Pier Angeli | Barbiturate Overdose Death

Pier Angeli was an Italian model, singer, and actress with an extensive filmography including American and European films and TV shows. Despite her global success, the Italian actress struggled with mental health issues and died from a barbiturate overdose.

How Pier Angeli Died

Pier Angeli presumably died by suicide of a barbiturate overdose on September 1971 at her home in Beverly Hills at the age of 39.

Her body was taken back to Europe, where she was interred at the Cimetière des Bulvis in Rueil-Malmaison, Hauts-de-Seine, France.

About Pier Angeli

Born Anna Maria Pierangeli on June 19, 1932, in Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy, she later adopted “Pier Angeli” as her stage name. 

Angeli was born with a twin sister, actress Marisa Pavan. Born to parents Enrichetta and Luigi Pierangeli, the family experienced World War II in Rome during the Nazi occupation. During this time, the family suffered through shortages of food and lived in bomb shelters.

Angeli’s acting career began in 1950 with Vittorio De Sica’s Italian film, Domani è troppo tardi. Producers from Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer (MGM) offered the Italian actress a contract. In Teresa, she played the title role which would later win her a Golden Globe Award.

Filmography

Angeli’s filmography consists of:

• Somebody Up There Likes Me
• The Light Touch (co-starring Stewart Granger)
• S.O.S. Pacific
• Flame and the Flesh
• Tomorrow is Too Late
• The Story of Three Loves
• White Slave Ship
• Sodom and Gomorrah
• The Angry Silence (co-starring Richard Attenborough)
• The Devil Makes Three
• The Silver Chalice (co-starring Paul Newman)
• Octaman
• Port Afrique
• Sombrero
• The Vintage
• East of Eden (co-starring with James Dean)
• Musketeers of the Sea
• Battle of the Bulge
• Merry Andrew
• Teresa (co-starring John Ericson)

Relationships

Angeli had several relationships throughout her life. She married Vic Damone from 1954-1958 and they had one son, Perry. Angeli later married composer Armando Trovajoli from 1962-1969.

Other prominent Hollywood stars Angeli developed relationships with include costars Kirk Douglas and James Dean. Angeli suffered in her personal life due to the loss of James Dean when he died in a motor vehicle accident and the experiences she had as a child during the war.

In the early 1970s, she moved to California, briefly staying with Debbie Reynolds in Beverly Hills.

Pier Angeli’s History Of Substance Abuse & Rehab

Although there is a lack of evidence linking Angeli to drug abuse during her life, it is possible she turned to drugs as a way to cope with the death of James Dean and the loss of relationships in her life. Some believe she died by suicide due to her lack of drug use.

Unfortunately, there are no known instances of Pier Angeli seeking mental health or addiction treatment at a rehabilitation center.

Recovery Is Possible

If you or a loved one are struggling with mental health issues or substance abuse, recovery is possible. At our treatment center, we provide inpatient and outpatient options, therapy, and aftercare services.

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