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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
Getty Images

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
Getty Images

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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Baby is born with black spots , mom doesn’t dare go out with him

Stephanie and Dan Dworksy were shocked when they laid eyes on their newborn son, Kacy, for the first time.

Kacy was born with melanocytic nevus, a skin disease that causes large black spots all over the body.

“They were just everywhere. Spots on his face, on his legs, his back is covered,” says mother Stephanie.

The disease affects 1 in 500 000 people and comes with an increased risk of skin cancer – but otherwise, the effects are purely cosmetic.

Stephanie lives with guilt every day because of her son’s spots.

“You know, you go through 10 months doing everything that you can dto have a perfect pregnancy and be healthy, and then you think you did something wrong,” she says.

Stephanie realizes that her son is different and their lives would be affected because of it. But the family is now seeking to raise awareness about their son’s rare disease.

Stephanie and Dan Dworksy were shocked when they laid eyes on their newborn son, Kacy, for the first time.

Kacy Daniel was born on the 9th of June 2016 with melanocytic nevus, a skin disease that causes large black spots all over the body.  He had a Giant Arm Nevus on his left arm and “satellites” all over his body.

“They were just everywhere. Spots on his face, on his legs, his back is covered,” his mother Stephanie told CBS Los Angeles.

The disease affects 1 in 500 000 people and comes with an increased risk of skin cancer – not to mention the social issues his parents feared would be faced with, which as a parent is unbearable to even think about.

Otherwise, the effects of the spots are purely cosmetic.

But Stephanie explained in 2016 that she lived with guilt every day because of her son’s spots.

“You know, you go through 10 months doing everything that you can do have a perfect pregnancy and be healthy, and then you think you did something wrong,” she said.

Stephanie realized that her son was different and their lives would be affected because of it. But the family was seeking to raise awareness about their son’s rare disease.

When Kacy was born, doctors warned that his appearance would likely cause unwanted glances and comments.

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“People are going to stare at him, kids may say some mean things (…) you may even find parents that don’t want their kids to be near him, because they don’t know what this is,” father Dan says.

The fear of seeing or hearing her son ridiculed or bullied has pushed Stephanie not to go out some days.

“I try not to go out, and I feel so guilty about it,” says Stephanie.

There are no easy solutions when you have a child that looks a little different and you have no control over people’s prejudices.

But the couple is now trying to transform people’s perceptions by creating more awareness about rare skin disorders – hoping in turn to promise their little boy a better future.

We hope that spreading awareness about Kacy’s condition will help the public have a better understanding about his diisease and realize that he is a sweet baby just like any other.

Please share Kacy’s story to support the Dworksy’s mission to spread awareness about his disorder and make people realize there is nothing dangerous about it!

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Following a video of slurred speech, Rachael Ray breaks the silence with a concerning health update

The chef said she has been recuperating from various ailments, which she blamed to housework, in the first episode of her podcast, “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead.” “I take care of the house. I adore doing housework.

During the podcast, Rachael Ray stated, “I love being in the kitchen.” “Even though I enjoy doing chores, I always write something and work with my brain every day.” “I enjoy what people think of as physical labour,” she added. “I enjoy creating lists, organising dinners, and preparing meals. I enjoy doing manual labour, like carrying in the woods.

She went on to say that she and her husband John are frequently in competition with one another. How much timber did John have on him? Is it possible for me to carry more? John doesn’t hear me say that. She remarked, “I just say it to myself.” The 56-year-old stated that she had to postpone the physical labour since she had experienced “a couple of bad falls” in the previous few weeks.

In early September, fans started to worry about the TV personality’s health after she posted a video to Instagram that seemed to show her slurring her words and a part of her face sagging.

Take a look at her mouth. A concerned fan commented, “It appears that she might be recuperating from a stroke.” To me, it sounds inebriated. She also appears bloated. Another user said, “I hope she gets the help she needs or else she will be another person who dies from the terrible disease of addiction.”

Ray never spoke to her followers until recently, despite the fact that many of them expressed support and concern for the Food Network star in their comments. She gave a believable explanation for the viral video, despite the fact that she didn’t go into great detail. What became of Rachael Ray? I really hope she’s alright. Nothing horrible would ever happen to her.

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My wife and I went to adopt a child and met a girl who looked just like our daughter.

I was shocked to see a girl who looked just like my daughter—same honey-brown hair, dimples, and even the same birthmark on her wrist. But there she was, in a shelter I only visited because my wife and I wanted to adopt. That moment changed everything I thought I knew about my past.

My name is James, and I’m a dad in my thirties to my amazing five-year-old daughter, Olivia, from my previous marriage. When I met my wife, Claire, I was a single dad trying to balance raising a toddler and starting a new relationship. Claire and Olivia bonded instantly, like they were meant to be. Seeing them together brought back memories of Olivia’s mother, Caroline, and the time before our marriage ended. Caroline was always in the background of my life, a reminder of both love and loss, but over time, I had made peace with it.

