‘We Bonded': Olivia Munn Recalls Becoming ‘...

Olivia Munn is paying tribute to the late Shannen Doherty, with whom she bonded recently over their shared experiences with breast cancer

Published Time: 14.07.2024 - 20:31:18 Modified Time: 14.07.2024 - 20:31:18

Olivia Munn is paying tribute to the late Shannen Doherty, with whom she bonded recently over their shared experiences with breast cancer.

On Sunday, July 14, Munn shared a lengthy statement on her Instagram Stories as she reacted to the news of Doherty's death at 53 after several years of living with cancer.

"I am absolutely heartbroken over the passing of Shannen Doherty. When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer I remembered how she bravely let the world into her journey and reached out to her," Munn, 44, began, reflecting on her own struggle with breast cancer, which she revealed in March. "We became instant friends – which I honestly couldn't comprehend at times because watching her on 90210 was everything to me when I was 10."

Munn said she and Doherty bonded both over their "shared battle" and their mutual desire to "help other women," as both actresses were vocal with their fans about staying vigilant when it comes to breast cancer.

"Looking back on the last text she sent me just a couple months ago, she asked how I was doing and if she could do anything for me.... True to form, Shannen was offering her support even though she was in the final stages of fighting this horrific disease," Munn, who had a double mastectomy after she was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer last year, continued.

"Cancer is really f---ing scary and Shannen faced it with -

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such dignity, strength and grace. I'm sending all my love to her mother who was her best friend, hero and champion every step of the way."

"Fly so high, my friend 💔💔💔💔," the actress concluded her statement.

Munn – who married comedian John Mulaney in an intimate ceremony last weekend — also reposted a video of one of Doherty's final PEOPLE interviews to her Instagram Stories.

In the clip, the Charmed actress reflected on her years-long cancer journey and how she was staying positive: "I'm not afraid of death because I know where I'm going, " she said. "I know the people that I'm gonna see. I think I would be afraid of death if I wasn't a good person, but I am."

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"I don't want to die. That's the difference. I'm not afraid of dying, I just don't want to die. Like ever," Doherty continued. "I'm not done with – hopefully – changing things for the better. I'm just – I'm not done. My greatest memory is yet to come."

In the comments of the post, Munn wrote, "The sweetest, bravest friend. 💔"