America’s little darling, and one of the most famous child stars of all time, Shirley Temple, passed away Monday night surrounded by her closest family and caregivers. She was 85 years old.
Shirley Temple Black, as her family and friends knew her, is known for her early films in the 1930’s “Curly Top” and “Bright Eyes.” She was the doe-eyed symbol of hope that America needed so desperately during the Great Depression.
At only age five, she was awarded a special Oscar made just for her that was miniature sized for her amazing contribution to the movie screen within only a couple years. She would go on to star in 23 motion pictures, and at one point she led the box office for three straight years. 
Her legacy also lives on in the “Shirley Temple,” a drink that was named after her, and her famous curls live on in the dolls that were made of her that became a collector’s item.
Her career as an actress declined through her teenage years, and she retired from the screen at age 22.
She then went on to create a very prosperous second career for herself and served as U.S. ambassador to Ghana and to Czechoslovakia.
She is also remembered for being one of the first women to openly talk about breast cancer. She held a news conference in her hospital room just after undergoing a mastectomy to help woman all over the nation discovering breast lumps not to “sit home and be afraid.”
She will be forever missed and remembered as America’s little darling with dimples and curly blonde hair.
