Christina McVie Richard Young/Shutterstock
Christine McVie’s cause of death was reportedly revealed after her death in November 2022 at age 79.
The former Fleetwood Mac keyboardist died of an ischemic stroke, according to her death certificate obtained by The Blast. An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks or narrows an artery leading to the brain. According to the American Stroke Association, it accounts for about 87 percent of all strokes.
The document also noted that McVie had a “malignant metastasis of unknown primary origin,” meaning the cancer had spread throughout the body but the original site of the tumor could not be identified. The certificate lists cancer as the musician’s secondary cause of death.
McVie’s family announced late last year that the rock icon had died after an undisclosed illness. “On behalf of the family of Christine McVie, it is with a heavy heart that we inform you of the death of Christine,” a representative said in a November 2022 statement. “She passed away peacefully at the hospital this morning, Wednesday, November 30, 2022, after of a brief illness. She was in the company of her family. We kindly ask that you respect the privacy of the family at this extremely painful time, and we would like everyone to keep Christine in her hearts and remember the life of an incredible human being and revered musician who was universally loved. RIP Christine McVie.”
The remaining members of Fleetwood Mac later released a statement paying tribute to their friend and colleague, who joined the band in 1970. “There are no words to describe our sadness at the passing of Christine McVie,” the group said at the time. . “She was truly one of a kind, special and talented beyond measure. She was the best musician anyone could have in her band and the best friend anyone could have in her life. We were so lucky to have a life with her. Individually and together, we deeply appreciate Christine and are grateful for the wonderful memories we have. She will be greatly missed”.
stevie nicksFor her part, she said she only found out that her bandmate was sick days before her death. “I was told a few hours ago that my best friend in the whole world since the first day of 1975 had passed away,” the 74-year-old “Edge of Seventeen” singer said in a handwritten note shared via Instagram in November. 2022. “I didn’t even know I was sick… until Saturday night.”
The Grammy winner went on to say that she wanted to go to London to visit McVie, but was “told to wait.” Nicks then shared the lyrics to Haim’s song “Hallelujah,” explaining that she wanted to sing it to her friend if he got to see her. “I always knew that one day I would need these words,” added the American Horror Story alum.
Christine joined Fleetwood Mac after marrying the bassist John McVie in 1968. The duo broke up in 1976, their tumultuous breakup serving as partial inspiration for the band’s classic 1977 album, Rumours.
After a long hiatus from the group, Christine rejoined Fleetwood Mac in early 2014 and toured with them for their On With the Show tour. The tour brought together the group’s most famous formation: Christine, John, Mick Fleetwood, lindsey buckingham and Nicks.
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In June 2022, Christine told Rolling Stone that she was unsure about going on tour again due to her health. “I don’t feel physically ready for that,” she said at the time. “I am quite in poor health. I have a chronic back problem that makes me weak. I stand up to play the piano, so I don’t know if I could actually do it physically. What is that it says? The mind is willing, but the flesh is weak.
