The loss of a child is a tragedy that no parent should endure. Sylvester Stallone knows this heartbreak all too well, having lost his first son, Sage Stallone, in 2012.
Before the cause of his sudden and unexpected death was revealed, speculation ran rampant. Some thought it was suicide, others assumed drugs or alcohol played a role, but the truth was even more devastating.
Sage’s passing at the age of 36 marked an unthinkable sorrow for Stallone. Prior to this loss, Sylvester’s life was filled with struggles, many resembling the hardships of his most famous character, Rocky Balboa. Born with a facial nerve injury that left part of his face paralyzed, Stallone’s early life was marked by both physical and emotional challenges.
He was bullied relentlessly as a child, feeling like a misfit, often likening himself to «Mr. Potato Head» because of his disfigurement. His home life was difficult too, with an emotionally distant mother and a violent father.
Despite these struggles, Stallone fought hard to overcome adversity. He broke bones, got expelled from schools, and faced homelessness before achieving stardom. Stallone has spoken about how a single coat saved his life while he was homeless in New York. But it was his breakout role in Rocky in 1976 that finally changed his fortune, launching him to worldwide fame and wealth.
Sage, who had shared the screen with his father in Rocky V and Daylight, was not just an actor but also a passionate film preservationist. His death in 2012 shocked the world. After an autopsy, it was revealed that Sage died of atherosclerosis, a condition that causes hardened arteries and can lead to a fatal heart attack.
Despite the presence of painkillers in his system, there was no evidence of overdose or foul play.
The pain of losing Sage was unimaginable, but Stallone found solace in his remaining children. Despite the sorrow, time and family have helped him heal.
