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Annette Funicello, member of the original Mickey Mouse Club and star of the 1960s Beach Party movies, died yesterday (April 8) at Mercy Southwest Hospital in Bakersfield, California after a long struggle with multiple sclerosis. She was surrounded by her family and longtime friend Shelley Fabares.

Funicello was born in Utica, New York on October 22, 1942, and moved to California with her family four years later. She was selected by Walt Disney to join the Mickey Mouse Club in 1955 and would become one of its most popular Mouseketeers.

After the Mickey Mouse Club, Funicello made several movies for Disney and launched a pop career, with singles such as “O Dio Mio,” “Tall Paul” and “Pineapple Princess”.

“Tall Paul” – Annette Funicello

Her easy charm and singing talent led to starring roles in the popular Beach Party movie series for which she is perhaps best known. Over two years she starred in “Beach Party” (1963), “Muscle Beach Party” (1964), “Bikini Beach” (1964), “Pajama Party” (1964), “Beach Blanket Bingo” (1965) and “How to Stuff a Wild Bikini” (1965).

“This Time It’s Love” (from “Beach Party) – Annette Funicello

Her co-stars in the Beach Party movies, Frankie Avalon and Donna Loren, have both paid tributes to her on their Facebook pages:

“We have lost one of America’s sweethearts for generations upon generations. I am fortunate enough to have been friends with Annette as well as appear in many films, TV and appearances with her. She will live on forever, I will miss her and the world will miss her” – Frankie Avalon

“Annette was someone I always looked up to from the first time I met her on the Mickey Mouse Club in 1957. We had quite a history stemming from “The Talent Roundup” to the “Beach Party” movies. In the early 80’s I got wind of a “Back To the Beach” film and wrote a song. I called Annette to tell her about the song I had written for the movie and I could hear the gravely sounds of her voice. In the moment I thought “Too many cigarettes?… too many cocktails?”. How was I to know that her body was already being invaded by MS and affecting the sound of her voice. To think that a graceful ballerina became afflicted with a paralyzing disease is a tragic irony. Her life parallels that of Christopher Reeve; Superman physically paralyzed. Annette emanated grace as she lay prone for years. Her mentor, Walt Disney, had the foresight to include in her Disney contract a medical insurance policy for life. At least, that’s what I was told. I am relieved for her Spirit to have finally ascended. She will forever be a symbol of Beauty, inside and out.” – Donna Loren

Annette is survived by her husband, three children, four step-children, 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.