After divorcing form Olivier in 1960. Vivien started living with Jack Merivale, who later joined her for a tour of Australia, New Zealand and South America which lasted from July 1961. to May 1962. She reconciled with her daughter Suzanne, who was now married to Robin Farrington with whom she had three children. Vivien once said: "I’ve been a godmother loads of times, but being a grandmother is better than anything". Although not longer with Olivier, she still kept his photograph beside her head on her dressing table. The hadn’t seen each other since the divorce, but sources claim that they had exchanged letters on regular terms. Meanwhile, Vivien’s tuberculosis had returned, and this time she didn’t react very well to the treatment. Her body was already weakened because of many years of undergoing electroshock therapy and strong medicines for bipolar disorder. Finally, on the night of July 7th 1967. Jack Merivale, came to her bedroom, at her Eaton Square flat in London, and discovered her body on the floor. As she was attempting to walk to the bathroom, her lungs filled with liquid and suffocated. When the ambulance arrived, she was already dead in 54. year of her life. Merivale reached for her family and Olivier, who was at the time in the hospital, receiving treatment for prostate cancer. He arrived, paid his respect, and according to Merivale he said:"I pray for forgiveness for all the evils that had sprung up between us". He helped Merivale with all funeral arrangements and stayed until her body was removed from her flat. Following the public announcement of her death, the lights of every theatre in central London were extinguished for exactly one hour. A catholic service was held at St.Mary’s Church in London. Her funeral was attended by her family, friends, fans and many luminaries of British stage and screen.
According to her will, she was cremated and her ashes were scattered on the lake at her summer home, Tickerage Mill, London (Figure 11).In 1968 Leigh became the very first actress to be honoured in the United States, by "The Friends of the Libraries at the University of Southern California". Most of her belongings including her letters, photographs and diaries, were passed on to her daughter Suzanne Farrington.
According to her will, she was cremated and her ashes were scattered on the lake at her summer home, Tickerage Mill, London (Figure 11).In 1968 Leigh became the very first actress to be honoured in the United States, by "The Friends of the Libraries at the University of Southern California". Most of her belongings including her letters, photographs and diaries, were passed on to her daughter Suzanne Farrington.
Laurence Olivier outlived his former wife for 22 years. Although he remarried and started a new life he had never forgotten his life with Vivien. According to sources, he would often watch her movies and cry all night asking himself "What went wrong". On July 11th 1989. Laurence died at his home after years of struggling with many health issues. He was finally able to join his long gone wife in the afterlife, and who knows, if there is a life after death, perhaps they are together again leaving peacefully the life they had always wanted, but never had here on Earth.
The story of Vivien Leigh remains to be one of the most beautiful and heartbreaking of our time. She was a genuine combination of elegance, grace, beauty and talent, which are still very much alive through movies and many stage performances she had made for her time being. Although her life was full of ups and downs, successes, struggles, sadness and happiness, she is still one of the most appreciated and respected artists all around the world. Perhaps, one of the reasons why I became so much fond of her and her life, was her great persistence and the ability to always go on and fight for what you want no matter how impossible and unattainable it may be. Because no matter what happens today, we must never forget the wise words of Scarlett O` Hara: "Tomorrow, is another day!"