Remembering Pandora Cooper-Key: A Life of Courage and Legacy
Pandora Cooper-Key has passed away at the age of 51, following a long and brave battle with cancer. Known for her resilience, she fought the disease for 24 years before being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. Pandora was the daughter of Mrs. Esmond Cooper-Key and Lady Mary Gaye Curzon and had ten siblings, including her half-sister, actress and model Cressida Bonas.
Pandora, a talented ceramicist and former accessories designer for Vivienne Westwood, faced her health challenges with remarkable strength and humor. She often spoke about her family’s plans for her funeral, demonstrating her courage and enduring spirit. Her final diagnosis came at the end of last year, and despite undergoing immunotherapy, her condition worsened.
Her journey began with a diagnosis of Paget’s Disease at age 26, a rare form of cancer affecting the milk duct. After overcoming this, she gave birth to her first child, only to face another blow when a sarcoma was discovered in her left eye.
Sarcomas are rare and aggressive tumors, with only a few thousand cases reported annually in the UK. Despite a grim prognosis following surgery, Pandora continued to fight valiantly. She underwent eight surgeries over the years, including cosmetic procedures to repair facial damage, relying on Botox to maintain symmetry.
Pandora’s candidness about her experiences was evident in her interviews, including a 2021 conversation with The Times where she humorously mentioned her Botox treatments. Her health took a serious turn last year with the discovery of an inoperable brain tumor. She explained to Femail that surgery was not an option due to the tumor’s proximity to critical blood vessels.
Connections to the Royal Family
Pandora’s half-sister, Cressida Bonas, was introduced to Prince Harry by Princess Eugenie in May 2012. Although their relationship ended in April 2014 following a challenging period, Cressida later attended Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding in May 2018, alongside Chelsy Davy, another of Harry’s former partners.
