NEWS / Iconic fashion designer Bob Mackie died of blunt head trauma – death certificate

The death certificate of iconic American fashion designer Bob Mackie indicates that the immediate cause of his death was a subarachnoid hemorrhage and blunt head trauma. According the his vital record, the Mackie sustained the head injury as a result of a fall on September 11.

Mackie passed away on September 14 at the age of 87 at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, Riverside County, California, with the official cause of death being given as pneumonia.

“For clarification, Mr. Mackie was staying in the guest house at the home of his longtime Design Director, Joe McFate,” Mackie’s representative told Us, which also later obtained a copy of the costumier’s death certificate. “A healthcare professional was with him when he fell. He was also suffering from pneumonia both before and after his hospitalization.”

The death certificate further reports that the fashion icon was cremated on September 17, with his remains scattered off the coast of San Diego County, California.

“It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Mr. Bob Mackie passed away today,” Mackie’s Instagram account read that day. “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.”

A native of California, Mackie became well-known for his stylistic contributions to The Carol Burnett Show in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. He became known as the Sultan of the Sequins, the Rajah of Rhinestones, and the Guru Glitter. He partnered with Mattel to produce outfits for Barbie dolls, most notably focusing on introducing culturally diverse dresses. Mackie was responsible for producing memorable ensembles for the likes of Tina Turner, Dolly Parton, Elton John, Sabrina Carpenter, and Cher, who posted about the fashionista’s death on September 14.

“My dear Bob has gone up to heaven,” Cher wrote on her X account. “Knowing him, he’s bringing Sequins, Beads, & his sketch pad. Good nite sweet Prince Luv Me.”

Mackie’s death was also mourned by actress and long-term collaborator Carol Burnett.

“Sadness doesn’t come close to how I feel,” Burnett posted on her Instagram account. “I loved him very much. As for his genius, there are fashion designers who don’t do costumes and there are costume designers who don’t do fashion. Bob did it all. There was no one like him.”

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