Della Reese died from complications associated with diabetes, passing away peacefully on November 19, 2017, at her home in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 86. Her death marked the conclusion of a remarkable, multi-decade entertainment career that bridged the worlds of gospel, pop music, television, and ministry.
Introduction to a Multifaceted Icon
When legendary entertainer and minister Della Reese passed away in late 2017, the entertainment world lost a pioneering voice who had spent over six decades redefining what it meant to be a crossover artist. Best known to late-20th-century television audiences as the wise, no-nonsense Tess on the hit CBS drama Touched by an Angel, Reese was already a musical heavyweight with chart-topping pop and R&B hits long before she stepped onto a soundstage as an actress.
Understanding how Della Reese died requires looking at the health battles that marked her later years, particularly her struggle with type 2 diabetes. However, to truly understand her passing is to view it through the lens of her extraordinary life. Her journey took her from singing in a Detroit church choir at age six to commanding the stages of Las Vegas showrooms, breaking racial barriers in daytime television, and ultimately founding her own spiritual community. This comprehensive look examines the medical facts surrounding her death, the chronology of her health challenges, and the indelible artistic and spiritual legacy she left behind.
The Medical Facts of Della Reese’s Passing
On November 19, 2017, Della Reese passed away at her home in the upscale Toluca Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles. She was 86 years old. Her family, alongside her Touched by an Angel co-star Roma Downey, released statements confirming her peaceful transition surrounded by loved ones.
The primary cause of death was attributed to complications related to type 2 diabetes, a chronic condition she had managed publicly for many years. Diabetes can lead to a cascade of systemic health failures over time, affecting cardiovascular health, kidney function, and overall metabolic stability. While Reese did not succumb to a sudden acute illness, her body had grown frail following years of intensive medical management and prior health scares.
Understanding the Impact of Type 2 Diabetes in Later Life
Type 2 diabetes affects how the body processes glucose (sugar). Over decades, high blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels and nerves throughout the body, significantly increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, neuropathy, and kidney failure. In elderly patients, advanced diabetic complications often lead to a gradual decline in physiological resilience. For Reese, who maintained an active work schedule well into her later years, managing the disease required strict dietary controls, medication, and eventually a reduction in public appearances as her mobility and physical strength declined.
A Timeline of Health Challenges
Della Reese’s final years were marked by significant health battles that tested her legendary resilience. Long before her death in 2017, she faced a near-fatal medical emergency that reshaped her career and deepened her spiritual focus.
The 1996 Brain Aneurysm
In 1979, Reese suffered a mild stroke, but her most terrifying medical crisis occurred in 1996 while she was actively filming Touched by an Angel. Reese suffered a massive brain aneurysm. She collapsed on set and underwent multiple delicate brain surgeries.
Doctors gave her a guarded prognosis, but Reese's determination and deep faith fueled a miraculous recovery. Remarkably, she returned to the set of Touched by an Angel just months after the incident, writing dialogue adjustments into her character to accommodate her physical recovery. She credited her survival to divine intervention and the prompt actions of her medical team and castmates.
Subsequent Health Struggles and Diabetes Management
Following the brain aneurysm and her ongoing battle with diabetes, Reese’s health required constant monitoring. In 2002, she publicly revealed her diagnosis with type 2 diabetes during an interview on Larry King Live, partnering with pharmaceutical awareness campaigns to educate the public—particularly within African American communities, where the disease prevalence is disproportionately high.
As she entered her late 70s and 80s, the cumulative effects of diabetes and the physical toll of her earlier brain surgery led her to scale back her acting and singing commitments. She officially retired from full-time acting after the conclusion of Touched by an Angel in 2003 and her subsequent guest appearances, focusing instead on her ministry and spending time with her husband, producer Franklin Lett, and her children.
Musical Origins and Early Career Breakthroughs
Born Delloreese Patricia Early on July 25, 1931, in Detroit, Michigan, Reese showed prodigious musical talent from early childhood. Raised in the Baptist church, she sang solo in the choir by age six and was heavily influenced by gospel icon Mahalia Jackson.
Transition to Secular Music and Chart Success
In the early 1950s, Reese joined the Meditation Singers, one of the first gospel groups to cross over into secular venues. Her booming, three-octave vocal range caught the attention of Jubilee Records, where she signed as a solo artist in 1954.
