Titanic stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, along with the film's director James Cameron have responded to a challenge and contributed to a $30,000 fund for an elderly woman in need: Millvina Dean, 98, the last survivor of the sinking of the ocean liner in 1912.
The trio made their combined donation after an appeal by Irish author and photographer Don Mullan in the Sunday edition of the Irish Independent. Mullan had asked the stars and director of 1997 blockbuster to help Millvina, who has struggled with her nursing home bills.
Dean was the ship's youngest passenger - only 2 months old when her family traveled on Titanic in hopes of beginning a new life in the United States - and is now its last remaining survivor. Her father, Bertram Dean, perished after saving Millvina and his wife and son. Following the tragedy her mother returned from New York to Britain.
Millvina has been living at a nursing home in the English city of Southampton since she broke her hip about three years ago but has struggled to pay the fees. Earlier this year the pensioner was forced to auction personal belongings and memorabilia associated with the tragedy to cover care costs of £3,000 per month at the nursing home.
The 1997 drama Titanic made more than $1.8 billion at the worldwide box office, making it the highest-grossing film of all time in figures not adjusted for inflation. It went on to win 11 Oscars, including best picture.
Don Mullan said he was thrilled with the three stars' generous gesture. "I laid down the challenge to the Titanic actors and directors to support the Millvina Fund and I was delighted with the generosity they have shown in meeting that challenge."
DiCaprio and Winslet said in a statement that they hoped Dean could rest easier knowing that her future was secure. The Millvina Fund was launched Monday in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
