After suffering for decades with Multiple Sclerosis and its degenerating effects, Annette Funicello, child star of the Mickey Mouse Club and silver screen died from complications of her illness.

Funicello passed away at Mercy Southwest Hospital in Bakersfield, California at the age of 70.

Funicello’s career began at the age of 13, when she was selected by Walt Disney to become one of the original Mouseketeers for the 1950s variety show. Walt saw Funicello when she was performing in the lead of “Swan Lake” at the Starlight Bowl in Burbank and asked her to audition for his new show.

After leaving the show, Funicello continued on at Disney starring films such as “The Shaggy Dog”, “Babes in Toyland,” and “Zorro.” While still under contract with Disney, Funicello went over to American International Pictures and did multiple Beach Party pictures.

She found that she had problems with her balance when she returned to the screen with Frankie Avalon for the picture “Back to the Beach in 1987. She announced publicly that she had MS in 1992. By 1994, Funicello released her autobiography “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes: My Story.” She spoke candidly and very publicly about her illness. She played herself in the present tense when CBS turned her book into a movie in 1995.

Bob Iger, Chairman and CEO of Disney said, “Annette was and always will be a cherished member of the Disney family, synonymous with the word Mousketeer, and a true Disney Legend. She will forever hold a place in our hearts as one of Walt Disney’s brightest stars, delighting an entire generation of baby boomers with her jubilant personality and endless talent. Annette was well known for being as beautiful inside as she was on the outside, and she faced her physical challenges with dignity, bravery and grace. All of us at Disney join with family, friends, and fans around the world in celebrating her extraordinary life.”