This article serves as a poignant look at stars lost too soon. Their AI-generated images bring a glimpse of what might have been.
From royal icons to Hollywood legends, we go down memory lane of how their lives were before they ended.
Several public figures died more than twenty years ago and some died tragically.
Seeing how their lives were cut short, one wonders what they would look like in old age. From the beloved Princess Diana and pop star Elvis Presley, here are AI-generated images that depict what they would look like today.
Princess Diana
Born into an aristocratic family, Princess Diana became a member of the Royal Family. She married King Charles III and the couple welcomed sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. They divorced in 1996.
The royal siblings were 12 and 15 when their beloved mother passed away following a car accident at 36. The void left by her tragic death in Paris on August 31, 1997, has remained unfilled.
Princes William and Harry shared their final conversation with their mother. They disclosed this in the 2017 HBO documentary “Diana: Her Life and Legacy.” They noted that the conversation was rushed, a moment they’ve since wished could have been more.
The Duke of Sussex recalled the phone call he had with his mother before she died. “If I’d known that that was the last time I was going to speak to my mother, the things that I would – the things I would have said to her,” Prince Harry expressed.
At the time of her death, the mother of two was with her rumored boyfriend “Dodi” Fayed. A driver traveling with the pair reportedly drove over the speed limit and lost control of the vehicle.
The car crashed into the Alma Tunnel while they were trying to evade the paparazzi. Fayed and the driver died at the scene while Princess Diana was transported to hospital where she later passed on.
Diana Imagined
It has been twenty-six years since the People’s Princess passed away. She would have been 63 years old if she were still alive today.
This depiction presents Princess Diana with her cheeks gracefully aging. There is a hint of crow’s feet. Her eyes retain their characteristic warmth, and her hair is styled in a mature, elegant fashion that suits her age.
Here, Diana’s face shows more pronounced laugh lines, but her eyes remain strikingly expressive. A touch of gray highlights her blonde hair, suggesting the passage of time.
This image shows Diana with a serene expression. Her skin texture reflects her age, yet she still carries the dignified beauty she was known for. Her hair is shorter, with more apparent silver strands blending into her iconic blonde.
In this portrayal, Diana’s visage has matured. There are more defined lines around her mouth and eyes. Her hair is styled more softly, with the color gently transitioning to a dignified silver blonde.
This final image captures a more contemplative Diana, with the subtle sagging of skin that comes with age and eyes that reflect wisdom. Her hair is a sophisticated blend of silver and blonde, cut in a way that frames her face beautifully.
Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, left the stage too soon at 42 on August 16, 1977. His revolutionary blend of musical genres and electrifying performances marked a new era in music and cultural history.
He released numerous songs in the rock and roll genre such as “Jailhouse Rock” and “Hound Dog.” At the time of his death, Presley had sold more than 600 million singles and albums.
After making six appearances in television shows including “Stage Show,” he landed his first acting role in “Love Me Tender,” (1956). Overall, Presley has appeared in 33 films that became box office hits earning $150 million.
Despite a hugely successful showbiz career, strange behaviors and health issues plagued the singer’s final years. His cousin revealed that he was overly paranoid. One time, four men attacked him at a midnight show.
He became convinced that the karate instructor Mike Stone sent them to kill him. This was despite evidence showing that the said men were merely diehard fans. Presley ended up pressing for Stone to die, leading to a medical intervention.
In 1972, his health deteriorated as he overdosed several times and was hospitalized more than once. By 1973, the Hall of Famer ended up in a semicomatose state due to pethidine addiction.
His well-being declined even further in 1974. Keyboardist Tony Brown and guitarist, John Wilkinson revealed that it was evident that Presley was using drugs. They observed a physical decline and slurred speech from him.
Presley’s health worsened so much over time that he needed a full-time nurse. He suffered from chronic pain because of degenerative issues stemming from severe arthritis. The renowned musician died 46 years ago after being discovered unresponsive in the bathroom at his home. He would have been 89 today.
Despite the challenges of his final years, Presley’s influence on music and pop culture remains unparalleled, a legacy that continues to inspire and entertain.
