Age and date of death
Phyllis Diller was 95 years old when she died. She passed away on August 20, 2012. Born on July 17, 1917, she lived just beyond four score and fifteen years. The comedian died in her Los Angeles home. Official records list her age at death as 95. In the following sections, we verify these dates, clarify the cause of death, and place her longevity and career into durable context.
Cause of death and health context
Diller died from multiple organ failure secondary to age-related complications. Throughout her later years, she managed heart disease and other typical conditions of advanced age. Her death was not the result of an accident or acute injury, but of systemic failure after many years of chronic health issues. Understanding the cause helps clarify public questions about whether her longevity was affected by specific illnesses.
Career longevity and timeline
Diller’s career spanned more than six decades, with her breakthrough in the late 1950s and continued activity into the 2000s. She remained active in stand-up, television, and voice work well into her 80s and 90s. This sustained relevance supports the enduring interest in her age at death, serving as both a biographical milestone and a marker of professional endurance.
Key career milestones
- 1950s: Breakout TV and nightclub success
- 1960s: Multiple television appearances and album releases
- 1990s–2000s: Voice roles, specials, and late-careet revivals
Birth and death records
Official documents confirm her birth and death dates. The combination of a long life and high-profile career makes records about her age at death especially reliable.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | July 17, 1917 | Official records |
| Date of death | August 20, 2012 | Official records |
| Age at death | 95 years | Calculated from above dates |
| Place of death | Los Angeles, California, USA | Reported and confirmed |
| Primary cause of death | Multiple organ failure | Coroner/attending physician reports |
Clarifying common misconceptions
Some reports mistakenly conflate her age with earlier or later years. Because Diller remained culturally visible for so long, anecdotes sometimes blur the timeline. We correct these points by returning to primary records, which consistently show she was 95 at death.
How age at death shapes her legacy
Living to 95 allowed Diller to see her influence persist across eras. Her age at death is not an isolated number but a reflection of resilience, reinvention, and continuous public engagement. This longevity contributes to her lasting stature in comedy history.
Frequently asked questions summary
- How old was Phyllis Diller when she died? She was 95.
- When did Phyllis Diller die? August 20, 2012.
- What was her cause of death? Multiple organ failure due to age-related complications.
- Where was she born and where did she die? Born in Lima, Ohio; died in Los Angeles, California.
- Did she remain active late in life? Yes, she continued performing and appearing publicly into her 90s.
Comparative perspective
Compared with peers in classic stand-up, Diller’s lifespan is notable but not extreme. Her sustained relevance, however, distinguishes her. The table below contextualizes her age at death alongside select contemporaries for durable reference.
| Comedian | Age at death | Years active |
|---|---|---|
| Phyllis Diller | 95 | 1950s–2000s |
| Joan Rivers | 81 | 1960s–2014 |
| George Carlin | 71 | 1960s–2008 |
| Robin Williams | 63 | 1980s–2014 |
Reliable sourcing practices
Information here is drawn from official death certificates, reputable biographical sources, and contemporaneous news archives. Where estimates exist, we prefer primary records and corroborating outlets to avoid propagation of errors.
Conclusion and enduring relevance
Phyllis Diller was 95 when she died on August 6–20, 2012, after living a unusually long life for a major comedian of her generation. Verified dates, cause of death, and career span provide a clear, fact-first account that remains useful as a durable reference for biographical and trivia needs.