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After Losing His Life-Long Job, This Old Man Became the Company Owner a Month Later – Today’s Story

When Edward Morris received the layoff email, it felt like time stood still for him.

For many years, Edward had been the cornerstone of the company now called WintersTech, an IT firm he had been involved with since its very beginning. He was hardworking, systematic, and steadfastly loyal. Even though Edward was past retirement age, his vibrant energy and keen intellect made him an indispensable employee—so much so that no one ever suggested he should take a back seat. At least, that’s what he thought.

On a dreary Wednesday morning in January, an email landed in Edward’s inbox. The email’s subject line was: “Important Notice: Corporate Restructuring.” His stomach dropped as he clicked it open and saw the words:

“We’re sorry to share that we will be making significant cuts to our workforce as we implement our new corporate structure…”

As Edward continued reading, he realized he was just one of many employees facing termination. The message was clear: “Unless you hear otherwise, you should view the layoff as permanent.” His heart raced in his chest as he scrolled down, looking for some kind of explanation.

A line caught his attention: the founder, Russell, had just passed ownership of WintersTech to his sole grandson, Grant. Under Grant’s leadership, the company was making significant cuts to expenses, which included letting go of long-time employees deemed “unproductive” or “no longer aligned with the new vision.”

Edward felt utterly crushed by the realization. He had dedicated his entire life to that place, collaborating with Russell from the very beginning, helping to mold the company’s values. The younger crowd appeared to view him as merely an old relic—a placeholder in the room. His vision was on the verge of being blurred by tears. At the age of ninety, still strong and committed, Edward suddenly felt as if he had been discarded like an old piece of equipment.

With a tight grip on his emotions, Edward bit his lip as he logged off his workstation. His colleagues, equally taken aback, quietly gathered their things, the air thick with disbelief. Some cried openly, others muttered curses under their breath, and a few simply stood there in silence, as if stunned by the betrayal.

Edward had never imagined this day would arrive, especially not from Russell’s grandson. Edward had been friends with Russell for years, even lending a hand in shaping WintersTech during its early days. However, the new boss, Grant, seemed to think that Edward was too old to stick around. Edward imagined the self-satisfied smirk on Grant’s face as he let go of the staff, congratulating himself for “modernizing” the company.

With his hands shaking, Edward gathered the few personal belongings from his desk into a worn cardboard box—a couple of family photos, a coffee mug from a company anniversary, and a plaque celebrating his years of service. He couldn’t fathom that this was the conclusion, his eyes stinging with tears.

He walked away silently, his shoulders drooping, making his way back to the little apartment he had called home for so long, all by himself. Long ago, his only son had moved overseas, and it had been several years since Edward’s wife passed away from cancer. When he closed his door, there was no one around to inquire about his day or to offer solace for his heartbreak. He stood in his quiet living room, the layoff notice echoing in his mind: “You are no longer needed here.”

In the weeks that came after, Edward found it hard to adapt. His entire sense of self was intertwined with his job. He had never found retirement appealing—why step away when you still have a passion for your work? Without that routine, he felt adrift. He thought about taking on some small side projects, like gardening, volunteering, or even starting a blog. Yet, nothing seemed to fill the emptiness.

One morning, roughly a month after the layoff, Edward found himself stirring a solitary pot of oatmeal when his phone suddenly rang, displaying an unfamiliar number on the screen. He nearly let it go to voicemail, thinking it was just another telemarketer, but curiosity got the better of him and he decided to pick up.

“Hello?” he asked, a hint of uncertainty in his voice.

A calm voice replied, “Is this Edward Morris I’m speaking to?”

“Hello, who am I speaking with?”

I’m Jack Coleman. I represent the estate of the late Mr. Russell. I’m reaching out to let you know that Mr. Russell has recently passed away. In his final wishes, he made it clear that he wanted you to have full ownership of WintersTech. <text”Could you please come by my office so we can finalize the documents? I’d really appreciate it.”

Edward felt his heart racing. “That just can’t be right.” He handed the company over to his grandson, Grant, just a month back.

