Farrah Fawcett, First Among Angels, Has Died

Iconic 1970s TV star loses two-year battle with cancer; she was 62

The 1970s did not lack for sex symbols. That, the ubiquitous Farrah Fawcett poster made sure of.

Fawcett, the feather-haired founding member of TV's Charlie's Angels and pin-up icon whose second act was marked by bids to showcase her acting chops and whose third act was marred by on- and off-screen problems, died today in a Los Angeles hospital Thursday morning, some two-and-a-half years after being diagnosed with colorectal cancer. She was 62.

Family and close friends were said to have gathered at St. John's Heath Center in recent days as her condition deteriorated.

In an interview to air Friday on 20/20, Ryan O'Neal said he'd proposed to the ailing Fawcett, and that she'd accepted. The Love Story actor was certain the longtime unmarrieds would—finally—tie the knot.

"We will, as soon as she can say yes," O'Neal said. "Maybe we can just nod her head."

Fawcett, who in recent months had stopped receiving cancer treatment, talked frankly about her battle in Farrah's Story, a raw, camcorder-shot documentary that aired in May on NBC.

"I know that everyone will die eventually, but I do not want to die of this disease," Fawcett said in the film.

"I want to stay alive."

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