionless for ten minutes, which she described as a surprisingly good experience.

And the reveal was just as good, as Barbara shared that she “got up and danced.”

“I looked beautiful,” she said. “I had my makeup done.”

While it was all a joke, some people outside of the party thought Barbara had actually died.

She recounted being told by her doorman the next morning that reports of her death were circulating online. Apparently, news of her passing had spread all over social media.

She chuckled and said, “I actually thought that was my best report card! And it was a really fun night – even the DJ was wearing a priest costume.”

Soon after the party, Barbara jokingly announced her ‘death’ on Instagram. She posted a picture with the caption, “Surprise 70th!! I surprised my guests by pretending to be in a coffin on Saturday.”

After her friends and family—about 90 people—paid their respects, she surprised everyone by sitting up in the coffin, wearing a red Carolina Herrera gown. As Diana Ross’s song ‘I’m Alive!’ played, she even danced the Tango! She explained her bold move by saying, ‘You only live once, so you might as well enjoy it!’

For more hilariously candid celebrity confessions, keep reading. 

In June 2024, NFL player Jason Kelce jokingly tweeted about someone commenting that he appears to not wash his legs or feet, responding with, “What kind of weirdo washes their feet…”

The retired Philadelphia Eagles player later doubled down on his comments.

During a recent episode of his podcast, New Heights with his brother Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes jokingly asked, “What kind of person washes your feet?” He then added, “I’ll clean them if I see dirt, though.”

More than ten years after actor Kristen Stewart shared a story about witnessing a clown’s death in a car accident at the circus when he was a child, he confessed that the story was fabricated.

Robert remembered telling The New York Times Style Magazine in December 2024 that he reacted with complete surprise. He said he immediately asked, “What on earth? Are you possessed?”

As for what he said during the 2011 Today interview promoting his film Water for Elephants?

He explained that one of the clowns had died in an accident. Their small car exploded, and it was a very serious incident. Everyone panicked and ran to safety; it was a truly frightening experience.

Grandma knows best.

In an October 2022 episode of The Kardashians, Kim Kardashian shared a personal story about how her grandmother, Mary Jo “MJ” Campbell, unexpectedly played a role in a private moment with her then-boyfriend, Pete Davidson.

Kim Kardashian told MJ, Kris Jenner, and Khloé Kardashian that she and Pete Davidson were at the Beverly Hills Hotel when she remembered something her grandmother had told her. She explained that her grandmother believed having sex in front of a fireplace was a way to truly enjoy life, so they decided to do it as a tribute to Kris.

Grandma’s reaction? A nod of approval.

Kim jokingly remarked, “Is it weird to think about your grandmother before being intimate?” MJ responded with a laugh, “I know it sounds strange, but I used to be younger and think like that too.”

Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher have a very close family, including their children, 8-year-old Wyatt and 6-year-old Dimitri, and their love for each other is endless.

So much so, that the Black Swan actress revealed they keep an open-door policy at home.

She told TopMob News in September 2022 that this also applies to bathroom habits. She explained that her family has simply accepted all normal bodily functions as a natural part of life, for better or worse, and the kids have grown up with that understanding.

Mila explained she decided to give in after her family repeatedly asked to come inside. She said she eventually thought, ‘Oh well, I’ll just leave the door open.’

Pre-kids, she might not have imagined she’d flush that particular boundary away.

She said she never imagined she’d be comfortable enough to use the restroom with the door open.

Ghouls just want to have fun.

During an October 2022 episode of The View, while discussing a woman who claimed her home was haunted by “sexual ghosts,” Sara Haines posed a surprising question to her co-hosts: “Is it possible to get pregnant from a ghost?”

Luckily, Joy Behar, her co-host, chimed in with a humorous response: “I’ve had encounters with ghosts and never gotten pregnant.”

“I’m going to leave that statement as is,” Whoopi Goldberg responded. “I’m not sure everyone heard what Joy said, but I’m not going to comment on it further.”

Jenna Bush Hager and Hoda Kotb are very close friends, but Hoda recently learned something surprising about Jenna. While preparing for an episode of Today with Hoda and Jenna, Hoda found out that Jenna never wears underwear.

Hoda Kotb shared a funny story from November 2022 on Today with Hoda and Jenna about having to run back to the dressing room before the show. She realized Jenna Bush Hager doesn’t wear underwear.

Jenna’s rationale? Well, no underwear might just be more convenient to her.

She explained that the outfit created a more flattering shape and was also easier to pack. She felt there were many benefits to choosing it.

Looks like someone hasn’t been keeping up.

Britney Spears related to a popular line from Keke Palmer – “He could be walking down the street, I wouldn’t know a thing” – and confessed she wasn’t familiar with Pete Davidson or Scott Disick.

Britney shared a funny video from March showing Pete Davidson—who was dating Kim Kardashian at the time—and Kourtney Kardashian’s ex, Scott Disick, having a night out. She said the video had her laughing a lot.

Britney apologized for sharing a video, explaining she didn’t know the people in it but found it hilarious. She has since removed the post.

Before Chris Evans became famous as Captain America and was named People’s Sexiest Man Alive in 2022, Jana Kramer dated him and thought he was a charming and attractive guy.

The singer shared on her podcast, Whine Down with Jana Kramer, that this happened over ten years ago. While she doesn’t remember exactly how many times they went out, she does remember their final meeting.

Jana, who was around 26 at the time, said Chris asked her to come over when he had some friends visiting from Boston.

Jana recalled that the last thing she remembered was her partner going to the bathroom right after she’d eaten asparagus, which makes urine smell unusual. They didn’t spend the night together. He stayed up late with friends, and the next morning, Jana left his house feeling embarrassed – what she jokingly called the ‘asparagus walk of shame’.

She added, “I never heard from him again.”

Not all of these confessions are amusing.

In December, television writer Elisabeth Finch confessed that she had fabricated a story about having a rare bone cancer. She originally shared this false diagnosis with ELLE magazine eight years prior, and it even became the basis for a plotline on Grey’s Anatomy.

Elisabeth recently revealed to The Ankler newsletter that a lie she told at age 34 was the biggest regret of her life. She explained that the lie grew over time and became increasingly difficult to confront, and she also clarified that she has never been diagnosed with cancer.

Finch, who was temporarily removed from his role on the ABC medical show before ultimately quitting, admitted, “I messed up badly. It was completely unacceptable, and I take full responsibility.”

Beauty is pain, but Kim Kardashian might be able to stomach it.

The reality star told The New York Times she’d try almost anything to look younger.

She admitted in June that she’d even consider something drastic – like eating something truly unpleasant every day – if it meant she could look younger. She said she was seriously considering it.

In a July 2022 interview with Allure magazine, Kim explained she was mostly kidding when she made the comment, but admitted it wasn’t a completely awful idea.

Kim thought for a moment and then said, ‘Honestly, I’d probably eat something awful if someone promised it would make me look younger – even if it meant eating a bowl of poop every day.’

She wasn’t sure how much she could eat. “Perhaps just a small bite,” she said. “I definitely couldn’t manage a full bowl.”

Jelly Roll could’ve used some saving from himself.

During an April 2025 interview on The Jennifer Hudson Show, the singer of “Save Me” shared a truly embarrassing story, and didn’t hesitate to tell all the details.

“I pooped myself one time,” he admitted. “I did, I’m sorry.”

To be honest, Jelly Roll (whose real name is Jason Bradley DeFord) didn’t intend to cause such serious harm.

He firmly believed it was just a misunderstanding. “I sincerely apologize,” he said. “I saw the audience turn from supportive to completely against me.”

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2026-01-28 23:21