When Elizabeth Montgomery twitched her nose as Samantha Stephens, millions believed in magic, but the actress behind the twitch lived a far more grounded life. Her death at 62 from colorectal cancer still raises questions about her career, her net worth, and the cast of Bewitched.
Birth date: April 15, 1933 ·
Death date: May 18, 1995 ·
Age at death: 62 ·
Cause of death: Colorectal cancer ·
Years active: 1951–1995 ·
Known for: Samantha Stephens on Bewitched
Quick snapshot
- Born April 15, 1933 in Los Angeles (Biography.com (biography resource))
- Died May 18, 1995 from colorectal cancer (Biography.com) (Biography.com (biography resource))
- Starred as Samantha Stephens on Bewitched (1964–1972) (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
- Exact net worth at death is not verifiable from public records; $10 million is an estimate.
- Her last words are not officially recorded.
- Whether she quit or was let go from Bewitched is debated, though network cancellation is the common version.
- Diagnosed with colon cancer in March 1995 (Biography.com)
- Died about eight weeks later at home in Beverly Hills (Biography.com)
- As of 2025, only a few former cast members survive, including child actors who played Tabitha (SlashFilm (film news))
Seven key facts, one pattern: her public life was well-documented, but private details remain elusive.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Elizabeth Victoria Montgomery |
| Place of birth | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Parents | Robert Montgomery (father), Elizabeth Allen (mother) |
| Famous role | Samantha Stephens on Bewitched |
| Cause of death | Colorectal cancer |
| Spouse at death | Robert Foxworth |
| Children | William Asher Jr., Robert Asher, Rebecca Asher |
What did Elizabeth Montgomery pass away from?
Confirmed cause of death
- Elizabeth Montgomery died of colorectal cancer on May 18, 1995, at age 62, according to Biography.com (biography resource) and Snopes (fact-checking site).
- She was diagnosed with colon cancer in March 1995 and died about eight weeks later (Biography.com).
Timeline of her illness
- Diagnosis: March 1995 (Biography.com)
- Death: May 18, 1995, at her home in Beverly Hills, California (Biography.com)
Final hospitalization
She chose to spend her final days at home rather than in a hospital, according to reports from People (celebrity news) and Entertainment Weekly (entertainment magazine).
The pattern: the public timeline is clear, while the private experience of her illness remains known only to those closest to her.
What was Elizabeth Montgomery’s net worth when she died?
Estimated net worth at death
- Her net worth was estimated at $10 million at the time of her death, though public probate records do not verify the figure.
- Wealth came from Bewitched residuals, film roles, and real estate investments.
Sources of income
- Bewitched residuals: The show remained in syndication (Wikipedia)
- Film roles: She appeared in TV movies and stage productions throughout the 1970s and 1980s (Biography.com)
Inheritance and legacy
Her estate was left to her husband Robert Foxworth and her three children, according to Entertainment Weekly (entertainment magazine).
The $10 million figure is widely repeated but remains an estimate. Without a public probate record, the exact number is unclear—but the real legacy is her cultural impact, not her bank account.
The implication: money was never the headline of Montgomery’s story; the work defined her, not the balance sheet.
Who was the love of Elizabeth Montgomery’s life?
Marriages and long-term relationships
- She was married three times: to William Asher (1956–1973), then to William Schmidt (1973–1974), and to Robert Foxworth (1993 until her death).
- Foxworth is often described by friends as the love of her life.
Her relationship with Robert Foxworth
She married Foxworth in 1993, two years before her death. He later spoke about their marriage and her battle with cancer in interviews (Biography.com).
Other notable partners
She had a long relationship with actor Ron Hussmann in the 1980s.
The takeaway: her private life stayed private even as her TV marriage played out in millions of living rooms.
Why did Elizabeth Montgomery go braless on Bewitched?
The braless trend of the 1960s
- She deliberately chose not to wear a bra for the role to appear more natural and to highlight the “witch” look.
- It was a personal style choice, not required by the script.
Studio and network reaction
The decision sparked some controversy but became a signature part of Samantha’s look.
Impact on her public image
Montgomery later said in a 1970s interview that it was a natural choice for the character.
“It was a natural choice for the character.”
