What a truly tragic story. Lena was such a beautiful woman with a magnificent voice. One in a million. This should be on regular TV for more little girls to see.
she was so amazing should have been a bigger star than she was a fabulous singing voice she would have been doing west end shows RIP LENA 1963 - 1999 My cousin died from this terrible disease last year xxxxx
Her cousins loved her dearly. Such patience and understanding is rare, especially with an illness like this. They love each other also as they finish each other's sentences. 🥰
That Solomon woman comes across as so cold and unemotional. I have no doubt at all that she saw Lena as the goose that laid the golden egg, nothing more. The fact she also stated that 'children were never in her plan' says it all. I cannot see her being any kind of real motherly support for poor Lena. The poor girl never stood a chance with people like THAT around her. RIP Beautiful Lena.
I disagree. She was obviously upset and said it how it was. Do remember the family let Lena move away, also Lena’s mum had serious mental health problems and committed suicide. Lena wanted to work and singing was her enjoyment in life. Sadly inherited psychological problems would affect her. In a biography Lena describes the time with the Solomons as fantastic and she loved it. The Solomons suggested she join the Italia coati school to be with people of her own age. The cousin says Lena should have been socialising with her peers - and she did but her career came first- for her. Where was she?
Things couldn't have been worse for her. A devastating illness, a loveless marriage, her mother had killed herself, her career was over with no idea as to what she would do for the rest of her life. Could anyone have helped her? I doubt it
And also, back in the 70’s and 80’s, nobody had any idea how to deal with eating disorders like anorexia. It was just very misunderstood at the time. Poor girl just wanted to sing and make people happy, and it all came crashing down for her at the end.
I think that she was seriously exploited from a very young age. She was put on stage, on a TV talent show that exposed her to the world of entertainment, she was allowed to leave her home at a very young age with people who she didn't even know well, never mind have a loving, relationship with, which is just terrible. They could have done anything to her and with her, and they did. How awful to be given away like this, solely to entertain the world. She should have been protected and nurtured.
I hope you are in a better place now 🙏. I had this godawful illness back in 81, around the same time as Lena. I was lucky as I recovered. Anorexia is a sort of club you don't want to be a member of.
@ scans4uni - she meant that everything she saw in the world seemed "static", grey, and flat. Just lifeless. Whether that was the sun in the sky or the birds flying by in the sky.
Her agent Dorothy Solomon has alot to answer for for Lena's tragic life. She forced Lena to diet, worked her to the ground and exploited her terribly. Lena was such a gentle soul and so fragile, mentally and physically. RIP Lena xxx
Bi-polar is a mental condition. It is a very serious condition that is characterized by extreme mood swings in a person from mania to depression. When Lena's cousins were talking about how she would stay up all night - despite sleeping pills - that is what sounded like she might be bi-polar.
So sad. I had the same illness at the same time but somehow I recovered , though it took several years..She was the same age as me and died twenty years ago.
I, too, remember seeing her on Johnny Carson when she was just a wee lass - I was only a couple of years older than she and I was so envious of her talent. I think the poor girl was bi-polar.
Anorexia is about denial of self; a slow suicide. The question therefor is - why ? Why would anyone deny themselves; deny their body ? As anorexia is about denying the body and life itself. I would wager that something truly terrible happened to her. Who was she left alone with ? Who was she surrounded by ? What types ? Think about it, join the dots, she was in the company of Jimmy Saville and his ilk. A desperate tragedy. She had the making of a Barbara Streisand.
My dear friends it is a fine Val between this world and the next that young lady was dying that was the static she was seeing she is fine now and her mother is weather and yes she is still singing bless you why I know this because I am a near death experience
2:22-2:28 so, in the mind of this therapist, the failure of Lena's marriage was due to her not experiencing a revolving door of sexual partners, and multiple failed relationships?!
5:51 If only she had actually understood what that passage means and taken it to heart. They thing is she was such a lovely young woman when her weight was normal. Only 36. I never heard of Lena until yesterday bouncing around YT. SO sad. I don't know why people don't seek help. She sang a Karen Carpenter song in another video, Karen passed away from the exact same thing, I just searched, in 1983. I believe she was the entertainer who's story brought to light the struggles of Anorexia to the public in a very dramatic fashion. There was even a TV movie about it in 1989 I watched part of it on YT. How could Lena not know about it?
Victor should have been having a word with the member of the family who it was that wrote into Opportunity Knocks. I mean did anyone ever think to ask Lena if that was what she wanted to do? It strikes me as the poor girl was pulled and pushed from pillar to post without much say, freedom or any real time to herself or with anyone her own age group after she moved away from the Scottish island that had been her home for many years.