The lawyer spoke with a steady yet assertive tone. “That was just a temporary setup, Mr. Morris, part of Mr. Russell’s strategy to evaluate specific elements of leadership.” Before his passing, Mr. Russell updated his will. He handed over his shares, giving you effective control of WintersTech, along with a letter detailing his reasons.

Edward nearly let the phone slip from his grasp. “But that’s absolutely ridiculous!” I never saw that coming— Why on earth would he do something like that? “I can’t believe I was let go by his grandson, of all people!”

Mr. Coleman took a moment to clear his throat. “I think Mr. Russell might have had some regrets regarding certain choices.” He hoped you would have the chance to lead the company. Also, he asked that you… I can give you more details when you get here.

Edward felt a storm of tension brewing in his mind. Russell had disappeared? Had the founder, a man he once considered a friend, really entrusted the entire company to him? Harold was overwhelmed with sadness over the loss of a friend, and he couldn’t shake off the feeling of confusion that accompanied it. “I’ll be there right away,” he said to the lawyer.

On that very day, Edward put on his finest suit—a straightforward navy outfit he had previously worn to formal corporate events—and hopped into a cab heading to Mr. Coleman’s law office. The waiting area felt cold and quiet, yet Edward’s thoughts were a whirlwind of questions. At last, Mr. Coleman led him into a conference room adorned with rich wood paneling, and to his surprise, there was Grant as well.

Grant appeared quiet and reserved, a far cry from the bold character Edward had envisioned. He glanced up to catch Edward’s gaze, a brief flash of guilt passing over his face.

Mr. Coleman pushed a few sheets of paper over the table. “Mr. Morris, here is the updated will that Mr. Russell signed two weeks ago.” It clearly indicates that when he passes away, you will regain full ownership, including shares and the controlling interest of WintersTech. You’ve become the new majority shareholder.

Grant took a deep, shaky breath. “I understand you dislike me, Mr. Morris.” You absolutely have that right. I acted harshly, letting go of anyone I deemed too old or unproductive. I aimed to show Grandpa that I could be just as tough a businessman as he is. Grant took a deep breath. “But he passed away, and in his last note, he acknowledged my mistakes.” He expected me to confront them—and he relied on you to steer the company in the right direction. I can’t challenge the will. Grandpa entrusted the last decision to you.

Edward’s eyes filled with tears. “Russell passed away without sharing anything with me…” I never had the opportunity to say goodbye. He took a moment to gather his thoughts as he read the letter from Russell. It detailed how he had entrusted the daily operations to Grant, with the hope that Grant would come to understand the importance of humility and empathy. Instead, Grant had wielded the axe too liberally, letting go of longtime employees like Edward. Understanding that his grandson required guidance, Russell had made it clear that Edward should take ownership—and that he was to avoid firing Grant out of spite, instead focusing on mentoring him effectively.

Edward placed the letter on the table, trying to clear the tears from his eyes. He gradually stood up from his chair, moving around the table to confront Grant. The young man recoiled, bracing himself for an angry outburst. “You fired me,” Edward said quietly, “after I had dedicated my entire life to WintersTech.” I have to confess, I really disliked you in that moment. I really believed you had no feelings at all. However, I don’t feel any urge for revenge.

Grant’s eyes widened in astonishment. “Wait… you’re not going to fire me, are you?”

Edward sighed wearily. “Russell gave me more than just ownership.” He asked me to show you what it really means to run a business—leading with wisdom rather than arrogance. I have to honor his final wish. If you’re looking to stay with the company, you’ll need to work under my guidance. You’ll discover humility just like I did, starting from the very basics.

Grant felt a wave of relief wash over him, his shoulders dropping in response. “Mr. Morris, I sincerely apologize for what I did.” Ambition consumed me; I was determined to show the world that I could be the standout CEO. I truly regret letting you and all the dedicated team members go. <text”I’m committed to doing whatever it takes to make this right.”

Edward extended his hand, placing it gently on the younger man’s shoulder. “There’s still time, Grant.” Just so you know, I’m in charge now, and I intend to steer the company in the direction that Russell and I always dreamed of from the start. If that means bringing back employees who shouldn’t have been let go in the first place, then so be it. If that means putting aside your pride and learning from me, then that’s the journey you need to embark on.

