Sylvester Stallone suffered the unimaginable loss of his firstborn son, Sage Stallone, who died suddenly in 2012 at age 36. Before his death, Sage’s mother, Sasha Czack, had urged him not to undergo major dental surgery, but he proceeded and later took pain medication for recovery.
Following Sage’s passing, rumors spread about drugs, alcohol, and suicide, all of which were later disproven. Friends confirmed Sage had no history of substance abuse and was preparing to marry. An autopsy ultimately revealed he died from a heart attack caused by atherosclerosis, with no overdose involved.
Stallone asked for privacy, calling the loss of his son the greatest pain a parent can endure. Despite the tragedy, he later returned to work to cope with grief and continues to focus on his family, including his remaining children.