Presley Imagined
The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll is envisioned as an elderly gentleman here. His iconic hair is now a silvery shade. It is slicked back in his traditional style. His face shows the lines and contours of a life fully lived, with a strong jaw still evident beneath the signs of age.
In this image, Presley is pictured with a fuller face, and his skin aging with time. His eyes are still intense. They are softened by the years, and his hair retains its voluminous style, now in a distinguished silver.
This representation shows Presley with more evident aging around his eyes and forehead. Yet, his gaze retains that familiar piercing quality. His hair is styled in his signature manner, now a respectful gray.
Presley appears here with a gentle, yet still charismatic, expression. The texture of his skin suggests his advanced age. His hair remains thick and styled in a way that reminisces his younger years, albeit now in a graceful gray.
The final image presents an aged Presley with deep-set lines and a reflective expression. His hair, though now gray, is still styled in a way that harks back to his days of fame, exuding the charisma he was known for.
Anna Nicole Smith
Anna Nicole Smith’s life was a whirlwind of fame, marked by its highs and lows. As an actress and producer, she was mostly known for her stints in “Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult” (1994) and “Illegal Aliens” (2007).
Apart from her Hollywood career, Smith, a Playboy model, had settled down. She married twice. She had her first child Daniel Wayne in January 1986, whom she shared with her first spouse.
Sadly, Daniel died at age 20 in September 2006. An autopsy report showed that there were three types of drugs found in his system which led to his demise. This left his mother devastated.
The model also suffered the same fate as her son a year later. In her final days, Smith reportedly drifted in and out of consciousness. She was too weak to walk, could not sit up, and had to drink from a baby bottle.
The television personality died in February 2007 at 39, from a drug overdose. Smith passed away five months after giving birth to her daughter, Dannielynn Birkhead.
She welcomed her in September 2006 with her former partner, Larry Birkhead, a photographer. It was two years into their relationship. It has been 24 years since Smith passed on; she would have been 56 years old today. Here is a glimpse of how she would have looked today via AI.
Smith Imagined
This image captures a mature Smith with her signature voluminous blonde waves, though they now show hints of silver. Her face reflects her age with more visible lines and a stately presence.
Smith is shown with deeper lines around the mouth and eyes, her skin showing signs of natural aging. Her eyebrows remain well-defined, and her blonde hair has a classic wave, conveying timeless glamor.
Her expression in this portrayal is one of radiant confidence, with laughter lines accentuating her smile. The maturity in her features is balanced with a youthful sparkle in her eyes.
This depiction gives us a more pensive Smith. Her features settled into an expression of serene composure. The texture of her skin is more reflective of her age, yet she retains an unmistakable allure.
The final image shows Smith with a joyful smile, her face embodying the grace of her years. Her hair, while still characteristically blonde, is now imbued with the dignity of age, flowing in soft, silver-tinged curls.
Patrick Swayze
Patrick Swayze was more than just the heartthrob from “Dirty Dancing” and “Ghost”; he was a fighter. Losing his battle with pancreatic cancer on September 14, 2009, at 57, Swayze left behind a legacy of courage and determination.
His wife, Lisa Niemi, recounted his battle with the disease in an April 2023 interview. She described his symptoms, including yellow eyes, digestive issues, and constant pain.
They went to the doctor who immediately suggested a CT scan. About 24 hours later, the couple received the difficult news. Niemi shared her husband would have liked to have battled cancer privately.
He continued working despite the diagnosis, even shooting a television show. However, the news about his condition eventually made headlines.
In her book, “Worth Fighting For,” Niemi recalled Swayze’s last moments. While caring for her husband, she had been told to look out for a weak pulse, a change in skin color, and a gurgling breath.
“His pulse was strong, but clearly the rest of his body was not in good shape,” Niemi admitted. She revealed that his breathing was “odd” and “shallow.”
However, the movie star’s pulse was “warm” and “strong.” Niemi recounted, “I looked at his face and listened to the tiny sips of air he was taking. Tiny, light sips of air…There was something…delicate…childlike about it.”
At that moment, she knew that the end was near for her spouse. She stood by his side holding his hand and felt his pulse again, while also listening to his childlike breathing. “And then he didn’t breathe anymore,” said Niemi.