Okay, as someone who struggled with a severe anorexia, I can understand that there would have been points when I would have been absolutely horrid to live with. However, she was so terribly thin in both that picture at the beach with Peter and her wedding pictures - unless they make wedding dresses in children's sizes, I really don't know how she found one that fit - that it seems almost ridiculous that her fiance didn't know what he was getting into. I wish he had been interviewed.
Why did no one help her more? I’m appalled really with how even Dorothy Solomon never helped her or really bothered and even as an agent she must of noticed more throughly maybe about how she looked towards the end ? It isn’t just about music the agent should have perhaps supported more And the mother drinking and commiting suicide I mean why? By Jo Sherlock how do you do it? I mean come on Dorothy wake up couldn’t you see what was wrong with her?
4:41 OMG how dreadfully frail Lena is..I wish she hadn't been allowed to go on television and perform like that. who thought that was a good idea??. Good Lord😔
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this is one of the saddest stories ever, and this documentary sure makes it that much sadder. a very well-done piece though. Poor Lena!
What a truly tragic story. Lena was such a beautiful woman with a magnificent voice. One in a million. This should be on regular TV for more little girls to see.
she was so amazing should have been a bigger star than she was a fabulous singing voice she would have been doing west end shows RIP LENA 1963 - 1999
My cousin died from this terrible disease last year xxxxx
MsFanmail some people don't like food
Her cousins loved her dearly. Such patience and understanding is rare, especially with an illness like this. They love each other also as they finish each other's sentences. 🥰
thank you for sharing this story!
That Solomon woman comes across as so cold and unemotional. I have no doubt at all that she saw Lena as the goose that laid the golden egg, nothing more. The fact she also stated that 'children were never in her plan' says it all. I cannot see her being any kind of real motherly support for poor Lena. The poor girl never stood a chance with people like THAT around her. RIP Beautiful Lena.
I disagree. She was obviously upset and said it how it was. Do remember the family let Lena move away, also Lena’s mum had serious mental health problems and committed suicide. Lena wanted to work and singing was her enjoyment in life. Sadly inherited psychological problems would affect her. In a biography Lena describes the time with the Solomons as fantastic and she loved it. The Solomons suggested she join the Italia coati school to be with people of her own age. The cousin says Lena should have been socialising with her peers - and she did but her career came first- for her. Where was she?
Damn eating disorders. They are completely soul destroying.
Her story is so sad.
RIP Lena
Things couldn't have been worse for her. A devastating illness, a loveless marriage, her mother had killed herself, her career was over with no idea as to what she would do for the rest of her life.
Could anyone have helped her? I doubt it
And also, back in the 70’s and 80’s, nobody had any idea how to deal with eating disorders like anorexia. It was just very misunderstood at the time.
Poor girl just wanted to sing and make people happy, and it all came crashing down for her at the end.
Just love her music, godbless her,,, x
Dorothy Solomon is one scary witch
Someone so beautiful and talented ,what a rotten way to go .
738polarbear it always happens to talented people.
@@nicholalaw1183 true,karen carpenter is another typical example
I think that she was seriously exploited from a very young age. She was put on stage, on a TV talent show that exposed her to the world of entertainment, she was allowed to leave her home at a very young age with people who she didn't even know well, never mind have a loving, relationship with, which is just terrible. They could have done anything to her and with her, and they did. How awful to be given away like this, solely to entertain the world. She should have been protected and nurtured.
she read the serenity prayer, :(
these two people seem to have loved ehr like their child. avtually feel for her father, man at loss
I went through it. It took me 7 yrs too come out of it.
I hope you are in a better place now 🙏. I had this godawful illness back in 81, around the same time as Lena. I was lucky as I recovered. Anorexia is a sort of club you don't want to be a member of.
Lena is at peace now 🙏
@ scans4uni - she meant that everything she saw in the world seemed "static", grey, and flat. Just lifeless. Whether that was the sun in the sky or the birds flying by in the sky.
The parents were careless, too. Sending her into show business at such a young age without them was incredibly unwise.
Her agent Dorothy Solomon has alot to answer for for Lena's tragic life. She forced Lena to diet, worked her to the ground and exploited her terribly. Lena was such a gentle soul and so fragile, mentally and physically. RIP Lena xxx
Nonsense - Lena had a family remember and a mum with mental health problems
Bi-polar is a mental condition. It is a very serious condition that is characterized by extreme mood swings in a person from mania to depression. When Lena's cousins were talking about how she would stay up all night - despite sleeping pills - that is what sounded like she might be bi-polar.
