Sir Cliff Richard Mourns the Loss of His Mother Dorothy After Long Alzheimer’s Battle
Sir Cliff Richard is grieving the death of his beloved mother, Dorothy Webb, who passed away on 16 October at the age of 87 following a long and difficult battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Dorothy died in the residential care home where she had spent her final years. The news was announced through a statement on the singer’s official website, which read: “We are sad to report that Cliff’s mother, Dorothy, passed away on 16 October. She was 87.”
The loss comes after nearly a decade in which Dorothy’s health declined due to the degenerative illness. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 1998, a moment Sir Cliff later described as the beginning of an emotional and personal heartbreak. Speaking candidly in past interviews, the singer admitted that he felt he had been mourning her for years, even before her passing.
“My mother knows nothing about political uproars, about terrorists, she does not know what time it is, does not know what month it is, or how bad the weather is outside,” Sir Cliff said last year. “She is living, but what it does take away is your life. My mother does not have a life. I have talked with my sisters and said I personally felt as though I have already mourned my mum because the person we have with us is not the vibrant woman we all knew.”
Sir Cliff, now 67, was not in the United Kingdom at the time of his mother’s death. He has been in the United States for several weeks and is now arranging to return home for her funeral. A spokeswoman for the star explained: “Sir Cliff has been out of the country for some weeks. From what we understand, the death was quite sudden. He is now making plans to return to the UK for the funeral.”
Dorothy’s journey with Alzheimer’s reshaped her family’s life. Initially, she moved in with one of Sir Cliff’s three sisters, Joan, who cared for her at home. But as the disease progressed and her needs became more complex, the family made the difficult decision to place her in a care facility where she could receive round-the-clock attention.
The transition was not easy. Sir Cliff recalled the emotional toll of that moment: “When we left my mum at the home she used to say, ‘Oh, don’t leave me here.’” Over time, however, the family found comfort in knowing she was receiving the care she needed.
Throughout his mother’s illness, Sir Cliff became a passionate advocate for Alzheimer’s awareness and research. In 2002, he accepted the role of patron for the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, lending his voice and public profile to campaigns that raised tens of thousands of pounds for scientific study.
Rebecca Wood, the charity’s chief executive, paid tribute to his commitment: “We would like to pass on our deepest sympathy to Sir Cliff and his family during this sad time. As a patron of the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, Sir Cliff has done a great deal to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s and is an inspiration to the thousands of families who are affected by this devastating disease. Sir Cliff, our thoughts and condolences are with you.”
For Sir Cliff Richard — one of Britain’s most enduring and celebrated entertainers — this loss marks the end of a long chapter of both devotion and sorrow. Dorothy Webb was not only his mother but also a constant source of support during his rise to stardom, from his early rock ’n’ roll days in the late 1950s to his decades of chart-topping hits.
While Alzheimer’s slowly took her memory and independence, it could not diminish the love between mother and son — a bond that Sir Cliff has carried in his heart throughout her illness and will continue to cherish in the years to come.