The actor and dancer died following a 20-month battle with cancer. His wife and brother, Donny Swayze, were both by his side when he took his last breath at his ranch in Los Angeles. His openness about his illness brought attention to a disease that needed it desperately.
Family and friends remembered Swayze in the documentary, “I Am Patrick Swayze,” in 2019. His childhood sweetheart, whom he wed in 1979, said he fought cancer till the end. “He survived 22 months, which was miraculous with the diagnosis that he received,” she said.
A very frail Patrick Swayze resting on the couch with his cat while in the end-stages of cancer.
The picture was published by his wife shortly after his death. pic.twitter.com/gDIuA2TtLZ
— Scarce Stories (@scarcestories) August 8, 2023
Although Niemi and the film star had been married for years, they never had children together. She said they did have the desire to become parents but she experienced a miscarriage once. Niemie then became too old to bear children. It has been 14 years since her love died, and he would have been 72 today.
Swayze – Imagined
An older Swayze is envisioned with distinguished gray hair, swept back from the face. His jawline remains defined, and his eyes convey a sense of depth and understanding.
In this image, Swayze’s age is more apparent, with visible wrinkles and a rugged texture to his skin. His hair, while gray, remains thick and styled with a casual elegance.
The actor is portrayed with a smile with creases around his eyes. His hair is a distinguished salt-and-pepper, adding to the wisdom of his appearance.
The final image presents Swayze with a compelling gaze, his features carrying the weight of his years gracefully. His hair is predominantly gray, styled in a way that reflects his enduring charisma.
Grace Kelly
Grace Kelly’s life read like a fairy tale: a Hollywood star becomes a real-life princess. From an early age, she had wanted to become an actress. Following her high school graduation in 1947, Kelly moved to New York to pursue her dream.
However, her parents were displeased about her choice to try acting. Nonetheless, she was determined enough and enrolled at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
As a student, Kelly modeled part-time and appeared in advertisements, including magazine covers. She ultimately made her debut on Broadway in 1949. For better opportunities on the silver screen, Kelly later relocated to Southern California.
The actress finally got her big break in the 1950s after appearing in “Rear Window,” “High Society,” and “To Catch a Thief.” She won an Oscar for her role in “The Country Girl,” and became one of the highest-paid actresses.
Kelly met Prince Rainier III of Monaco during a photoshoot at the peak of her career. The couple married in April 1956 and she left her career to become the Princess Consort of Monaco.
She and her husband welcomed three kids: Prince Albert, Princess Caroline, and Princess Stephanie. They all later made her a grandmother. The two princesses are said to have their mother’s striking features.
This also includes Kelly’s granddaughter, Camille Gottlieb. Her parents are Princess Stephanie and former palace guard Jean Raymond Gottlieb. In 2023, the grandchild posted pictures of herself on Instagram and one follower commented, “Gorgeous as your Grandma Grace Kelly. You inherited her beauty.”
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Unfortunately, Kelly did not live long enough to see her grandkids grow up. Her story was cut short by a tragic car accident on September 14, 1982. She reportedly suffered a stroke while driving and lost control of the car. As a result, the mother of three never regained consciousness.
Kelly’s grace, beauty, and dedication to her new role in Monaco left an indelible mark on the world. She passed on 41 years ago at age 52 and would have been 95 today. Here is what she may have looked like to date via AI images.
Kelly – Imagined
In this portrayal, Kelly’s facial features are defined by graceful aging, with her signature bone structure. Her eyes retain a clear, piercing blue, and her hair is neatly coiffed, revealing the stately grace of her years.
This image showcases Kelly with an elegant poise, her face showing that gentle sag and creases of time. Her hair, styled classically, has turned into a soft gray.
The third image presents Kelly with a hint of a smile with lines around her mouth and eyes. Her hair is styled in timeless waves, the color a dignified gray.
This depiction shows a reflective Kelly, with mature skin texture and the natural signs of aging. Her hair is swept back gracefully, showcasing the enduring allure of her distinguished features.
These are images of what might have been. AI reconnects us with the lost icons of the past and reminds us of their lasting influence on the world. Though their stories ended too soon, they continue to resonate, inspiring new generations.
