Who was Leonard Bernstein? Life, Career & Cause of Death

• Leonard Bernstein born in 1918, renowned American musician, conductor, composer, pianist, and author.
• Bernstein passed away in 1990, five days after retiring as a conductor.
• His Cause of death was identified as a heart attack from mesothelioma, linked to a lifelong smoking habit.

Leonard Bernstein, an American musician, conductor, composer, pianist, and author, was a highly celebrated and influential figure in American history. He was born in 1918 and passed away in 1990 in his apartment.

Bradley Cooper’s “Maestro” explores Bernstein’s vibrant life over the years, particularly his romantic relationship with his wife, Felecia Montealegre. Here’s a brief overview of Bernstein’s life and death.

Leonard Bernstein passed away on October 14, 1990, only five days after retiring as a conductor. The renowned musician was discovered in his New York apartment, and the cause of his death was identified as a heart attack resulting from mesothelioma, which was linked to a lifelong habit of smoking.

Bernstein was laid to rest beside his wife, Felicia Montealegre, in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn. Felicia, who was his true love, died at 56 in 1978 from lung cancer. Bernstein never got over her death and chose not to remarry. In August 1990, he conducted his final concert at Tanglewood while visibly unwell. Two months later, in his apartment, the maestro passed away.

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Bradley Cooper’s movie “Maestro” pays tribute to the legendary musician, focusing on his marriage to Felicia in 1951 and the challenges he faced, particularly the loss of his wife in 1978. After Felicia’s death, he took a break from conducting, but his love for music persisted until his passing.

The film, however, doesn’t delve into Bernstein’s lifelong struggle with his identity as a gay man, which he embraced only after his wife’s death. Bernstein, devoted to music, composed, wrote, and conducted operas, also teaching the next generation of musicians.

Despite life’s hardships, music remained his solace, and he passed away shortly after retiring from his lifelong passion of conducting.

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