Grant nodded enthusiastically. “I’ll give it my all, sir.”

Edward glanced at Mr. Coleman, who gave him an encouraging nod. “Congratulations, Mr. Morris!” According to Mr. Russell’s final testament, you are the rightful owner. <text”I recommend that we move forward with the legal formalities right away.”

In the coming weeks, Edward threw himself fully into the business. Strolling through the halls of WintersTech as the boss felt oddly surreal, particularly after being abruptly let go just a month earlier. The employees stared in disbelief, with many erupting in cheers at his return. Morale soared as news circulated that Edward planned to address the errors made during the mass layoffs. He brought back several dedicated employees who had been unjustly dismissed, setting up committees to evaluate the processes.

Grant found himself back in a position that was a significant step down from the CEO role. Every day, he followed Edward closely, picking up skills in managing client relationships, developing products, and finding ways to boost team morale. Though it was tough for him to accept the humiliation, Edward provided support and understanding. There were times when Grant felt frustrated with Edward’s detailed approach, but Edward would kindly remind him, “You can’t skip the basics, my boy.” Respect is earned through hard work, not by showing off authority.

Over time, Grant began to grow. He began to take a real interest in the well-being of his employees, organized staff lunches to listen to their concerns, and offered apologies to those he had wronged. As the months went by, the atmosphere at WintersTech began to settle, slowly bringing back the warmth that had faded away. With Edward at the helm, the firm reached impressive new levels— sales surged, and employee turnover dropped significantly. Investors were drawn to the story: the seasoned veterans coming back to infuse genuine passion into the company.

As the years passed, Edward held onto the passion that had always fueled him. He was old, sure, but he wouldn’t let age hold him back. “Whether you’re old or young,” he often remarked, “really depends on how you think about it.” He showed Grant that true brilliance isn’t just in recent college grads; it’s in anyone who is committed to perfecting their skills, regardless of how old they are.

At last, when Edward sensed that Grant was genuinely prepared, he called for a meeting with everyone involved. Edward stood at the podium in the main conference hall, speaking to the staff. “I feel honored to have been able to lead this company back to the vision that Russell and I once shared.” I’ve come to a moment where I feel it’s time for me to step back. “Let new leaders carry on the journey.”

Gasps and whispers spread among the crowd. Grant stood in the front row, his eyes wide with anxiety. “Mr. Morris?” he started, but Edward raised a hand to stop him.

“No need to worry,” Edward said with a warm smile. “I won’t abandon you.” I’ve made the decision to appoint Grant as the new CEO, starting right away. He’s picked up lessons from his errors—and from my guidance. Let’s place our trust in him, as that was Russell’s desire. And mine too.

Cheers filled the air. Some employees still remembered Grant’s earlier mistakes, but they had also seen how he had changed. Tears welled in Grant’s eyes as he stepped onto the stage, grasping Edward’s hand firmly. “Thanks,” he murmured. “I promise I won’t let you down.”

Edward moved to the side, a wave of relief flooding through him. Honestly, the everyday hustle had become exhausting, and he longed for retirement at last. This time, he was in control. When Edward met Grant’s gaze, memories of that painful day flooded back—the day he walked out of the office with a brown box filled with his things. It seemed like a far-off nightmare at this point.

As Edward said his goodbyes to his team, he made one final round of the office, stopping briefly at the cubicles, the lounge, and the boardroom. He felt a wave of gratitude for Russell, the longtime friend who made sure Edward received the recognition he truly deserved. In his passing, Russell had corrected a mistake caused by his grandson’s hubris. Edward had transformed his arrogance into humility, shaping Grant into a leader deserving of carrying the torch.

As Edward stepped through the front doors for the last time, a strange sense of calm washed over him, leaving him feeling oddly satisfied. He had no regrets weighing him down. His phone buzzed with a message from Grant: “Thank you, Mr. Morris, for believing in me even when I gave you every reason not to.” Edward quickly typed a reply, “Thanks, Russell.” I’m simply honoring his last request.

