Vanessa Williams is mourning the death of her mother Helen at the age of 85

Vanessa Williams honors his mother Helenafter she died at the age of 85.

“On December 28th, the world lost a force, a dynamo, and a force of nature packed into a 5-foot-tall frame,” the 61-year-old actress wrote Instagram on Thursday January 2 “Our mum, Helen Williams, also known to many as Gaga, has passed away in London 20 days after celebrating her 85th birthday surrounded by family and friends.”

She added: “It’s impossible to describe to everyone what she meant because everyone saw a different side of her. A loyal friend for many, icy stares for a select few. We will miss it all.”

Williams further revealed that her mother’s cause of death was “complications of acute liver failure.”

Helen saw her daughter’s performance The Devil Wears Prada musical shortly before her death. Williams played by Miranda Priestly in the London stage adaptation, the role that made him famous Meryl Streep in the 2006 film.

“She recently traveled to London for the opening night The Devil Wears Prada musical in the West End to celebrate her 85th birthday surrounded by 150 of her family and friends,” Williams added in a statement. “During her visit she suffered a serious deterioration in her health which ended her life.”

Helen survived Ugly Betty alum, as well as son Christopher57 and more grandchildren. There is a husband in front of her, Miltonwho died in 2006 after a battle with pancreatitis.

It was later announced that Williams would no longer appear on the selection The Devil Wears Prada will show later this month.

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“Due to a sudden loss in her family, Vanessa Williams will not be appearing from Wednesday, January 8th to Wednesday, January 15th,” read a statement on the show’s official social media page. “During this time, she will play the role of Miranda Priestly Debbie Kurup. Vanessa will be back The The Devil Wears Prada from Thursday, January 16.”

Williams again shared the casting news via her Instagram Story on Friday, January 3.

Williams was especially close to his motherwith the pair co-authoring a 2012 memoir You have no idea: A famous daughter, her no-nonsense mother, and how they survive pageants, Hollywood, love, loss (and each other).

“I had two parents and a family that always supported me. Support is very important and when they saw that I had the desire to pursue a career in the arts, I was given the proper training,” said Williams. Forbes at that time. “I’ve been dancing all my life. I was a musician. I played and went to musical theater. Preparation is what gave me the skills that gave me longevity in this career. Follow your dreams, but it’s also nice to have a family that supports your dreams instead of saying, ‘Get a real job’.”

Joining Williams for the interview, Helen gushed that one of her favorite memories was attending her daughter’s Broadway debut in 1994, “because it was something she always wanted to do her whole life.”