Grumpy cat has died at the age of 7

Grumpy cat, the cat that inspired multiple internet memes thanks to her sour expression, has died at the age of seven.

Known by its owners as Tardar Sauce, she suffered a urinary tract infection that was ‘too tough to overcome’.

They announced her death today saying that she died on Tuesday.

Grumpy inspired a generation of internet memes when a picture was posted onto Reddit in September 2012.


It is estimated her foul-faced expression has earned her owner, Tabatha Bundesen, around $100 million.

But while she may have looked like a sourpuss, her facial expression was actually down to a deformity.

The face that launched a thousand memes (Picture: Getty)

She died from a urinary tract infection (Picture: AP)

Grumpy was born with a form of feline dwarfism (Picture: Getty)

Grumpy was born with a form of feline dwarfism, which as well as making her very, very small, gave her an underbite.



A statement released by her family said: ‘We are unimaginably heartbroken to announce the loss of our beloved Grumpy Cat.

‘Despire care from top professionals, as well as from her very loving family, Grumpy encountered complications from a recent urinary tract infection that unfortunately became too tough for her to overcome.

‘She passed away peacefully on the morning of Tuesday, May 14, at home in the arms of her mommy, Tabatha.

‘Besides being our baby and a cherished member of the family, Grumpy Cat has helped millions of people smile all around the world – even when times were tough.

‘Her spirit will continue to live on through her fans everywhere.’

BREAKING: Grumpy Cat dies, age 7 https://t.co/wbctsZ3BZ8 — Metro (@MetroUK) May 17, 2019

The viral sensation soon became famous in her own right, and made her owners millions of dollars in book deals, merchandise and a film.

Tabatha said she quit her job as a waitress within days of the picture going viral and within the first two years, Grumpy made her owners £64 million.

They have never officially announced how much the tiny cat made in her lifetime.

Her fame was eternally immortalised by Madame Tussauds, who made a waxwork of the tiny creature.

Grumpy made the long trip to London to visit it, and looked unimpressed – as usual.

However, where celebrity comes, controversy will soon follow.

In 2018, she won a $701,000 (£500,000) payout from a coffee company which used her image.

US company Grenade had asked her owner to come up with a deal to use Grumpy’s picture on their products.

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Grumpy made her owners £64 million in the first two years of going viral ( Picture: AP)

It was then agreed that the company only had rights to use the cat to sell its ‘Grumpuccino’ iced drink but it then went on to sell other products too.

The Grumpy Cat picture appeared on Grenade’s roasted coffee line as well as T-shirts, which weren’t part of the deal.

In the end, the jury sided with Grumpy Cat, a decision the cat’s lawyer David Jonelis said was a ‘complete victory’.

‘Grumpy Cat feels vindicated and feels the jury reached a just verdict,’ he added.

Rest in peace, Grumpy. We’re going to miss you.

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