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Later this month,Carol Burnettwillcelebrate turning 90. While her nine decades have been filled with career success, the comedian has also dealt with major loss, including the death of her daughterCarrie Hamilton— one of the three daughters Burnett welcomed with second husband Joe Hamilton — in 2002.
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Hamilton struggled with drug addiction and in 2002 was diagnosed with cancer that started in her lungs and spread to her brain. She died the following January at age 38.
“When she got sick, I remember she was in the hospital and I would go to see her every day,” Burnett recalls. “One day, a nurse at the hospital said, ‘Carrie cheers us up.’ I asked Carrie why she was always cheerful, and her reply was, ‘Everyday I wake up and decide.’ That’s the key word,decide.”
Now, Burnett says, “I say that to myself every morning.”
Ari + Louise
The six-time Golden Globe winner realizes how fragile life can be.
“It’s taking [it] one day at a time,” Burnett says. “You don’t know. Life can change on a dime. So just be grateful for today what you have.”
For more on Carol Burnett, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday, or subscribehere.
Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Loveairs April 26 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and streams on Peacock the next day.
source: people.com
