Kirk Douglas' widow Anne Buydens has passed away peacefully at her Beverly Hills home, her family has confirmed.

The late philanthropist, who had been married to Kirk for over six decades, was 102 years old at the time of her death.

Anne's death comes just over one year after it was confirmed that Kirk had passed away at the age of 103 in February 2020.

Kirk's son, Hollywood star Michael Douglas, paid tribute to his step-mother in a statement.

"She brought out the best in all of us, especially our father," the actor said.

"Dad would never have had the career he did without Anne's support and partnership. Catherine and I and the children adored her; she will always be in our hearts."

Kirk and Anne were married for over 65 years until the actor's death in 2020 (
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)

German-born Anne had previously worked as a location scout and assistant before she met Kirk for the first time on the set of Act of Love in Paris in 1953.

Reflecting on their encounter in the couple's 2017 memoir, Anne wrote: "We talked for hours, and I had a strange feeling in my heart that I could fall in love with this man."

"I didn't want to, because I had seen too many young women enter into intense affairs with visiting movie stars — Dean Martin, Marlon Brando, Cary Grant among them. Then the film wrapped and the men returned to their wives and families."

The philanthropist and film publicist first met Kirk on set in 1953 (
Image:
Getty Images)

Get all the latest celebrity news delivered straight to your inbox

From secret feuds and sexy scandals to the biggest showbiz headlines - we're serving up a daily dose of gossip.

Get the inside scoop on all your favourite celebs with our daily newsletter delivered straight to your inbox for free.

You can sign up here.

One year after they met, the couple married in Las Vegas in 1954.

The couple welcomed sons Peter and Eric a couple of years later.

In 1958, Anne actually saved Kirk's life when she demanded that he didn't take a plane with director Michael Todd to New York.

She wrote: "I don't know what came over me, but I had a strange feeling. 'Absolutely not, Kirk. I don't want you on that plane. You can fly commercial and meet him there."

The couple went on to have two children and later launched The Douglas Foundation (
Image:
Getty Images North America)
Kirk Douglas' son Michael paid tribute to his step-mother following her death (
Image:
Starmax/PA Images)

While Kirk was fuming at the time, the couple then learned a day later that the plane had crashed killing all three onboard.

Kirk had told his wife at that moment: "Darling, you saved my life. I will always trust your intuition from now on."

During the couple's later lives, they became involved with lots of philanthropic projects and set up The Douglas Foundation to support people in need. The foundation has donated millions to projects such as the Children's Hospital Los Angeles.

The couple would go on to be married for 65 years until Kirk died in 2020.

Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at webcelebs@trinitymirror.com or call us direct 0207 29 33033