Legendary illusionist Siegfried Fischbacher insisted on spending his final days in comfort on his sprawling 100 acre Las Vegas estate – and not die alone in a hospital like partner Roy Horn, DailyMail.com can reveal.
The famed magician, who it was announced Thursday has died following a battle with pancreatic cancer, had been recuperating at his home called Little Bavaria – the beloved home he shared with Roy for the last few decades.
DailyMail.com has learned Siegfried passed away in his hometown at 11.30pm on Wednesday night.
The 81-year-old was receiving round-the-clock treatment from specialist nurses following a 12-hour operation to remove a malignant tumor last month.
But friends of the entertainer said the star’s cancer had worsened, rapidly spreading across his body in recent weeks with doctors signalling the worst.
One friend said: ‘It really wasn’t looking good for Siegfried this past few weeks, but he never wanted to be in hospital, he always wanted to die in peace at his home.’
Siegfried Fischbacher died Wednesday after a battle with pancreatic cancer
In May, his longtime partner, Roy Horn, died at the age of 75 following complications from the coronavirus; seen in 2015
One friend told DailyMail.com that the 81-year-old insisted on spending his final days at his sprawling 100 acre Las Vegas estate. ‘It really wasn’t looking good for Siegfried this past few weeks, but he never wanted to be in hospital, he always wanted to die in peace at his home,’ they said
‘Siegfried fought as best he could. Some days were better than others, but he tried to enjoy his life as best he could. He loved to get out in the garden at Little Bavaria and he was cared for by two specialist nurses and a small staff.
His sister Dolore, a nun who lives in Munich, revealed she spoke to him and they prayed together just before he died. They’re pictured together in 2013
‘Certainly after seeing Roy pass away in hospital last year, he was adamant that when his time came he wanted to be somewhere comfortable at home. He was distraught when Roy passed in an ICU unit after he’d urged him to see out his final moments at home.
‘Siegfried’s condition was undoubtedly affected by the shock loss of Roy last May and he truly believed he would join Roy in heaven.’
Little Bavaria had been Siegfried & Roy’s luxury oasis for over three decades, consisting of a staggering hideaway of connected mansions, an aquatic park and miles of interlocking walkways that cut through the multi-million dollar property.
The friend added that Siegfried was heartbroken at not being able to see his close friends and family in Germany during his final days, including brother Marinus Fischbacher and sisters Margot and Dolore.
But his sister Dolore, a nun who lives in Munich, revealed she spoke to him and they prayed together just before he died.
Dolore confirmed her brother’s death to German news agency dpa Thursday.
‘He was at home in Las Vegas,’ Sister Dolore said.
‘I could pray with him and tell him that I will always be with him in my heart,’ she said.
After the call, he laid down and fell asleep, she said.
Siegfried had hoped to visit his family in Germany in late 2020, but COVID-19 restrictions and his health issues prevented that trip.
His relatives are also elderly, meaning they could not safely visit him in the US either.
‘Certainly after seeing Roy pass away in hospital last year, he was adamant that when his time came he wanted to be somewhere comfortable at home,’ they said. The pair are pictured at Little Bavaria in 2000
The showmen – born in Germany as Siegfried Fischbacher and Uwe Ludwig Horn – met one another while working on a cruise ship in 1957
The friend said: ‘He was not able to return to Germany to visit his friends and family, which was devastating for him. He has always been close to Margot and Marinus especially, who knew how badly Roy’s death affected him.’
The friend continued: ‘You can’t underestimate how significantly Roy’s death affected Siegfried.
‘They were inseparable and grew even closer following the tiger attack and then Roy’s fight with skin cancer. It just left a huge hole in his life and his heart. The last year broke his heart.’
In May last year Roy passed away from COVID-19 which he battled alongside skin cancer, paralysis issues from his tiger attack and breathing problems.
He spent his last moments in the ICU room at Mountain View Hospital in Las Vegas.
Siegfried was diagnosed with cancer and underwent surgery in December to have a malignant tumor removed, before the German returned to his Las Vegas home.
The friend said: ‘He was seriously ill, taking every day as it came. He would say he speaks to Roy and feels his spirit around the home and in the gardens.
Las Vegas superstar illusionists Siegfried (right) and Roy (left) ) at their Mirage Hotel apartment, prior to Horn’s nearly fatal encounter with a white tiger on stage during one of their performances
Fischbacher pictured at the 23rd annual Keep Memory Alive ‘Power of Love Gala’ benefit at MGM Grand Garden Arena in March 2019
‘One of Roy’s wishes was that his partner be told that he will look down on him after his passing from heaven.
‘They were both very spiritual in that way with Siegfried feeling a cosmic connection to his partner.
‘He still smiles and takes great solace in seeing their beloved dogs playing and laying beside him.’
Fans last saw Siegfried in public when he attended the dedication of the Siegfried & Roy Drive at The Mirage Hotel on the strip – the home to their world famous tiger act for 12 years until Roy was dragged offstage by the big cat Mantecore in 2001.
During the sign dedication, Siegfried became emotional as he talked about how the shows were always ‘part of Roy’s big plans’.
Remembering his legendary co-star and confidant, Siegfried said: ‘Sometimes I feel alone, at Little Bavaria, but I think of him being there, his smile, and he is with me. Everywhere I go, he is there, everywhere I turn, he is with me. Everything we had built there is built for us.’
DailyMail.com can also reveal that Roy left a moving farewell message from friends and family before his death, exclaiming his hope of entertaining audiences in heaven.
In a touching voice message frail Roy added that he will be a ‘guardian Angel’ to many of his loved ones looking down from the stars, adding ‘my spirit and soul will stay here.’
Despite his voice, weakened by a string of long term medical issues, emotional Roy also urged their close knit social circle to take care of his long term partner Siegfried, who oversaw the tear jerking video tribute.
Siegfried & Roy started work on a cruise ship in 1967, before working their way up into becoming headlining pioneers on the Las Vegas strip in the 80s and 90s.
However their run came to an end when Horn was attacked by a white tiger named Mantecore in 2003 – which left him partially paralyzed at the age of 60.