I think her agent did not look after her. She let her down. Beautiful girl/woman gone to soon.
So sad...
Lena was a unique talent. Gone to soon, destroyed by stardom and those around her! What a tragic ending, Rip Angelx
6:23 my word, what this disease does to a person - just destroyed everything that once resembled her!
So sad to see. Beautiful talented lady. I think you can see she's shaking when singing at around 5.00. :(
terrible shame god love her x
So sad. I had the same illness at the same time but somehow I recovered , though it took several years..She was the same age as me and died twenty years ago.
I, too, remember seeing her on Johnny Carson when she was just a wee lass - I was only a couple of years older than she and I was so envious of her talent. I think the poor girl was bi-polar.
Anorexia is about denial of self; a slow suicide. The question therefor is - why ? Why would anyone deny themselves; deny their body ? As anorexia is about denying the body and life itself. I would wager that something truly terrible happened to her. Who was she left alone with ? Who was she surrounded by ? What types ? Think about it, join the dots, she was in the company of Jimmy Saville and his ilk. A desperate tragedy. She had the making of a Barbara Streisand.
77777aol Yes. I've wondered that too. Poor girl.
My dear friends it is a fine Val between this world and the next that young lady was dying that was the static she was seeing she is fine now and her mother is weather and yes she is still singing bless you why I know this because I am a near death experience
Thank you!
2:22-2:28 so, in the mind of this therapist, the failure of Lena's marriage was due to her not experiencing a revolving door of sexual partners, and multiple failed relationships?!
Exactly- what a ridiculous thing to say
5:51 If only she had actually understood what that passage means and taken it to heart. They thing is she was such a lovely young woman when her weight was normal. Only 36. I never heard of Lena until yesterday bouncing around YT. SO sad. I don't know why people don't seek help. She sang a Karen Carpenter song in another video, Karen passed away from the exact same thing, I just searched, in 1983. I believe she was the entertainer who's story brought to light the struggles of Anorexia to the public in a very dramatic fashion. There was even a TV movie about it in 1989 I watched part of it on YT. How could Lena not know about it?
Victor should have been having a word with the member of the family who it was that wrote into Opportunity Knocks.
I mean did anyone ever think to ask Lena if that was what she wanted to do?
It strikes me as the poor girl was pulled and pushed from pillar to post without much say, freedom or any real time to herself or with anyone her own age group after she moved away from the Scottish island that had been her home for many years.
Okay, as someone who struggled with a severe anorexia, I can understand that there would have been points when I would have been absolutely horrid to live with. However, she was so terribly thin in both that picture at the beach with Peter and her wedding pictures - unless they make wedding dresses in children's sizes, I really don't know how she found one that fit - that it seems almost ridiculous that her fiance didn't know what he was getting into. I wish he had been interviewed.
That Solomon was bad news for lena
lovely look at 1:53 very gr8 popmentary
rip dear Lena
patmix (:
I het the impression that she never really grew up....she stayed childlike.....
The narrator mentioned lena was 27 in 1993 according to Wikipedia lena was born in 1963 this would make her 30 years old
She was very frightened
She worked hard yet on benefits Yet another child whose earnings were taken by others Her cold manager did not look hard up
Her Father is just not normal. Something missing there ... JC
Depression 😪
Her manager was only thinking of money! She didn’t come across well….
That manager didn’t help Lena in fact I think she contributed to her illness
That's horrible ☹️
Lena didn’t have a chance really- mum had mental health problems that she passed to her daughter.
God got me better though
4:01
Why is this part no longer available. Quite annoying! Could anyone re post it please!
Why did no one help her more?
I’m appalled really with how even Dorothy Solomon never helped her or really bothered and even as an agent she must of noticed more throughly maybe about how she looked towards the end ?
It isn’t just about music the agent should have perhaps supported more
And the mother drinking and commiting suicide I mean why?
By Jo Sherlock how do you do it?
I mean come on Dorothy wake up couldn’t you see what was wrong with her?
4:41 OMG how dreadfully frail Lena is..I wish she hadn't been allowed to go on television and perform like that. who thought that was a good idea??. Good Lord😔
I'm better now.
the one with the bikkini? yes
ohh my God!!! she looks terrible!!!!!
Why are these words being said to a anorexia when it is a alchoholic that you would say that .
That's worse🙄
Withdraw 🤐