Weeks into his retirement, Edward wandered through a nearby park, savoring the fresh air around him. For the first time, he found himself with the time to take in the simple joys of life—children laughing and playing, birds singing, and the sun shining brightly in the sky above. He couldn’t help but remember the day he read that layoff email, tears welling up in his eyes. He was on the verge of letting bitterness take over him in that moment. But in a surprising turn of events, everything changed. Fate had taken him from shame to owning the whole business. He thought to himself that the unpredictability of life can truly be astonishing at times.

He laughed at the memory of the younger employees who had once brushed him off as “too old.” In his situation, age turned out to be just a number. In the end, he emerged victorious: he not only restored his own dignity but also saved the company from a misguided leader, helping that leader grow into a better version of themselves.

Maybe someday, Grant would share these lessons with others. Perhaps a future generation will rise to the occasion, learning not to overlook the value of the old and wise. Ultimately, that was the legacy Edward aimed to create.

The tale of Edward Morris—wrongfully dismissed at the age of ninety, only to reclaim his rightful place as the owner of WintersTech—began to circulate among the employees, taking on the essence of a contemporary fable. They advised the newcomers: “Always value everyone, particularly those with gray hair and years of wisdom.”

What about Edward? He discovered a sense of tranquility in retirement, feeling assured that he had honored Russell’s memory, the company, and himself in the best way possible. Whenever Grant looked at the plaque in his CEO office that said “Lead With Integrity,” he couldn’t help but silently express his gratitude to Edward for the second chance he had almost squandered.

So, what started as a harsh firing turned into a story of vindication and redemption—a reminder that sometimes, an older person can outlast even the boldest youthful ambition.

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Dancer gets lifetime ban after incident in Super Bowl halftime show

A Super Bowl dancer has been hit with a lifetime NFL ban after unfurling a Sudanese-Palestinian flag during Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show, it has been revealed.

As is the case every year, this year’s Super Bowl became a major talking point, generating all manner of stories, rumors, and elements of viral interest. The game itself saw the Philadelphia Eagles claim victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, thus crushing Travis Kelce and co’s dreams of a three-peat.

Having fallen 35-38 to the Chiefs back in February 2023, the Eagles cruised to victory on Sunday (February 9) with a dominant display that saw them run out 40-22 winners.

Yet no self-respecting Super Bowl could ever be complete without a jaw-dropping halftime show, and this year’s offering saw Kendrick Lamar take the stage at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

In a 13-minute showcase that featured 11 songs, as well as a live collaboration with SZA, and cameos from the likes of Serena Williams, Samuel L. Jackson and DJ Mustard, Lamar did his utmost to bury rival Drake (with whom he beefed last year).

Suffice to say there were no end of eye-catching, provocative moments rendered throughout the performance, no shortage of things for people to discuss and deliberate online in the days following.

That included the surprise moment a man posing as one of Kendrick’s back-up dancers sought to interrupt the show by unfurling and proceeding to wave a Sudanese-Palestinian flag.

The banner in question had “Gaza” and “Sudan” written on it, a reference to the conflict the countries of Sudan and Palestine are currently embroiled in.

The flag made its first appearance as the ‘dancer’ stood atop a prop car, which he soon hopped off of before running around the field. Ultimately he was tackled by security and led from the stadium. Now, three days after the fact, reports have named the man as one Zul-Qarnain Nantambu.

Not only that, but the NFL have confirmed that the disrupter has been hit with a lifetime ban from attending football matches after his stunt at the Super Bowl.

“We commend security for quickly detaining the individual who displayed the flag,” the NFL said to UPI, as per Yahoo. “He was part of the 400-member field cast. The individual hid the item on his person and unveiled it late in the show.

“No one involved with the production was aware of the individual’s intent. The individual will be banned for life from all NFL stadiums and events.”

The man himself told NBC: “And I know it would invigorate their faith, seeing somebody supporting them and thinking about them on such a grand stage to bring awareness to that, to their struggles.

“Maybe we don’t have the military prowess to stop the war, but we can at least do what we can to help those who are afflicted by these different atrocities in these countries.”