We started talking about adoption about a year ago. Claire always wanted to grow our family. She loved Olivia, but she also dreamed of experiencing motherhood from the very beginning—holding a newborn, hearing a child call her “Mommy” for the first time. The big question was whether we should have a baby of our own or adopt.

After many discussions, adoption felt like the right choice for both of us. We believed there were children out there who needed love and a stable home, and the idea gave us a deep sense of purpose. So, we began the process—filling out paperwork, attending interviews, and preparing for the moment we would meet the child who would join our family.

On the morning of our visit to Mrs. Alvarez at the local children’s shelter, I was tying my sneakers when I noticed Claire standing at the top of the stairs. She smoothed her blouse nervously, and even from across the room, I could tell she was feeling anxious.

“Are you okay?” I asked gently.

Claire pressed her lips together, her wide eyes showing a hint of nervousness. “I’m really excited, James, but I’m also a little scared. What if we don’t connect with any of the kids? What if they don’t like us?”

I walked up the stairs and took her hands, giving them a reassuring squeeze. “We won’t know until we try. Kids love you—I see it every time Olivia lights up around you. It’ll be just like that.”

She nodded and let out a slow breath. Just then, we heard Olivia’s small voice from the living room. “Mom, can I have pancakes?”

Claire’s cheeks flushed slightly. “Maybe tomorrow, sweet pea!” she called back before turning to me with a whisper. “Your daughter has turned me into a full-time pancake chef.”

I chuckled, leading her toward the door. “Good thing for us—the best pancake maker in town.”

As we drove, the car was filled with excitement and anticipation. Claire stared out the window, deep in thought, as the houses and trees passed by. I wanted to lighten the mood, but the moment felt too important—like we were on the verge of something life-changing.

At the shelter, Mrs. Alvarez greeted us warmly in her tidy office. She was an older woman with a kind, motherly presence. She listened as we shared our hopes of giving a child a loving home, no matter their age or background. Once we finished talking, she led us to the playroom, where about a dozen children were reading, drawing, or playing with toys.

Claire’s tense shoulders relaxed as soon as she spotted a little boy stacking blocks into a tall tower. She knelt beside him and said, “Wow, that’s amazing! How tall can you make it?” He smiled shyly but seemed happy with her interest. Meanwhile, I found myself chatting with a young girl at an easel, painting a rainbow. She told me how much she loved bright colors—especially purple, her favorite.

But neither of us felt that special connection we had heard about—the moment when you just know, This is our child. As time passed, a quiet worry crept in: What if we don’t find that bond? What if we leave disappointed?

Then, I felt a small tap on my shoulder—tiny fingers, a gentle poke. I turned around and saw a little girl, about five years old, with big, curious eyes. She wore a pastel sweater with a cartoon cat on it, and her long honey-brown hair looked just like Olivia’s.

“Are you a new dad?” she asked softly, tilting her head.

A strange feeling hit me. She even sounds like Olivia. But I managed a polite smile. “I’m not sure yet, sweetheart. My name is James. What’s yours?”

She grinned. “Angel. That’s the name the lady here said suits me best.”

I blinked, repeating the name in my head. “Nice to meet you, Angel. Are you having fun?”

She shrugged and glanced at the puzzle table. Then, as if making up her mind, she reached out her hand. My eyes fell on it—and I froze.

There, just above her wrist, was a tiny, crescent-shaped birthmark. My throat went dry. It was exactly like Olivia’s—in the same spot, the same shape. My mind raced. This can’t be just a coincidence. It’s too exact.

Claire must have noticed the look on my face. She walked over, her expression turning pale. “James, what’s wrong?”

I glanced at her, struggling to find the right words. “Look at her wrist,” I whispered. Claire’s eyes widened as she looked back and forth between Angel’s face and the birthmark. Her face went even paler.

Meanwhile, Angel stayed calm, as if she already trusted us. She frowned slightly and asked, “Did I do something wrong? Don’t you want me?”

A wave of protectiveness hit me. I gave her a reassuring smile and gently placed my hand over hers. “Of course, we do.” We just… never expected to meet someone who looked so much like our daughter.”

Suddenly, I felt dizzy. My ex-wife, Caroline, had once told me she was pregnant before our divorce. She gave birth to Olivia and handed her to me. But what if there was more to the story? Could Caroline have had twins—and kept it a secret?

The memories flooded back: Caroline’s panic, how she avoided talking about her pregnancy, and the way she left me with a newborn before disappearing from my life.

I took a deep breath and steadied myself. “Angel,” I said gently, “can I ask you something?”

She nodded, her eyes full of trust.

“Do you… know anything about your mom or dad?”

Her expression grew sad, and she shook her head. “Mrs. Alvarez told me I was brought here as a baby. She doesn’t know who left me. But she always says I’m special and that maybe, one day, my family will come looking for me.”

