Sad news… Probably the Internet’s most famous cat, whose grumpiness brought joy to the whole world, the Grumpy Cat has died last Tuesday (on May 14, 2019). She was only seven years old.
She was born on April 4, 2012. Her real name was Tardar Sauce and she had feline dwarfism and an underbite. These probably accounted for her distinctive (and adorably cute) facial features. But, despite her look, in fact, she wasn’t really grumpy. According to her family, “she was a super cute and cuddly kitty and always loved to be held and rubbed”.
On September 23, 2012, she became an Internet celebrity (and probably the most famous cat in the world), when Tabatha’s brother Bryan posted her most distinctive photo on Reddit, a website where people share links to articles, media and other things on the web. She was only five months old back then.
She quickly became a cultural phenomenon that far exceeded the Internet. She appeared on many talk shows, drew crowds at SXSW, and appeared in promotions for the popular cat food brands Cheerios and Friskies.
She even beat out “Gangnam Style” and the “Harlem Shake” to win Meme of the Year at the Webby Awards in 2013.
She also sparked a book, Grumpy Cat: A Grumpy Book, and a comic book, The Misadventures of Grumpy Cat and Pokey. She also starred in her own Lifetime movie, Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas Ever, which aired in 2014.
Her family said the seven-year-old cat has died after complications from an aggressive urinary tract infection on last Tuesday (May 14, 2019).
Thanks for all the laughs, cutie pie. You will be missed.
The family of Grumpy Cat: “Some days are grumpier than the others”
The family of Grumpy Cat has published a tweet on May 17, 2019, saying “some days are grumpier than the others…”
“We are unimaginably heartbroken to announce the loss of our beloved Grumpy Cat.
“Despite care from top professionals as well as from, her very loving family, Grumpy encountered complications from a recent urinary tract infection that unfortunately became too tough for her to overcome. She passed away peacefully on the morning of Tuesday, May 14, at home in the arms of her mommy, Tabatha.“
“Besides being our baby and a cherished member of the family, Grumpy Cat has helped millions of people smile all around the world-even when times were tough.“
“Her spirit will continue to live on through her fans everywhere.“
“Grumpy’s family – Tabatha Bryan and Chyrstal”
Sources
- Grumpy Cat dies aged seven: ‘Some days are grumpier than others’ on The Guardian
- Grumpy Cat dies at the age of seven on Engadget
- “Grumpy Cat, whose grumpiness brought joy to the internet, has died” on The Verge
- “Grumpy Cat, the grouchy-faced furball that launched a thousand memes, is dead” on the CNN website