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King Charles’ cancer giving Palace a headache, claims expert

King Charles is continuing his royal duties while also still undergoing cancer treatment, that much has been made clear. It was reported late last year that the monarch, who received his cancer diagnosis a year ago, would continue with his treatment into 2025.

With plans for a new state visit abroad having been laid out, it’s perhaps offered an indication that Charles’ treatment is going well. However, not everyone is convinced that things are going to get easier, with one expert claiming that the Palace faces tough times ahead.

King Charles has been through plenty in the last year, and as he grows older, so to do his friends and family members. He sadly lost his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, two years ago, and last year, his longtime friend Ian Farquhar tragically died after an accident in his home. Now, tragedy has struck again as King Charles grieves a person close to his heart.

Charles’ reign has had a rocky start. The monarch first had to put a lot of energy into his son, Prince Harry, and his wife, Meghan Markle, after all the accusations and claims they made about the Royal Family, before last year receiving the shocking news that he has cancer.

Over the course of the past year, Charles has undergone cancer treatment. And while he was supposedly well enough to pause his treatment for the Australia & Samoa state visit he and Camilla undertook, he still hasn’t fully recovered.

Very early on, King Charles made the decision to reveal that he had cancer, even though it was reported that Camilla was against him disclosing his diagnosis. The fact that he did had a significant impact in the UK, with the number of people visiting websites for testing themselves skyrocketing.

Charles had reportedly hoped it could help others if he disclosed his cancer diagnosis – and it appears as though he definitely difference. A week after the monarch broke the news, he then released his own personal message to the country.

“I would like to express my most heartfelt thanks for the many messages of support and good wishes I have received in recent days,” he said. “As all those who have been affected by cancer will know, such kind thoughts are the greatest comfort and encouragement,” Charles wrote.

Update on King Charles’ cancer treatment

He continued: “It is equally heartening to hear how sharing my own diagnosis has helped promote public understanding and shine a light on the work of all those organizations which support cancer patients and their families across the UK and wider world. My lifelong admiration for their tireless care and dedication is all the greater as a result of my own personal experience.”

Exactly what kind of cancer King Charles was diagnosed with is still not known. However, as per Sky News, the monarch has regularly attended private appointments in London. Shortly before Christmas, the news outlet reported that Charles will continue with his cancer treatment in 2025.

Moreover, sources said his treatment “has been moving in a positive direction.” Speaking to Sky, Laura Lee, chief executive of the cancer support charity Maggie’s–which Queen Camilla is president of–said it’s not rare that cancer treatment takes time.

“It’s very common for treatment to be ongoing for very long periods of time, as is the treatment that the Princess of Wales went through, which is an intense period of treatment over a year, and then it comes to a point where it’s on an end, and she’s on that recovery from some of the impacts of her treatment,” Lee told Sky News.

“So we’ve got immunotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery, hormone therapy. There are all sorts of different treatment modalities. And so it’s not surprising at all.”

She continued: “What we’ve heard from our centre visitors, it’s been good that they haven’t just shone a light on one specific cancer type, but they’ve shone a light on cancer as a whole, and that there’s varying treatment and varying impacts and varying different ways of navigating the challenges that cancer bring. And I think that approach has been much more effective and positive for the cancer community. I know firsthand that everyone is so grateful to them for doing that.”

Set to travel to Italy as part of state visit

Charles has taken some time away from his royal duties while undergoing cancer treatment. Meanwhile, Camilla and his son, Prince William, have supported him by taking on a number of engagements, including some abroad. Now though, it’s been said that King Charles will travel to Italy for a state visit in April, accompanied by his wife.

In early February, Buckingham Palace announced that Charles and Camilla would visit Italy and the Holy See in early April. The king and queen will meet Pope Francis to mark the celebration of the 2025 Catholic Holy Year. The couple will take on engagements in both Ravenna and Rome, where they will be  “celebrating the strong bilateral relationship between Italy and the United Kingdom,” the palace said.

For Charles, it will be his 17th trip to Italy and his first overseas trip this year as monarch. Speaking to GB News, King Charles’ former butler Grant Harrold praised his former employer’s careful approach to the state visit and consideration of his health.

