Beloved Internet meme (and legend in her own right) Grumpy Cat has passed away at the age of seven years. The cute little cat was well-known for her permanently grumpy facial expression and she often traveled alongside her owner Tabitha, making television appearances and delighting people the world over. Unfortunately, recent health issues proved too difficult for her to endure and she subsequently passed away on May 14, 2019.
“Despite care from top professionals, as well as from her very loving family, Grumpy encountered complications from a recent urinary tract infection that unfortunately became too tough for her to overcome,” read a statement on the official Grumpy Cat Twitter account. “She passed away peacefully on the morning of Tuesday, May 14, at home in the arms of her mommy, Tabatha.”
Grumpy Cat first came to the Internet’s attention when her owner’s brother posted pictures of her on Reddit’s /r/pics subreddit. She quickly gained fame as people found an appreciation for her unique look. As the cat’s social media presence exploded, her owner Tabitha Bundesen quit her job in order to manage the cat’s social media presence. Several endorsements and other deals were struck in the following years. These included an endorsement deal with a coffee company, Purina cat food, and even her very own iOS game.
The adorable Internet legend suffered from feline dwarfism, a condition that contributed to her small size and likely influenced her unique facial look to a degree. Her father has grey and white stripes and her mother is a calico domestic short hair, although the official Grumpy Cat website concedes that they may not be certain who her father was exactly.
Grumpy Cat’s other achievements include receiving a wax figure at Madame Tussauds in San Francisco, California, an Instagram account with more than two million followers, a children’s book, and countless appearances in television and other media. She is survived by her owner Tabitha.
