Lena Zavaroni was a Scottish child star born on November 4, 1963, who rose to fame in the 70s. Living above her family’s chippy on the Isle of Bute, Lena displayed star qualities from a young age. Her talent was recognized by Scottish singer/songwriter Tommy Scott, who saw her perform and was amazed by her voice. Lena’s big break came when she appeared on the BBC talent show Opportunity Knocks in 1974 at the age of nine. She impressed the audience with her singing and went on to release her debut album, Ma! (He’s Making Eyes at Me), reaching number 8 in the UK Albums Chart at just ten years old.
Despite her success, Lena faced health issues, especially related to anorexia nervosa. Her struggles with anorexia became evident when she was 15, and she was noticeably thin when she landed her own BBC primetime show at the age of 18. Lena suffered a breakdown on stage in 1982 and was later diagnosed with anorexia nervosa. Her battle with the eating disorder persisted throughout her life. In a desperate attempt to cure her anorexia and depression, Lena underwent pioneering leucotomy surgery at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff. Just weeks after the surgery, Lena passed away from pneumonia at the age of 35, weighing only four stone.
Following Lena’s tragic death, her father Victor reflected on her life and struggles. He mentioned that Lena had started eating again and appeared to be on the road to recovery before her sudden death. Victor noted that he had never heard of anorexia nervosa before Lena’s diagnosis and believed that providing a proper family life could have helped her overcome the illness. Lena’s close friend and fellow child star, Bonnie Langford, paid tribute to Lena after her passing, describing her as finally being “free” from her struggles. A documentary titled “Lena Zavaroni: The Forgotten Child Star” aired on BBC Two, recounting Lena’s story from her rise to stardom as a child singer to her battles with anorexia.
The documentary shed light on the signs and symptoms of anorexia, including being underweight for age, missing meals or restricting food intake, distorted body image, using appetite suppressants, menstrual irregularities, and physical problems like dizziness and hair loss. Lena’s story serves as a sad reminder of the impact of early fame and the challenges faced by child stars in maintaining their well-being. Despite her talent and success at a young age, Lena struggled with health issues, ultimately losing her life to the devastating effects of anorexia. Her legacy continues to be remembered through documentaries and tributes, highlighting the importance of mental health awareness and support for individuals, especially those in the spotlight.
