Updated: March 02, 2026

On April 18, 1989, Ball was admitted to Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after experiencing chest pains. She was diagnosed with a dissecting aortic aneurysm near her heart and underwent a 7 hour surgery to repair her aorta and successfully install an aortic valve replacement.

On Wednesday, April 26, while still in the hospital, Ball awoke with severe back pain, then lost consciousness and died at 5:47 a.m. PDT. Doctors determined that she had succumbed to a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. They also learned the area of the aorta operated on the week prior had no bearing on the abdominal tear.

Three memorial services were held for Ball. She was cremated, and the ashes were originally interred at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles, where her mother was also buried. In 2002, Ball's and her mother's remains were re-interred at the Hunt family plot at Lake View Cemetery in Jamestown, New York, in accordance with Ball's wishes to be buried near her mother.

Recognition and Legacy:

Ball received many tributes, honors, and awards throughout her career and posthumously. On February 8, 1960, she was given two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame: at 6436 Hollywood Boulevard, for contributions to motion pictures; and at 6100 Hollywood Boulevard, for her contribution to the arts and sciences of television. In 1964, Ball and her second husband Morton attended "Lucy Day", a celebration in her honor held by the New York World's Fair.

Acting on advice given to her by Norman Vincent Peale in the early 1960s, Ball collaborated with Betty Hannah Hoffman on an autobiography that covered her life until 1964. Her former attorney found the manuscript, postmarked 1966, while going through old files. He sent it and the tapes of interviews, conducted by Hoffman and used to write the manuscript, to Lucie and Desi Jr., who had been put in charge of their mother's estate. It was subsequently published by Berkley Publishing Group in 1997. The book was released on audio through Audible on July 9, 2018, read by her daughter.

In 1976, CBS paid tribute to Ball with the two hour special CBS Salutes Lucy: The First 25 Years. Both Ball and Arnaz appeared on the screen for the special, which is the first time they appeared together in 16 years since their divorce.