Her breakthrough came in 1957 with the hit single "And That Reminds Me," which cracked the Billboard Top 20. Two years later, she signed with RCA Victor and released her signature blockbuster song, "Don't You Know?", based on an aria from Puccini's opera La Bohème. The track sold over a million copies, reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100, and established her as a crossover superstar.
| Year | Milestone / Work | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 1931 | Birth in Detroit, MI | Began singing gospel music in church at age six. |
| 1957 | "And That Reminds Me" | First major hit single, establishing her pop and R&B credentials. |
| 1959 | "Don't You Know?" | Sold over one million copies; her biggest commercial recording success. |
| 1969–1970 | The Della Reese Show | Broke barriers as the first Black woman to host a daily syndicated talk show. |
| 1994–2003 | Touched by an Angel | Starred as Tess, cementing her legacy in television history. |
Television Pioneer and Cultural Impact
While Reese's singing voice brought her international fame, her television career broke vital ground for African American women in broadcasting and dramatic arts.
Breaking Barriers in Daytime Talk
In 1969, Reese made television history by hosting The Della Reese Show, a daily, hour-long talk show. She was the first Black woman to host a national daily television talk show in the United States. The program featured celebrity interviews, musical performances, and candid discussions on social issues of the era, showcasing her quick wit and empathetic interviewing style.
Touched by an Angel and the Role of Tess
For nine seasons from 1994 to 2003, Della Reese starred alongside Roma Downey in the CBS inspirational drama Touched by an Angel. As Tess, the supervising angel who guided troubled mortals toward redemption, Reese brought warmth, authority, and emotional depth to millions of viewers every week. The show was a ratings juggernaut, drawing over 20 million viewers at its peak and earning Reese two Emmy Award nominations and two NAACP Image Awards.
Ordained Ministry and Spiritual Legacy
Reese’s life off-screen was deeply anchored in faith. In the late 1980s, she enrolled in the Unification Theological Seminary and became an ordained minister.
She founded her own church, the Understanding Principles for Better Living Church (UP Church), located in Los Angeles. As Pastor Della, she preached an inclusive message of self-empowerment, spiritual growth, and practical living. Her sermons combined her rich background in gospel music with motivational speaking, drawing dedicated congregants who viewed her as both a spiritual leader and a cultural treasure.
Tributes and Enduring Legacy
Following her passing in November 2017, tributes poured in from across the entertainment industry, civil rights organizations, and political figures. Co-star Roma Downey released a moving statement calling Reese her "earthly mother" and a woman who "loved with her whole heart." Della Reese’s legacy endures through her extensive recorded musical catalog, her groundbreaking television appearances, and the countless individuals she touched through her ministry and philanthropic work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Della Reese's exact cause of death?
Della Reese died from complications related to type 2 diabetes. Her passing occurred naturally at her home in Los Angeles, California, on November 19, 2017, at the age of 86.
Did Della Reese recover from her 1996 brain aneurysm?
Yes. After suffering a massive brain aneurysm while filming Touched by an Angel in 1996, Reese underwent emergency surgery and intensive rehabilitation. She made a remarkable recovery, returning to the show and continuing her acting career for several more years.
How long was Della Reese on Touched by an Angel?
Della Reese starred in Touched by an Angel for its entire nine-season run, spanning from 1994 to 2003, appearing in all 211 episodes as the angelic supervisor Tess.
Was Della Reese an ordained minister?
Yes. Reese was ordained as a minister in the late 1980s and subsequently founded the Understanding Principles for Better Living Church (UP Church) in Los Angeles, where she served as pastor.
What were Della Reese's most famous songs?
Her most famous commercial recording was "Don't You Know?" (1959), which sold over a million copies and reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100. Other notable hits include "And That Reminds Me" and "Not One Minute More."
Conclusion and Final Reflections
Della Reese’s life was defined by resilience, boundary-pushing talent, and an unwavering commitment to uplifting others. From the gospel roots of Detroit to the summit of television stardom and pastoral leadership, she navigated immense personal and medical hurdles without losing her trademark warmth or artistic power. Her journey—from chart-topping singer to trailblazing talk show host and beloved television angel—secures her place as one of the most versatile and inspiring figures in American entertainment history.
