O.J. Simpson, a name synonymous with one of America’s most sensationalized legal dramas, has died following a battle with cancer.
The former NFL star, who was famously acquitted in the double-murder trial of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman in the 1990s, passed away on Wednesday in Las Vegas, as confirmed by his family.
At the time of his death, Simpson was surrounded by his children and grandchildren.
Reports suggest Simpson had been contending with prostate cancer in recent years, his condition deteriorating significantly in the months leading up to his death, resulting in hospice care. Despite initial denials of hospice care in response to February reports of his cancer diagnosis, Simpson had acknowledged battling cancer in 2023, claiming at the time to have overcome it. Unfortunately, the illness returned, ultimately leading to his passing.
Simpson, who had appeared increasingly frail, leaves behind a legacy marked by extraordinary highs and lows.
Celebrated as a Heisman Trophy winner and a Buffalo Bills legend, Simpson transitioned from football to become a Hollywood A-lister and a prominent spokesperson for Hertz. However, his reputation was irreversibly tarnished following the murder accusations in the 1990s.
His death concludes a complex narrative that spanned decades, including a highly publicized police chase, a trial that captivated the nation, and subsequent legal and financial troubles. Despite being acquitted of the murders, Simpson was later found liable in a civil trial and ordered to pay substantial damages. His later years saw more legal issues, including a conviction for a 2007 armed robbery in Las Vegas, leading to imprisonment until his parole in 2017.
Settling in Las Vegas after his release, Simpson led a relatively quiet life, occasionally sharing his thoughts on social media. Despite the controversies that plagued his life, he maintained a presence in the public eye, engaging with fans and supported by family until his final days. O.J. Simpson was 76 years old.
