On July 13, 2025, it had been a year since actress Shannen Doherty died after a long fight with stage 4 breast cancer. She was an icon, known for her roles in the hugely popular shows Beverly Hills, 90210 and Charmed, yet she was much more than a television star: She was a cherished friend, advocate, and inspiration.
On the first anniversary of her passing, some of Doherty's closest friends and co-stars posted touching tributes on social media that reflected on her strength, spirit, and legacy.
Actress Sarah Michelle Gellar, who had a long friendship with Doherty that lasted decades, shared a poignant video montage on Instagram showing some of their private moments over the years together, cooking, laughing, and being outside. Gellar closed the post with the simple yet impactful message, "It only hurts this much because there was so much love."
Ian Ziering, Doherty's co-star on Beverly Hills, 90210, publicly shared for the first time about his former co-worker's passing. He said he waited a whole year to speak because he needed time to grieve privately. "Grief is not a performance," he said. Ziering remembered Doherty as courageous, fierce, and tenacious. "She shifted the furniture in your heart" he said while thinking about the impression she left on everybody around her.
Tori Spelling, another castmate from 90210, also posted a tribute photo and wrote about how Doherty contributed to her growth as a person. Spelling indicated how her late friend taught her to stop apologizing for who I am, and to own her voice. “Grief is weird. She wrote that 'it doesn't go away,' indicating she'll always keep Doherty's lessons with her.
Legacy and Strength Off the Screen
Shannen Doherty's impact went beyond television. In her later years, she was a strong public advocate around cancer. She was candid about her393 her diagnosis, treatments, and emotions, making others feel seen and validated in their battles with illness.
In the last few months of her life, everyone who knew her said that she still had hope and she still had a sparkle in her eye. Her Charmed co-star and friend Holly Marie Combs said Doherty never truly believed she was dying even though it was her reality. Doherty continued to plan and kept her head held high and was mentally strong until the very end.
Other friends and co-stars including Rose McGowan, Jennie Garth, Brian Austin Green all shared tributes along with personal memories and admiration of her bravery and authenticity. Rosa Doherty, her mother, simply stated my heart as she echoed her loss of a daughter to cancer.
In the time since her untimely passing, Doherty's spirit has continued to light the way. Her strength in the face of terminal illness, her honesty and candor, and her humanity and love for her friends and fans have made her legacy endure. The remembrances shared, most recently this week, show that she is still deeply missed—and that her lasting legacy is very much alive through those she inspired.
Shannen Doherty's legacy will be more than just fame; it is the legacy of strength, of truth, of compassion. One year later, the legacy is still strong.
Source(Image / Thumbnail): people.com
