Lena Zavaroni - died 1st October 1999

25 years ago today Scottish child star Lena Zavaroni died at the age of 35 from pneumonia.

She was the youngest ever person to have an album in the UK album charts at the tender age of 10 and went on to make numerous TV guest star appearances and even hosting her own TV show.

Born in Greenock, Renfrewshire she grew up on the Isle of Bute where her parents owned a fish and chip shop / ice cream parlour.

In 1974 she appeared on the TV talent show “Opportunity Knocks” and won the show for a record 5 weeks on the trot. She followed this with an album “Ma, He’s Making Eyes at Me” which as previously mentioned reached no 8 in the UK album charts.

From the age of 13 she suffered from anorexia nervosa followed by clinical depression from the age of 15.

In later years Lena underwent electroconvulsive therapy in an attempt to cure her depression. She was admitted to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff for the pioneering treatment. 

But after initially appearing to have weathered the operation well, after 3 weeks she contracted pneumonia causing her weight to drop to under 5 stone (70lbs), passing away on 1st October 1999.

She is buried at Hoddesdon cemetery in Hertfordshire.