Sarah Michelle Gellar shared never-before-seen images from her final birthday celebration with Shannen Doherty. She also posted a heartfelt tribute to her late friend on what would have been Doherty’s 54th birthday. This marks the first birthday since Doherty’s death in 2024.
It comes just two days before Gellar herself turns 48. “For as long as I can remember, we have celebrated our birthdays together,” Gellar wrote on Instagram. “This year I will keep that tradition and celebrate you.
I am so glad we were all together on this day last year, not knowing it would be the last like this. Happy Birthday Shannen.”
Gellar shared a video of the two friends blowing out candles on their birthday cakes at the party. The event took place just three months before Doherty was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, their bond grew stronger as Doherty’s family joined Gellar’s in a “Covid pod.” Gellar said, “You gave my children such a life during Covid. I was really struggling with how to give them that freedom and that room to be kids and to have adventures.”
Doherty noted that Gellar and her family helped her during that isolating time as well. “It’s hard being isolated, especially as someone who’s immunocompromised,” Doherty said.
“You were all so incredibly careful about who you were around in order to actually come here and hang out and go swimming.”
Following Doherty’s death in July 2024, Gellar expressed her sorrow on social media.
Sarah’s heartfelt birthday tribute
“How do you possibly find the right words to sum up 30 years of friendship?” she wrote.
“I keep reminding myself it only hurts this much because there was so much love. Thank you for all your kind words and support.”
Gellar encouraged fans to support local animal charities in Doherty’s memory. “Whether that’s donating money, stopping by your local shelter and just offering cuddles and walks to animals housed there, or even just tagging them in the comments so other people can learn about their work,” she continued.
“I know that would make our girl happy.”
Rose McGowan also paid tribute to Doherty by reposting a fan’s picture with the caption, “Happy Birthday Shannen Doherty. You are missed, you are loved.”
Tori Spelling honored Doherty as well, writing “Happy Earth Birthday. I miss you Shan.
I love you. I hope my power makes you proud.” She shared throwback photos of her and Doherty together from their “Beverly Hills, 90210” days. During a special episode of Doherty’s “Let’s Be Clear” podcast, Spelling expressed disappointment that Doherty was left out of the “In Memoriam” segment at the Academy Awards.
“It was shocking, truly shocking,” Spelling said. “To me, I discovered Shannen as a fan on the big screen. While she was so iconically known for her TV roles, it’s really the big screen where her career just thrived.”
