Alan Rickman’s Widow Says He Had “More to Give” After His Death

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Rima Horton is looking back at a devastating chapter in her life.

Ten years after Alan Rickman passed away from pancreatic cancer at the age of 69, his wife has been sharing her thoughts on the anniversary of his death.

“He still had so much life to live and so many things he wanted to do,” Rima said on BBC Breakfast on January 27, according to The Daily Mail. She explained that while chemotherapy helped Alan live for another six months after his diagnosis, it wasn’t a cure.

Now 78 years old, she married the Harry Potter actor in 2012 after being together for almost 40 years. Since then, she’s become a strong voice for pancreatic cancer awareness. To raise money, she’s holding a raffle for a set of seven Harry Potter books, all signed by 12 of his fellow actors, including Rupert Grint, Helena Bonham Carter, and Ralph Fiennes.

The item was exactly what was needed, according to a retired Kingston University professor who joined the board of Pancreatic Cancer UK in 2021.

In a recent interview with The Times published on January 14th, she described Snape as a compelling character and noted that the Harry Potter series held significance for Alan.

Rima recalled how the Love Actually alumnavigated the shocking diagnosis with a level head.

She remembered his first words to the doctor were, ‘I don’t want to suffer,’ and the medical team honored that wish. He also wanted to have time to say goodbye to his friends and be in charge of his final arrangements, so he planned his own funeral to ensure everything went smoothly.

At first, we only told our families,” she said. “Alan didn’t want anyone to pity him.”

Even though the doctors didn’t think chemotherapy would help, the couple decided to try it anyway.

Rima explained they already knew the cancer had fully developed and was spreading. While they understood chemotherapy likely wouldn’t be effective, she admitted they still held onto hope, thinking they might be the rare case where it actually worked.

For more celebrities who’ve shared insight into cancer battles, keep reading.

The former All My Children actor revealed in January 2025 that he has prostate cancer, making this his third time battling the disease.

Even after receiving difficult news, he happily shared in February 2025 that his cancer was gone, thanks to successful surgery and treatment – this was the third time he’d announced this positive outcome.

In a February 2025 Instagram post, he reminded his followers that difficult times don’t define who they are. He shared that everyone is capable of more than their struggles, and that while he doesn’t identify with his fears, anxieties, or past hurts, he accepts them as part of his journey, believing that acknowledging these things is the key to healing and growth.

As a lifestyle expert, I was so saddened to learn that Gerry Turner, from the first season of The Golden Bachelor, shared some personal health news in December 2024. He revealed he’s been diagnosed with Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia, which is a type of bone cancer. Sending him all my best wishes and hoping for a smooth journey ahead.

Gerry told People magazine that there’s no cure for the condition, and it deeply affects every choice he makes. He described feeling completely overwhelmed when he first learned about it, like a huge weight had fallen on him, and admitted he initially struggled to accept the diagnosis.

The actor, famous for his work in The Boys and Supernatural, announced on February 3, 2023, that he had successfully fought prostate cancer and was now cancer-free after years of battling the disease.

The Vanderpump Rules star shared with fans at the end of 2018 that she had some cancerous tissue removed and underwent biopsies of her lymph nodes. She happily reported that she was now cancer-free.

In September 2018, the actress known for Desperate Housewives publicly shared that she had beaten anal cancer. She posted on Instagram that revealing her diagnosis and hair loss made her feel incredibly relieved, free, and authentically herself.

Two-time Oscar winner Philip Seymour Hoffman successfully completed cancer treatment, and his representative confirmed to TopMob News that doctors declared him cured after surgery.

Hugh Jackman, known for his role in X-Men, received treatment for his third case of basal cell carcinoma in 2014. His representative later confirmed to TopMob News that he has fully recovered.

In April 2023, Hugh received two biopsies after discovering more basal cell carcinoma. He used the opportunity to remind his fans in the northern hemisphere to protect their skin by wearing sunscreen as summer approached.

The former star of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills marked a year of being cancer-free in January. She was diagnosed with endometrial cancer in 2013 and had a full hysterectomy as treatment.

Then in 2017, Camille had surgery to remove Squamous Cell Carcinoma, a type of skin cancer. 

The celebrity chef from Britain revealed he had skin cancer treated with a procedure, sharing photos of the stitches – a line from below his ear to his jaw – which he later covered with a bandage.

Gordon shared on Instagram in August 2025 that he was thankful for the amazing team at The Skin Associates who quickly removed his Basal Cell Carcinoma. He also reminded everyone to wear sunscreen this weekend.

“I promise you it’s not a face lift,” he added. “I’d need a refund…”

The actress known for her role in Avengers: Age of Ultron fought ovarian cancer at 25 and later happily welcomed two children with her husband, Taran Killam.

A television personality announced he had surgery for prostate cancer in July 2013 and has been cancer-free ever since.

I was so relieved to hear that the Dancing with the Stars cohost had successful surgery for thyroid cancer! She’s a mom of four, and she even took to Twitter to let us all know she’s home, recovering and resting. It just makes you so happy to see her doing well after everything!

The actress excitedly shared on Twitter that her doctor called her on a Saturday morning with amazing news: she was cancer-free! She celebrated with a joyful post, exclaiming, “#wootothemotherfkinhoo!”

After undergoing treatment and a double mastectomy, the star of Up All Night received a clean bill of health and is now cancer-free.

The Dexter star used a hiatus from his hit series to slay Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

In October 2011, the Australian actress shared that doctors had removed a cancerous mole from her calf. She said her husband encouraged her to get it checked when he noticed it looked suspicious.

The man from Scotland is doing well and enjoying his hobby of trainspotting again after successfully having a cancerous mole removed from under his right eye.

The singer beat breast cancer in 2004 with a “minimally invasive” lumpectomy and radiation therapy.

The Oscar winner declared in early 2011 that his tumor was gone and he had throat cancer “beat.”

The Emmy winner whacked breast cancer in 2004.

After having a cancerous growth removed from under his left eye in 2008, the CNN journalist almost certainly protects his skin with sunscreen when he’s outside.

The Australian pop star underwent successful surgery for breast cancer in 2005.

The actor best known for his role in 7th Heaven was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma at just 28 years old. Now 50, he’s doing well and appears healthy!

The popular actress from ER stepped away from her role on Parenthood in 2009 to battle breast cancer, but thankfully her treatment worked and she quickly returned to public events.

The America’s Got Talent judge received a colon cancer diagnosis in 2002 while filming The Osbournes. She used this experience to highlight how important regular check-ups are and bravely fought the disease with chemotherapy. Thankfully, she was given a clean bill of health the next year.

I’ll never forget when Jack Palance beat prostate cancer back in 2003 – it was incredible! And honestly, the man was a machine after that, appearing in roughly 400 films! He was a true legend.

In 2007, the Good Morning America cohost bravely showed off her shaved head while receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer.

After overcoming a battle with stage-four testicular cancer, the cyclist went on to win an incredible seven consecutive Tour de France championships.

After successfully battling breast cancer with a lumpectomy and chemotherapy in 2005, the Grammy and Oscar-winning artist became a dedicated advocate for others.

The comedian, known for her work on Saturday Night Live, bravely used her experience with breast cancer as inspiration for her comedy. This led to God Said Ha!, a highly successful one-woman show that eventually played on Broadway.

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2026-01-28 00:18