On May 14, 2019, cat-lovers around the world mourned the untimely death of Grumpy Cat, the internet-sensation feline who has millions of fans and followers across social media. For seven years, she has given us some of the funniest memes that can even turn a bad day into a really good one.
Now that she has finally found her resting place, let us reminisce her seven wonderful years on this planet and how she left behind a legacy and a fat bank account for her owner.
The Humble Beginnings
Tarder Sauce, a feline famously known as Grumpy Cat, was born in Morristown, Arizona last April 4, 2012. She was adopted by a loving mother named Tabatha Bundesen, who spent her days working at Red Lobster as a waiter.
Grumpy Cat's scowl is caused by feline dwarfism and an underbite
Grumpy Cat became an internet sensation after a photo of her went viral on Facebook, making her the face of some of the most hilarious memes. It was her distinctive facial expressions that really set her apart from the rest.
Tarder eventually earned the nickname 'Grumpy Cat' because of the permanent frown on her face that may have made her look mean in photos, but in reality, she was a calm, sweet, and kind cat, according to her mom.
After Tabatha's brother took a picture of the Grumpy Cat, she instantly became viral online and quickly built a wealthy cat empire that the world had never seen before.
The Feline Empire
As of 2019, Grumpy Cat had a total of 8.5 million likes and followers on her Facebook Page. Meanwhile, her videos on YouTube had racked up a total of a staggering 38 million views. She also had 1.5 million followers on Twitter and another 2.4 million fans on Instagram.
Tabatha quit working at Red Lobster after Grumpy Cat became a celebrity
Grumpy also made appearances on numerous prestigious publications like the New York Magazine and The Wall Street Journal.
Our adorable Cat won multiple awards from Buzzfeed, Friskies, and MSNBC and was even named as 2012's Most Influential Cat. She was so rich that she had her own manager, Ben Lashes, who specializes in representing feline celebrities including Nyan and Keyboard Cat.
The Money-Making Platform
Meanwhile, Tabatha's brother handled all of Grumpy Cat's social media accounts while she and her mom attended on various product launching, television show and ad appearances, book deals, and photo shoots. In a short time, Grumpy became one of the most successful and highest-paid animal actors of all time.
According to sources, Grumpy Cat's net worth was estimated to range from $1-$100 million
Even her image, which appeared in a myriad of items like tote bags, mugs, and t-shirts, had been licensed and copyrighted. Last July 2013, Grumpy Cat also published a book that landed #7 on the New York Times Bestseller List.
Her book was followed by a sequel entitled "The Grumpy Guide to Life" as well as a calendar after her name. Grumpy Cat also attended in TV shows like Good Morning America.
The Unfortunate Death
Last May 14, Grumpy Cat's family announced on social media that our beloved feline had passed away peacefully last Tuesday morning. Despite receiving adequate care from top medical professionals, Grumpy developed complications from her urinary tract infection.
Unfortunately, Grumpy lost the battle to overcome the said infection. Despite her pain, she died peacefully in the arms of her beloved mother before she crossed the rainbow bridge. Her millions of fans would also never forget how she made them smile during the tough times.
