Vanessa Williams mourns mother Helen at the age of 85

Vanessa Williams honors her mother, Helenafter she died at the age of 85.

“On December 28th, the world lost a powerhouse, a dynamo and a force of nature packed into a 5-foot frame,” the 61-year-old actress wrote via Instagram on Thursday, January 2. “Our mother Helen Williams, known to many as Gaga, took her final bow in London, 20 days after celebrating her 85th birthday with her family and friends.”

She added: “It’s impossible to describe what she meant to everyone because everyone saw a different facet of her.” A loyal friend to many, an icy stare to a select few. We will miss everything.”

Williams further revealed that her mother’s cause of death was “complications of acute liver failure.”

Helen saw her daughter’s appearance in The devil wears Prada Musical shortly before her death. Williams plays Miranda Priestly in the London stage adaptation, a role made famous by Meryl Streep in the 2006 film.

“She had recently traveled to London for the premiere of The Devil Wears Prada – The Musical in the West End and to celebrate her 85th birthday with 150 of her family and friends,” Williams added in her statement. “During her visit she suffered a significant deterioration in her health which ended her life.”

Helen leaves these behind Ugly Betty alum, as well as son Christopher57, and several grandchildren. Her husband died before her, Miltonwho died in 2006 after a battle with pancreatitis.

It was later announced that Williams would no longer appear at Selection The devil wears Prada shows later this month.

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“Due to a sudden loss in her family, Vanessa Williams will not be performing from Wednesday January 8th to Wednesday January 15th,” read a statement on the show’s official social media page. “During this time, the role will be played by Miranda Priestly Debbie Kurup. Vanessa will return The The devil wears Prada from Thursday, January 16th.”

Williams re-shared the casting news via her Instagram Story on Friday, January 3.

Williams was particularly close to her mother, and the pair co-wrote the 2012 memoir You Have No Idea: A famous daughter, her no-nonsense mother, and how they survived beauty pageants, Hollywood, love, loss (and each other).

“I had two parents and a family that always supported me. Support is very important and when they saw that I had a desire to pursue a career in the arts, I received the right training,” Williams said Forbes at the time. “I have danced all my life. I was a musician. I acted and went to musical theater. Through preparation, I gained the skills that will enable me to have a long career. Follow your dreams, but it’s also nice to have a family that supports your dreams instead of saying, ‘Get a real job.'”

Helen accompanied Williams to the interview and gushed that one of her fondest memories was attending her daughter’s Broadway debut in 1994, “because it was something she had always wanted to do her whole life.”