Fashion Designer Bob Mackie Suffered Head Trauma In Fall Days Before Death – Report

Bob Mackie, the celebrated fashion designer known for the eye-popping gowns and costumes worn by Cher, Carol Burnett and many other stars, sustained an injury in a fall just days before he died on September 14 in a Palm Springs hospital.

According to an exclusive new report in US magazine, Mackie’s immediate cause of death is listed in a death certificate, obtained by the news outlet yesterday, as a subarachnoid hemorrhage and blunt head trauma. He apparently also was suffering from pneumonia both before and after the fall.

The death certificate obtained by US indicates the 87-year-old Mackie had suffered a fall and sustained an injury on September 11 at the home of his longtime design director Joseph McFate. When he died September 14 at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, the official cause of death was ruled as the pneumonia.

US reports that Mackie had been staying in the guest house at McFate’s home and that a healthcare professional was with him when he fell. The designer remains, following cremation on September 17, were scattered at sea off the coast of San Diego County in California.

Mackie’s death was announced by his team on the day of his death. “It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Mr. Bob Mackie passed away today,” the statement read. “He lived his 87 years to the fullest, fulfilling his dream of being a Fashion and Costume Designer, which is all he ever wanted to do. His genius and extraordinary designs will live on forever, continuing to bring beauty into this world.”

Among the Tony- and Emmy-winning designer’s most famous creations were Cher’s iconic stage outfits, numerous costumes for The Carol Burnett Show including the unforgettable “Went With The Wind” curtain rod dress and gowns worn by Carol Channing, Liza Minnelli, Bernadette Peters and Debbie Reynolds, among many others.