Actress Eva Marie Saint Dies at Age 102
The 102-year-old actress faced multiple chronic health conditions including hypertension before her passing.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Stroke
Eva Marie Saint, the Academy Award-winning actress, passed away on October 6, 2026, at the age of 102. Her death certificate cited cardiopulmonary arrest as the primary cause, with senile dementia, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, and embolism noted as contributing conditions.
Why it matters
Managing chronic conditions like hypertension and thyroid issues remains critical for elderly health. The combination of these comorbidities alongside conditions like embolism often complicates clinical management in centenarians.
The death certificate documented cardiopulmonary arrest in the 102-year-old subject, identifying hypertension, hyperthyroidism, embolism, and senile dementia as contributing factors. The clinical significance of these concurrent conditions remains a subject of investigation in geriatric medicine.
The players
Eva Marie Saint
An Academy Award-winning actress who lived to age 102.
Jeffrey Hayden
The late husband of Eva Marie Saint who passed away in 2016.
The details
Cardiopulmonary arrest represents the cessation of heart and respiratory function, which can be precipitated by various underlying physiological stressors. In advanced age, hypertension and hyperthyroidism place significant demand on the cardiovascular system, potentially increasing the risk of thromboembolic events such as pulmonary embolism. These chronic issues often interact with age-related decline, requiring careful monitoring of cardiovascular health in patients over the age of 100.
Timeline
July 4, 1924: Eva Marie Saint was born.
1951: Eva Marie Saint married Jeffrey Hayden.
2016: Jeffrey Hayden passed away.
October 6, 2026: Eva Marie Saint passed away.
Health Landscape
As the U.S. centenarian population grows, medical care is increasingly focused on the management of multiple chronic comorbidities. This shift highlights the need for specialized geriatric approaches that address the intersection of hypertension, thyroid health, and cardiovascular risk.
For readers managing chronic conditions like hypertension and hyperthyroidism, regular screenings are vital to mitigate cardiovascular risks. Discussing the cumulative impact of these conditions with your physician is an important step in long-term health planning.
The takeaway
The management of multiple chronic conditions is a defining feature of health for the oldest segment of the population. Patients should regularly consult their physician to review how existing health issues, such as hypertension, are being tracked and managed over time.
Further reading
Learn more about cardiovascular health and aging in our Stroke section.
