CNN reported Tuesday morning that famed and beloved child star/diplomat Shirley Temple Black passed away Monday night at her home at the age of 85. Her death was due to natural causes, and at the time of her death she was surrounded by friends and family in her home in Woodside, California.
Arguably the most popular child star in Hollywood film history, Temple Black also enjoyed a long career as an ambassador to foreign nations. As a child, her iconic curls and irrepressible smile charmed movie audiences for about 18 years, mainly during the 1930s. When her box office draw diminshed as she grew older, Temple Black took up diplomacy, serving in the U.S. delegation to the United Nations from 1969 to 1974 was U.S. ambassador to Ghana from 1974 to 1976, and U.S. ambassador to Czechoslovakia from 1989 to 1992.
Temple Black later received two lifetime achievement awards; she also successfully battled breast cancer in the 70s.
A guest book has been set up at ShirleyTemple.com.
