The actress, who passed away on January 30, was born with a very rare condition that she only discovered in adulthood.
Catherine O’Hara, who became known for memorable roles in films such as “Home Alone” and “Beetlejuice”, passed away at her home in Los Angeles, USA, on January 30, at the age of 71.
The actress had previously revealed that she had dextrocardia with situs inversus, a very rare condition that she only discovered during a routine medical appointment when she was already an adult.
People with this condition have their main internal organs positioned in reverse, like a mirror image. In O’Hara’s case, her heart was located on the right side of her chest instead of the left.
According to a report by LadBible, in 2021 the actress said she did not know she had the condition until she underwent a series of routine exams and recalled the moment she discovered she had the unusual condition, as well as her husband’s humorous reaction.
“When the doctor told us that my heart was on the right side and my organs were reversed, my husband immediately said: ‘No, her head is on backwards,’” O’Hara said.
Generally, the condition is harmless and allows for a normal life, as the organs function perfectly despite their reversed positioning.
News about O’Hara’s dextrocardia with situs inversus resurfaced shortly after the announcement of her death, and it has not been confirmed whether it had a direct connection to her passing. In a brief statement to the press, the actress’s representatives said only that she died after a “brief illness.”
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