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Jackie Stallone, mother of Sylvester Stallone and 'Celebrity Big Brother' star, dies aged 98

Jackie Stallone and Sylvester Stallone (Photo by E. Charbonneau/WireImage for MGM )
Jackie Stallone and Sylvester Stallone (Photo by E. Charbonneau/WireImage for MGM )

Jackie Stallone, mother of Hollywood star Sylvester Stallone, has died at the age of 98.

The dancer, wrestling promoter and astrologer – who made an unforgettable appearance on Celebrity Big Brother in 2005 – died in her sleep.

Her singer son Frank Stallone confirmed on Instagram: “This morning my brothers and I lost our mother Jackie Stallone.

“She was a remarkable woman working out everyday full of spunk and fearless . She died in her sleep as she had wished. It was hard not to like her, she was very eccentric and flamboyant person.”

Watch: Jackie Stallone’s life, tributes and best moments

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Remembering his mother he recalled: “Her mind was as sharp as a razor till the day she died.”

And admitted: “She never wore a mask a true revolutionary gal.”

HERTFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND -  JANUARY 14: Celebrity Big Brother III housemate Jackie Stallone and presenter Davina MaCall pose for photographs outside the Big Brother house after Jackie was the first celebrity to be evicted from the house, at Elstree Studios on January 14, 2004 in Hertfordshire, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Jackie Stallone and Celebrity Big Brother presenter Davina McCall in 2005. (Getty Images)

And he added: “My brother Sylvester took care of her like a Queen for all of her life. I will never be able to call my mom again or have her yell at me why I never got married . But we all loved her and her spirit to survive and prevail.”

Jackie had been active on social media during lockdown, posting an account of her lockdown activities back in April, saying: “I’m staying fit, I am studying the accordion daily, I think I know as much as my teacher does.”

As well as 74-year-old Rocky star Sylvester and Frank, Jackie was also mother to son Tommy and the late actress Toni D'Alto, whom she had with Anthony Filiti. She lost her daughter Toni to cancer at the age of 48 in 2012.

Read more: Sylvester Stallone is working on a director's cut of 'Rocky IV'

Jackie appeared in the third series of UK Celebrity Big Brother, appearing in the house alongside the late John McCririck, Happy Mondays star Bez and Germaine Greer.

Her former daughter-in-law Brigitte Nielsen, who was married to Sylvester Stallone from 1985 until 1987, was also a contestant and was shocked when Jackie entered a few days later as a surprise guest. The pair shared some awkward run-ins in the house.

<p>Jackie Stallone&#39;s grand entrance (Series 3): &#39;Yeah, Jackie&#39; is probably all we need to say here. Sent in by producers to shock her former ex-daughter-in-law Bridgette Nielson, Jackie Stallone entering the CBB house in Series 3 did not only make CBB history, but quite possibly television history too. </p>
Jackie Stallone's appeared in Celebrity Big Brother in 2005. (Channel 4)

After a series of clashes with other housemates Jackie was evicted from the show after just four days, but her time on the show is still legendary.

She shocked housemates with her lack of everyday skills such as opening a bottle of wine or making tea. But Jackie insisted it was because she was used to having other people to do such things for her.

Jackie had been married three times, leaving behind her husband of over 20 years, Stephen Marcus Levine.