Tears stung my eyes. Claire reached out and gently tucked Angel’s hair behind her ear. “Maybe we are that family,” she said softly.

The rest of the day felt like a blur. Mrs. Alvarez explained that Angel had arrived at the shelter when she was about six months old. The only clue about her past was a handwritten note that simply said: Her name is Angel. I just can’t keep her. There were no records, no leads—nothing.

At that moment, Claire and I knew what we had to do. We were going to adopt Angel. Deep down, I couldn’t shake the feeling that she was Olivia’s twin. The resemblance was undeniable—same hair, same face, and that same birthmark.

How can I prove it? I wondered.

Once we got home, I picked up the phone and called Caroline. It had been a long time since I last spoke to her. She answered cautiously. “James? Is Olivia okay?”

I didn’t waste time. “Caroline, did you have twins?”

Silence. Then, her voice shook. “How… how did you find out?”

My chest tightened. “There’s a little girl at an orphanage named Angel. She looks exactly like Olivia—same face, same birthmark.”

Caroline let out a shaky sob. “I couldn’t handle two babies, James. I was alone, broke, and scared. I thought you’d never forgive me if I told you the truth. I wanted to protect at least one, so I left Olivia with you. I planned to go back for Angel once I got my life together, but things just got worse. Leaving her… that’s my biggest regret.”

I gripped the phone so tightly my knuckles turned white. “How could you do that? You never told me? You let her grow up in a shelter instead of giving me the chance to raise her?”

Caroline broke down. “I’m so sorry, James. I didn’t know how to face you. I was young and terrified, and before I knew it, too much time had passed. Is she… is she okay?”

I let out a deep sigh, my eyes filling with tears. “She’s okay, but… she’s spent her whole life without a family.” Claire and I are going to adopt her.”

Caroline’s voice shook with relief. “Thank you! I know I don’t deserve forgiveness, but please take care of her. She belongs with you, James—just like Olivia.”

I ended the call, overwhelmed by a mix of anger and sadness. But beneath it all, one thing was clear: I was going to bring Angel home, reunite her with Olivia, and give them the life they deserved.

Olivia was thrilled about getting a sister, but nothing could have prepared her for the moment they met. When we finally brought Angel home, Olivia could barely contain her excitement. The two girls stared at each other in awe, as if looking into a mirror—same hair, same eyes, and that tiny crescent-shaped birthmark. Then, at the same time, they let out a joyful squeal, ran into each other’s arms, and burst into laughter and tears.

Claire and I sat together, tears in our eyes, watching our daughters realize they were twins. It felt like a little miracle happening right in our living room. That night, they refused to sleep apart, curling up together in the same bed, whispering secrets only they could understand.

Bringing Angel into our family wasn’t easy, but the shelter staff understood how urgent it was. With Caroline confirming the truth, the judge granted us custody of Angel. After mountains of paperwork and an emotional roller coaster, the adoption was finalized. Our little family of three had grown to four. And Olivia? She was happier than ever.

As time passed, I wrestled with my anger toward Caroline. But for Angel’s sake, I chose to set it aside and kept things civil. The girls started school together, often confusing their teachers, who struggled to tell them apart. Their bond was incredible, almost as if they were making up for lost time. Claire embraced motherhood fully, her dream of raising another child finally realized. Some nights, she would get emotional thinking about Angel’s early years in the orphanage, and I would remind her that from now on, our love would fill every gap.

A year later, we held a small celebration with close family and friends to mark Angel’s official adoption. We called it “Family Day,” and the twins wore matching dresses. Caroline came too, her eyes filled with tears and gratitude. She tried to explain her past choices, but no words could truly undo the pain. Still, for Angel’s sake, I let her stay, hoping this might be a step toward healing.

After the ceremony, I noticed Caroline standing by a tree in our yard, watching as the twins ran off, laughing. As I approached, she whispered, “They’re beautiful.”

I nodded, crossing my arms. “They are.” And they will always be surrounded by love.

Caroline wiped away a tear. “Thank you for giving them that.”

I didn’t say much else. The pain she caused was still there, but what mattered most was the future. My daughters ran around the yard, laughing freely, like two birds finally set free. That was all I needed to see.

Some nights, as I lie in bed beside Claire, I listen to the soft breaths of Olivia and Angel from their rooms. I think back to a year ago—how close we came to never knowing Angel even existed. It’s hard to believe I could have walked into that shelter and missed her completely. Love led us to adoption, and love uncovered the truth: I had twins.

Life won’t always be perfect for them. There will be questions about their birth mother and the time they lost. But as I watch them, arms linked, giggling about their day at school, I can’t help but marvel at second chances. We found the missing piece of our family. And most importantly, two little girls found each other—a bond they’ll share forever.

That, more than anything, proves to me that love finds a way. Even when it seems impossible. Even when it reveals truths that change everything. Now, with Olivia and Angel together, our home is twice as full—twice the laughter, twice the mischief, twice the joy. And I wouldn’t trade that for anything in the world.

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