“I think also he’s getting on a little bit, obviously he’s a little bit older. I mean when his mother became Queen and she was undertaking state visits, obviously she was a lot younger. I think because of obviously his age and his recent health and everything, they’ve probably just kind of been sensible about how they plan these kind of things. This is already his ninth visit since becoming king,” he said.

The former royal butler continued: “I just think they’re probably just planning it carefully and trying to make the most of his time while he’s overseas. With all state visits, it can be just for a couple of days or up to about a week. I’m not too sure exactly how long he’s there for. But again, these kinds of things, when they get planned, they make the most of it.”

Royal expert shares concerning pictures of King Charles

Harrold continued by saying that he believes King Charles is “doing really well ” and is “very positive” despite the tough treatment.

“The amazing thing is that they have this resilience just to carry on. And that’s what he’s very much doing is we know he’s great. He’s a great example.”

The fact that Charles is back on track despite his cancer treatment is, of course, an excellent sign. However, not everyone is entirely confident that things are as good as they seem. Writing for News.com.au, royal expert Daniela Elser wrote about a newly taken photo of Charles, comparing it to one just taken four years ago. She said that the “ordinary” looking photo proved “the desperate situation that’s unfolding behind Palace Gates.”

She wrote that the 2020 picture, taken in Jerusalem, Israel, showed the “unmistakable” difference in King Charles’ appearance, which is “painfully hard to ignore. “

“The King might have been all smiles at church in late January, but Buckingham Palace is today facing down a previously unheard of, never-considered royal scenario — how to keep Crown Inc going in the time of an aging, cancer-battling monarch who is increasingly rattling around the Palace, stranded and with fewer than ever people to call on,” Elser wrote in a column for News.com.au, continuing by comparing him to the late Queen Elizabeth II.

“As he ages and as he battles cancer, he has only very few working members of the royal family left he can rely on and delegate to in order to help him shoulder the load,” Elser added.

King Charles has lost two great friends in one year

Although Charles is staying positive despite the very tough 12 months that have been, he has also faced some quite heartbreaking times. In 2022, he lost his dear mother, Queen Elizabeth II, which led to him assuming the throne. The world mourned the late queen, who spent more than 70 years as the United Kingdom’s head of state.

“The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family,” Charles said in a statement at the time.

“We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother.  I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world. “

Later in a speech, he turned to his late “darling mama,” saying: “As you begin your last great journey to join my dear late Papa, I want simply to say this: thank you. Thank you for your love and devotion to our family and to the family of nations you have served so diligently all these years. May ‘flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest.’”

Sadly, it’s not only his mother Charles has lost in recent years. In March 2024, his longtime friend Ian Farquhar suddenly passed away, and just months ago, details about his passing became known.

Known as “The Captain,” Ian Farquhar was a close friend of Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles. He died after becoming trapped between his bed and a wall at his home. His daughter, Victoria, issued a statement after his passing, describing how he loved horses. Tragically, alcohol was a problem.

“He went to Eton then joined the military and went to Sandhurst, he became the queen mother’s equerry, he said he was essentially the queen mother’s bodyguard. He was a huge lover of horses and would go on hunts where there would be a dinner afterwards.”

King Charles “deeply saddened” by his good friend Ian Farquhar’s passing

The statement continued: “The amount of drinking was considered normal for the activity but as time went on we thought he had a drinking problem. He would drink a litre of gin and a couple of bottles of wine in a day. He did try and stop and he would for a couple of weeks, doctors advised Ian that if he did not look after himself he would die.”

Now, Charles has suffered another heartbreak. On Tuesday, he announced the sad news that his close friend and spiritual leader, The Aga Khan, passed away in Lisbon, Portugal, surrounded by his family at age 88. The Aga Khan, also known as Prince Karim, and King Charles have often been pictured together on royal engagements. He even celebrated his Golden and Diamond Jubilees with Queen Elizabeth II, who held a dinner in his honor.

