Lena Zavaroni's life came to a tragic end when she was just 35. The child star, who won Opportunity Knocks at nine, died after contracting pneumonia following brain surgery aimed at curing her anorexia.
Rise to Fame
Lena shot to stardom in the 1970s when she won Opportunity Knocks, the biggest talent show in the country at the time. Her talent was spotted by a music producer on holiday on the Isle of Bute, where Lena lived with her family. Showbiz agent Philip Solomon was flown to the island to offer her a management contract, which her father Victor initially refused.
Victor said in a BBC documentary: "I asked him 'Do you mind if I get a lawyer?'. 'No, No, No, he said. This doesn’t need a lawyer." After Solomon stormed off, Victor sought advice from a cousin, who said the agent could help Lena become a star, and her father relented.
Global Stardom
Lena was sent to London and, after singing "Ma, he’s making eyes at me", won the show and the hearts of the nation. She soon toured the United States, meeting Frank Sinatra and Liza Minelli, and appeared on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. She toured the world, from Japan to Europe, living with her managers in London.
Anorexia Strikes
On a rare visit home, Victor noticed Lena was very thin. He took her to a doctor, who diagnosed anorexia nervosa. Victor recalled: "I never heard the word anorexia for sure. It wasn’t a known thing." The family moved south to be with her, but the illness had a firm grip.
Victor tried specialists, psychiatrists, hypnotherapists, psychoanalysts, but nothing worked. Lena became so ill she had to stop performing. Her final public performance was a Songs of Praise special in her hometown of Rothesay on the Isle of Bute.
During the programme, Lena said: "There is always hope at any time of life, and I think you’ve just got to think that, whether you feel it or not."
Brain Surgery and Death
In 1999, Lena opted for brain surgery in a bid for a cure. Victor said: "I honestly think when I went to see her, she was starting to eat, I honestly do, but I’ll never know." Tragically, she contracted pneumonia after the operation and died at age 35.
Reflecting on her voice, Victor said: "She was in a world of her own singing, there’s a lot of feeling in that."
