Lucky Stars

Near-Death Experiences of the Rich and Famous

Many of us place Hollywood stars and other notable or famous figures upon a bit of a pedestal, sometimes going so far as to make allowances for their destructive behaviors. They seem unique and more significant than life, and it’s hard to imagine them with the everyday problems that affect us all.

But, in reality, they’re only human with all the requisite human frailties. They eat, sleep, and put their pants on one leg at a time, just like the rest of us. Sometimes, they even get sick. Sometimes, they die.

And sometimes they come back.

Like many others worldwide, many celebrities have died and come back to tell of their experiences, which, almost invariably, had profound effects on their lives. As with many, their brushes with immortality and vivid recollections stories offer hope, inspiration, and a tantalizing glimpse into that mysterious Other World.

These experiences involve profound spiritual insights, altered perceptions, and vivid recollections of a realm beyond our physical world.

Here, we glimpse some of the captivating NDE stories from just a few famous individuals, which may shed some light on the profound impact these encounters had on their lives and beliefs.

Gary Busey

The eccentric television and film actor told The Guardian that after a motorcycle accident in 1988, he briefly died and went into a “spiritual realm” and that the experience changed his entire perspective on life.

While between life and death, Busey said he felt like he was being protected by angels, which he saw as large light orbs. “I was surrounded by angels, balls of light floating all around me, and I felt trust, love, protection, and happiness like you cannot feel on earth. It’s the feeling angles live in.”

Sir Winston Churchill

One of history’s most iconic leaders, Sir Winston Churchill, is known for his statesmanship and remarkable near-death experience during a visit to New York City in 1931. Churchill was struck by a car while crossing Fifth Avenue and later recounted how he found himself floating above his body, observing the scene below.

He described a feeling of serenity and detachment before being revived. This experience influenced his outlook on life and contributed to his unwavering leadership during World War II.

Sharon Stone

Renowned Hollywood actress Sharon Stone is famous for her roles in films like “Basic Instinct” and “Casino.” But her life took an unexpected turn when she suffered a massive brain hemorrhage in 2001. Stone vividly recalls a profound NDE during which she felt herself enveloped in a loving presence, with a sensation of peace and warmth.

Her experience profoundly impacted her perspective on life, leading her to advocate for humanitarian causes.

Steve Jobs

The late visionary co-founder of Apple, Steve Jobs, had a profound encounter with mortality after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2003. While undergoing surgery, Jobs reportedly had a vivid NDE in which he felt a sense of weightlessness and detachment from his physical body.

He later described a feeling of being “on the other side.” He claimed that the experience gave him a renewed sense of purpose and a heightened appreciation for life’s fleeting moments.

This near-death experience would likely have been an enormous comfort to him in his final days.

Elizabeth Taylor

The legendary Hollywood actress Elizabeth Taylor, known for her mesmerizing ‘violet’ eyes, reportedly had an NDE during one of her many hospitalizations. She described feeling herself leave her body and move toward a brilliant light before being resuscitated.

The late star, who claimed that she was pronounced dead four times during her life, recounted one near-death experience during a 1992 appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show. The legendary actor said that while she was in the hospital, she visited the afterlife, where she communicated with her late husband, Mike Todd. Taylor noted that Todd told her to “go back,” even though she felt compelled to stay with him.

Taylor continued of her experience, “Mike Todd was there. And I wanted to be with him more than anything in the world. He’d been dead about three years, and I was still mourning.”

She went on to say that Todd told her to return to her life. “He said, ‘No, baby, you can’t. It’s not your time. You can’t come over.”

Taylor continued, “And then I went into this—I sort of floated into this tunnel,” Taylor explained. “And there were other figures that I recognized. And this welcoming, like, sun, white sun, and warmth, and like being in liquid mercury. It was like being weightless.”

Dannion Brinkley

The former Marine and author of Saved By the Light has had multiple near-death experiences, the first of which occurred during a lightning strike in 1975. He claimed to have visited heavenly realms and received messages about life and death.

In his book, Brinkley details “what it is like to die and what Love waits for us in heaven.” He recounts his life as a bully and merciless fighter until age 25, when he was hit by lightning and had his first near-death experience.

“If I didn’t go to hell in the last four journeys, nobody’s going to hell, okay,” Brinkley said. “So, when you learn you don’t die, when you learn you’re a spiritual being, you’re not going to go to hell; that’s enough to inspire you to change.”

Brinkley put his beliefs into action. For decades, he’s been counseling terminal patients. Specifically, he guides his fellow veterans, assuring them they have nothing to fear from death.

The near-death experiences of these well-known celebrities and historical figures offer a fascinating insight into the brink of mortality. Whether encountering a realm of serenity, reconnecting with lost loved ones, or receiving a renewed lease on life, these experiences profoundly shaped their perspectives and actions. As we explore the frontiers of consciousness and existence, these stories remind us of the depth of human experience and the enduring questions about life after life.

Neuroscience, psychology, and theology researchers continue studying NDEs to better understand them and their implications.

Have you had a near-death experience? Tell us about it! rene@kgradb.com