The late Aga Khan, considered one of the wealthiest people in the world, was also the Founding Patron of the King’s Trust. As per Town & Country, King Charles is “deeply saddened” by Prince Karim’s death. He is said to have been in touch with the family privately.

The Aga Khan Foundation said in a statement: “His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, Aga Khan IV, 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), passed away peacefully in Lisbon on 4 February 2025, aged 88, surrounded by his family.”

Do you think King Charles, at some point, will decide to abdicate, or do you believe he will sit on the throne until he dies? Please share this article on Facebook with friends and family and give us your opinion!

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Sylvester Stallone’s 1st wife pleaded with their son to skip dental surgery weeks before his death in 2012

There’s simply nothing worse in life than losing a child, and this no matter what the child’s age – whether not yet born or a grown adult.

Sylvester Stallone can attest to this first hand – it’s no secret that the legendary Hollywood actor tragically lost his first-born, Sage Stallone, in 2012.

What’s perhaps less well known is the fact that Stallone’s ex-wife and Sage’s mom, Sasha Czack, had insisted that Sage avoid undergoing a major dental surgery just weeks before he died.

Before the official cause of Sage’s sudden and untimely death became known, theories were abound – people suspected everything from drugs, to alcohol, to suicide. But the truth would ultimately be more heartbreaking than anyone could have imagined.

Tough Childhood, Tough Adulthood

Experiencing the loss of a child is an unspeakable predicament. But Sylvester “Rocky Balboa” Stallone unfortunately had it tough even before the unfathomable loss of his son, who died at just 36 years of age.

In many ways, Stallone’s actual life had a lot in common with the legendary Rocky Balboa character that rendered him one of Hollywood’s most popular actors.

Before he was forced to grow up tough, Sylvester was born tough. Greeting life was no easy feat, and he came out fighting. A problem during his delivery led to one of his facial nerves being severed, paralyzing a part of his tongue and chin.

This precise accident and its outcome is in fact what has led to Stallone’s trademark snarl, which one might say in many ways contributed to his popularity as a public figure – but as a child, the impact was far from positive.

Stallone was heavily bullied for his disfigurement, and he has reported feeling like “Mr. Potato Head” with parts of his face in the wrong place. To make matters worse, Stallone did not have a safe place to come home to: his father was abusive and his mother cold, only “kissing him twice” throughout his entire childhood.

Unsurprisingly, this produced a rather unstable kid out of Stallone. He frequently got himself into trouble. By the time he was 12 years old, he’d already been kicked out of 13 schools and broken 11 bones for a variety of reasons, such as jumping off a roof with an umbrella.

Stallone’s path eventually led him towards bodybuilding, and then acting. Before reaching his incredible fame, Stallone spent years barely surviving. He has spoken about experiencing homelessness, sleeping at the Port Authority in Manhattan.

During those tough times, he braved the harsh New York winters with just one coat. Reflecting on its importance in an interview, he shared, ”That coat saved my life.”

Things took a drastic turn for the good after he was cast in the first of the Rocky series in 1976.

From Rags to Riches

Not long before Stallone met fame and fortune, he met and married his first wife, photographer and director Sasha Czack. Together they had two sons, Sage, born in 1976 and Seargeoh, in 1979.

Sylvester and Sage Stallone on September 10, 1990 at Hanson Galleries in Beverly Hills, California | Photo: Getty Images
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Sylvester and Czack split in 1985 and later that same year, he married model and actress Brigitte Nielsen. That relationship would also unfortunately fail, and they divorced just two years later.

Third time’s a charm, as they say, and in 1997, Stallone married model and entrepreneur Jennifer Flavin, with whom he is still married and shares three daughters: Sophia, Sistine, and Scarlet Stallone.

An Untimely Death

Stallone’s life, one might say, was therefore full of both highs and lows. But certainly no low could compare to the time he lost his first-born Sage.

A film enthusiast and entrepreneur, Sage Stallone, also dabbled with acting throughout his short 36 years of life. He even appeared in a few movies alongside his dad, such as Rocky V and Daylight.

Sage was the founder of Grindhouse Releasing, which worked to remaster, restore, and preserve films.

