Women Images: Farrah Fawcett RIP

American Vogue July 1978 Cover

Photographer: Patrick Demarchelier
Makeup: Way Bandy
Hair: Garren
Fashion: Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture

Farrah Fawcett's death has touched me deeply. She was an American icon and a real beauty. Her warm smile and positive energy brought me a lot of happiness. Farrah was sick for a long time, and is no longer in pain. She is in a better place, and will be missed.

I can't believe I am crying at work....again. Her struggle with cancer, and passing remind me that life is not to be taken for granted. Live each day as if it is your last. Farrah Fawcett was 62 years old, the same age as my father. My father is a great man, and means the world to me. My heart goes out to Farrah, her father, Ryan O'Neal, her son, and everyone who was lucky enough to be loved by her.

Farrah's friends remember her:

In a statement confirming the tragic news, Ryan O'Neal says: "After a long and brave battle with cancer, our beloved Farrah has passed away. Although this is an extremely difficult time for her family and friends, we take comfort in the beautiful times that we shared with Farrah over the years and the knowledge that her life brought joy to so many people around the world."
He reveals Fawcett was awake and aware of her surroundings shortly before her death, telling People.com, "She now belongs to the angels. She's now with her mother and sister and her God. I loved her with all my heart. I will miss her so very, very much. She was in and out of consciousness. I talked to her all through the night. I told her how very much I loved her. She's in a better place now.

Fawcett's Charlie's Angels co-stars Jaclyn Smith, Kate Jackson and the actress who replaced her on the hit show, Cheryl Ladd, were among the first celebrities to remember the star. Smith commented, "She had courage and strength... Now she has peace as she rests with real angels." And Ladd told HollyScoop.com, "I'm terribly sad about Farrah's passing. She was incredibly brave, and God will be welcoming her with open arms."

"I will miss Farrah every day," commented Kate Jackson to PEOPLE. "She was a selfless person who loved her family and friends with all her heart, and what a big heart it was. Farrah showed immense courage and grace throughout her illness and was an inspiration to those around her. When I think of Farrah I will remember her kindness, her cutting dry wit and, of course, her beautiful smile."

Added Jackson, "Today when you think of Farrah remember her smiling, because that is exactly how she wanted to be remembered."

Playboy publisher Hugh Hefner called Fawcett, who died of cancer at age 62 Thursday morning, the "Marilyn Monroe of the 1970s" whose famous poster "defined what one thinks of as the All-American girl."

"Men fell in love with her and women wanted to look like her," says Hefner of his magazine's cover model. "She had a magic that never went away. She became a part of the pop culture.

Griffin O'Neal, son of Ryan, said, "I never looked at her as a 'star,' or a 'Charlie's Angel.' I looked at her always as this wonderful Southern Belle, a lady. I was fascinated by her. I loved her. She was the most gracious, wonderful person. I always wondered why she was around this family. 'Why are you here?' She was such a beautiful person. Especially in the latter days."

He went on to say, "It was incredible watching her battling to help [her son] Redmond. She had the patience of a giant. I'm so worried about my brother. What's he going to do without her? Farrah was part of my family. My heart is broken. I will miss her forever and ever. She was so kind and gracious."

Fawcett's former husband, Lee Majors, says, "She fought a tremendous battle against a terrible disease. She was an angel on earth and now an angel forever."

Hairstylist Jose Eber, who created Fawcett's famous blonde mane, says, "She was blessed with the most amazing hair anybody could have."

"Her hair had its own personality," he says. "In my business, doing hair for so long now, very rarely do you see a person who has hair with such perfection. And it was all natural."

Farrah Fawcett, Photo Francesco Scavullo