Donna Pfeiffer: What Happened To Michelle Pfeiffer's Mother?

Donna Pfeiffer is the mother of American actress Michelle Pfeiffer. Donna’s daughter Michelle Pfeiffer has been able to establish herself as one of the highest-paid actresses of the 1990s. Her screen career spans over four decades. She became one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars during the 1980s and 1990s and one of the era’s most popular sex symbols. She has been awarded a motion picture star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Donna Pfeiffer: Bio Summary

NameDonna Pfeiffer
Date of birth20 August 1932
Died17 April 2018 (aged 85)
Famous asMichelle Pfeiffer’s mother
BirthplaceNorth Dakota, USA
ParentsJacob Bernhard Taverna and Delma Lillian Hill Taverna
SpouseRichard Pfeiffer
ChildrenMichelle Pfeiffer, Rick Pfeiffer, Lori Pfeiffer, and Dedee Pfeiffer
OccupationHousewife

Who Is Michelle Pfeiffer’s Mother, Donna?

Donna Jean (née Taverna) was born on 20 August 1932, in New Rockford, Eddy County, North Dakota, USA to Jacob Bernhard Taverna and Delma Lillian Hill Taverna. Her father was of Swiss-German-Italian descent and her mother was of Swedish ancestry. She has a brother called Neil Taverna and a sister called Diane Ziegler. There isn’t much available about her life as a child and her family history.

Donna Pfeiffer was married to Richard Pfeiffer (1933–1998), an air-conditioning contractor. Just like Donna, Richard was originally from North Dakota. Donna became a housewife. She and Richard Pfeiffer produced four children: Rick Pfeiffer (b. 1955), Michelle Marie Pfeiffer (b. 1958), Dorothy Diane “Dedee” Pfeiffer (b. 1964), and Lori Pfeiffer (b. 1965). Their children are now adults and living their own lives. Michelle, Dedee, and Lori are actresses.

According to Michelle’s IMDb profile, her sisters Dedee Pfeiffer, and Lori Pfeiffer both ‘dabbled in acting and modeling but decided against making it their lives’ work.’ Michelle worked as a check-out girl at Vons supermarket. She later decided to pursue an acting career. She became the winner of the Miss Orange County beauty pageant in 1978, and participated in the Miss California contest that same year, finishing in sixth place.

ALSO READ: Lori Pfeiffer: Facts About Michelle Pfeiffer’s sister

Michelle Pfeiffer acquired an acting agent and started to audition for television and films. She had minor television and film appearances at the beginning of her career. She landed her acting debut in 1978, in a one-episode appearance on Fantasy Island. She got other roles on television series including Delta House, CHiPs, Enos, and B.A.D. Cats, as well as in the made-for-CBS film The Solitary Man (1979).

Michelle Pfeiffer was given her first major film role as the female lead in Grease 2 (1982), the sequel to the smash-hit musical film Grease (1978). She has earned the spot of one of Hollywood’s most successful and finest actresses. She has received various accolades, including a Golden Globe Award and a British Academy Film Award, in addition to nominations for three Academy Awards and a Primetime Emmy Award.

What Happened To Michelle Pfeiffer’s Mother?

Michelle Pfeiffer’s mother Donna Pfeiffer took her last breath on 17 April 2018, at age 85. She died peacefully at home surrounded by her family in Los Angeles, CA. According to Findagrave, she was Cremated. Michelle Pfeiffer has revealed that even though she and her siblings have lost their mother, they ‘miss her every day.’

On what would have been Donna’s birthday, Michelle penned a tribute on Instagram to her mother. Michelle Pfeiffer shared a photo of herself as a baby sitting on Donna’s lap. She wrote: Donna Jean Pfeiffer. Today is her birthday. You left us so long ago and how is it possible that I miss you more with each new year that passes? That’s the way love is❣️RIP mom.

Michelle Pfeiffer shared a photo of Donna and her Instagram handle, honoring her mom on #InternationalWomensDay. She wrote the caption: My mom. Born Donna Jean Taverna. 2 1/2 pounds. Her crib was a cigar box. Midwife set her aside and said she wouldn’t live. She was tiny, but a fighter, and she survived. She didn’t have the most independent life, but made sure that I did. Wicked smart and resilient. A beauty in every way. I honor you today.

ALSO READ: Richard Pfeiffer: How Did Michelle Pfeiffer’s Father Die?

Donna Pfeiffer was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Pfeiffer. Donna’s husband Richard died on 21 December 1998, in California, USA, at the age of 65 years. The cause of his death is unknown.

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