On July 13, 2012, Sage was discovered dead in his Los Angeles-area apartment by his housekeeper. Speculations about the possible cause of death began spreading almost immediately.

At first, there was some confusion around Sage’s exact time of death, with some media outlets reporting that he may have been dead for a few days before he was found. This rumor was eventually refuted, with evidence surfacing of a final Facebook post shared just 17 hours before his body was discovered.

Further rumors emerged, including one that claimed that Sage had a room stacked with liquor bottles. This in turn led to the theory that Sage’s death was related to drug or alcohol abuse.

Sylvester and Sage Stallone filming "Rocky V" in 1990 | Photo: Getty Images
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Sage’s longtime friend and attorney George Braunstein helped put these theories to rest. According to Braunstein, while Sage did smoke and consumed candy and soda, he didn’t drink alcohol. Indeed the ‘suspect’ bottles in his room were simply Dr. Brown’s Cream Soda.

“Sage was a really young, very sensitive, and very talented kid. There has been no indication that there was anything wrong in his life,” Braunstein said, adding that Sage never had any serious health problems or a history of drug or alcohol abuse.

Sage Stallone at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California in 1994 | Photo: Getty Images
Sage Stallone at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California in 1994 | Photo: Getty Images

Suicide, yet another rumor that was circulating around Sage’s mysterious death, was also finally ruled out as a possibility. No suicide note was ever found, not to mention that the young man was preparing to marry his longtime girlfriend.

“He was very creative, energetic and very full of life,” Braunstein told E! News. “There was nothing dark or depressing, no problems, certainly no financial problems.”

“The final cause of death has been deferred for additional testing,” the coroner’s office said in a statement. “No results will be released until testing is complete—six to eight weeks minimum. LAPD has requested a security hold on further details related to the death.”

A Father’s Grief

As rumors circulated around Sage’s death, Stallone requested respect and privacy for the family, adding that there is no greater pain for a parent than the loss of their child.

He asked the public to remember Sage with fondness and to stand in empathy with him and his ex-wife, Czack.

“I am imploring people to respect my wonderfully talented son’s memory and feel compassion for his loving mother Sasha, because this agonizing loss will be felt for the rest of our lives,” he said.

Sylvester Stallone on March 13, 2014 in New York City | Photo: Getty Images
Sylvester Stallone on March 13, 2014 in New York City | Photo: Getty Images

Stallone added that as his first born, Sage held a very precious place in his heart.

“Sage was our first child and the center of our universe and I am humbly begging for all to have my son’s memory and soul left in peace,” he said.

The Truth Unveiled

Eventually it was revealed that Sage had undergone dental surgery two weeks before dying – despite his mother begging him not to.

“I told him not to do that. I’ve heard about people dying having multiple procedures done to your mouth,” she said. “Do not have more than one tooth [pulled].”

Despite this, Sage went ahead and had five teeth removed. He subsequently took painkillers to ease his discomfort, Czack said. Two weeks later, he was dead.

In late August 2012, the truth behind Sage’s death was finally revealed: Autopsy reports confirmed that Sage died of atherosclerosis, a hardening of the arteries, which brought on a heart attack. The toxicology report showed there were traces of pain medication in his system, but no overdose had occurred.

The Way Forward

Stallone described the wait for the cause of death as a “very tough” couple of weeks and a truly grief-stricken time.

Stallone tried hard to get back into work to help alleviate his grief and get distracted as much as humanly possible.

Today, with his second son and three beautiful daughters, he can stand proud and only hope time will continue to help him heal.

Indeed, the rest of the Stallone bunch are thriving. His second born, Seargeoh, who was diagnosed with autism as a child, has remained outside of the celebrity spotlight his entire life.

Sisters Sophia and Sistine host the “Unwaxed” podcast, and Scarlet is a model and aspiring actress.

What a simply tragic tale, but I’m happy Sylvester Stallone has his other beautiful children to find comfort and joy with.

Isn’t it just incredible how a mother can so often have such powerful instincts when it comes to her children?

Please share this story to remind everyone of this and to keep memories of the gone-too-soon Sage Stallone alive!

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