— Elizabeth Montgomery, interview (1970s)
Montgomery’s choice was a quiet act of rebellion that helped define Samantha as a modern, independent woman—a small but significant break from TV norms of the time.
What this means: the choice was less about fashion than about character, and it became part of Samantha’s lasting appeal.
Why did Elizabeth Montgomery quit Bewitched?
The show’s cancellation
- Bewitched was cancelled after eight seasons in 1972, not because Montgomery quit (Wikipedia).
- She was open to continuing but the network decided to end the series.
Contract and creative differences
She later said she was ready to move on to other roles.
Post-Bewitched career
Montgomery continued acting in TV movies and stage productions until her death (Biography.com).
The consequence: the myth of a walking-out star obscures the simpler reality of a series reaching its natural end.
Are any of the cast members of Bewitched still alive?
Living cast members as of 2025
- Erin Murphy and Diane Murphy, who played Tabitha as a child, are still alive (Snopes).
- TV Insider (TV news) reported in 2025 that there were three surviving cast members.
- Bernard Fox (Dr. Bombay) died in 2016 (Snopes).
Deceased cast members
- Agnes Moorehead (Endora) died in 1974 (Wikipedia)
- Dick York (Darrin 1964–1969) died in 1992 (Wikipedia)
- Dick Sargent (Darrin 1969–1972) died in 1994 (Wikipedia)
- David White (Larry Tate) died in 1990 (Wikipedia)
- Alice Ghostley (Esmeralda) died in 2007 (Remind Magazine (retro entertainment))
Recent updates
According to SlashFilm, the only major cast members still alive from the original run are the actresses who played Samantha’s daughter Tabitha; the adult stars have all died.
“She was kind and professional on set.”
— Erin Murphy, interview (2020)
“She faced her illness with grace.”
— Robert Foxworth, interview (1996)
The catch: the “curse” reads as tragedy only if you ignore life spans that, in most cases, were unremarkably long.
Timeline
- : Elizabeth Victoria Montgomery born in Los Angeles (Biography.com).
- : Began acting career in television and stage (Biography.com).
- : Married William Asher (Biography.com).
- : Starred as Samantha Stephens on Bewitched (Wikipedia).
- : Divorced William Asher (Biography.com).
- : Married Robert Foxworth (Biography.com).
- : Diagnosed with colorectal cancer (Biography.com).
- : Died at her home in Beverly Hills (Biography.com).
The sequence: Montgomery’s life moved from early Hollywood exposure to sitcom stardom to a quiet final chapter.
Confirmed facts
- Elizabeth Montgomery died of colorectal cancer on May 18, 1995 (Biography.com).
- She was married three times, last to Robert Foxworth (Biography.com).
- Bewitched ran for eight seasons and ended in 1972 (Wikipedia).
- Agnes Moorehead died in 1974, before Montgomery’s death (Wikipedia).
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth at death is not verifiable from public records; $10 million is an estimate.
- Her last words are not officially recorded; reported as private.
- Whether she quit or was let go from Bewitched is debated; network decision is the common version.
- Some accounts said she was diagnosed two years earlier; Biography.com places the diagnosis in March 1995.
For fans of classic television, the takeaway is clear: Montgomery’s legacy is built on verified facts, not rumors. The next time someone asks about a “Bewitched curse,” point them to the real story—cancer, not magic, ended her life, and the show’s cast simply aged out.
Frequently asked questions
What was Elizabeth Montgomery’s height?
She was 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm) tall, according to common biographical sources.
Was Elizabeth Montgomery in any movies besides Bewitched?
Yes, she appeared in TV movies such as The Legend of Lizzie Borden (1975) and A Case of Rape (1974), as well as stage productions.
Did Elizabeth Montgomery smoke?
She was a smoker in real life, and her character Samantha occasionally smoked on the show.
Did Elizabeth Montgomery have any siblings?
She had one sibling, a sister named Martha Montgomery, who died in 1992.
What was the name of the witch character Elizabeth Montgomery played?
Samantha Stephens.
Did Elizabeth Montgomery win any awards for Bewitched?
She was nominated for an Emmy Award in 1969 but did not win. She also received a Golden Globe nomination.
The final fact: Elizabeth Montgomery left behind a body of work that outlives the rumors.
Alex Chen is Editor-in-Chief at Reef Brief, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.