New details about fashion designer Bob Mackie’s death have come to light.
Mackie’s immediate cause of death is listed as a subarachnoid hemorrhage and blunt head trauma, per a death certificate obtained by Us on Friday, October 9. According to the records, Mackie suffered a fall and sustained an injury on September 11 at his longtime design director Joseph McFate’s home.
Mackie died three days later on September 14 at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, with his official cause of death ruled as pneumonia. The renowned costumier was 87. Further details about Mackie’s death were not immediately revealed. Us reached out to reps for Mackie and McFate for further comment.
“For clarification, Mr. Mackie was staying in the guest house at the home of his longtime Design Director, Joe McFate,” a rep tells Us in a statement. “A healthcare professional was with him when he fell. He was also suffering from pneumonia both before and after his hospitalization.”
Mackie’s death certificate also reports that the style icon was cremated on September 17 before his remains were scattered at sea off the coast of San Diego County in California.
Mackie’s team had publicly announced his death the same day.
“It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Mr. Bob Mackie passed away today,” a statement shared via Mackie’s Instagram account last month read. ”He lived his 87 years to the fullest, fulfilling his dream of being a Fashion and Costume Designer, which is all he ever wanted to do. His genius and extraordinary designs will live on forever, continuing to bring beauty into this world.”
Mackie famously dressed the likes of Cher and Carol Burnett throughout his career, both of whom have since mourned his loss.
“My dear Bob has gone up to heaven. Knowing him, he’s bringing sequins, beads and his sketch pad,” Cher, 80, wrote via X. “Good nite sweet Prince.”
Burnett, 93, also reflected on the “genius” designer’s legacy in a separate social media tribute.
“Sadness doesn’t come close to how I feel. I loved him very much,” Burnett captioned an Instagram post. “As for his genius, there are fashion designers who don’t do costumes and there are costume designers who don’t do fashion. Bob did it all. There was no one like him.”
Mackie had connected with Cher on the set of Burnett’s eponymous variety show during the “Believe” singer’s cameo.
“Boy, I like this girl, this is something,” he recalled of his first interactions with Cher in a 2019 interview with Harper’s Bazaar. “A couple years later we started working together again. I would dress her up and it was really fun. I got to know her really well.”
Mackie later dressed Cher for the 1974 Met Gala in a sheer gown adorned with feathers and beading.
“People dressed up then, but not really dressed up like that,” he recalled to the outlet. “She walked in, and there I am standing next to her, and all of the sudden there were like a thousand photographers swarming us. They followed her the entire evening.”
