Shannen Doherty’s crippling debt revealed after her tragic death

The Charmed star, who passed away aged 53 over the weekend, was battling a dire financial situation while fighting cancer.

Shannen Doherty died while struggling with crippling financial debt, it’s been claimed.

The iconic TV star was struggling so much that she had been forced to take out an unconventional $3 million mortgage and an $150,000 (AU$222,820) bank loan while fighting her aggressive cancer, according to The U.S. Sun.

The former Beverly Hills 90210 actress died on Saturday following a years-long battle with breast cancer. She was just 53.

Doherty was in a gruelling battle for her life while fighting her ex-husband, Kurt Iswarienko, in court just hours before she took her last breath.

The star claimed Iswarienko was waiting until she lost her battle with cancer so he could avoid paying spousal support, she previously told People.

Shannen Doherty was in crippling debt at the time of her tragic death. Picture: Richard Dobson.

Doherty tragically died owing a fortune to financial institutions and over a quarter of a million dollars in legal fees amid her bitter divorce process.

Doherty split with her estranged ex had been dragged through the courts since last April, only to come to an end just 24 hours before her death.

The actress asked a judge for $15,434 (AU$22,926) monthly, but Iswarienko appeared unwilling to pay.

As a result, less than a year before her death, Doherty was forced to take out a massive $3 million (AU$4.46m) home loan on her Malibu property with ClearEdge Lending LLC in December 2023, according to documents.

The company offers non-qualifying mortgages to people who do not usually meet the requirements for traditional home loans.

Doherty’s health struggles and divorce proceedings had driven her into debt. Picture: Buckner/Getty Images/AFP.

Doherty revealed in court records that it was “simply not right that Kurt be permitted to prolong our divorce in hopes that I die before he is required to pay me while he continues to live his life and shirk his responsibilities to his dying wife of more than 11 years.”

As a result of her health and legal battles, records have shown that the legendary TV actress was sadly struggling financially behind the scenes.

Her only asset was reportedly her Malibu home, which is said to be worth around $6 million.

In the three years before her death, the actress earned $21,642 a month through her firm, Shando Productions Inc, according to The Sun US.

However, her expenses were a massive $53,080 a month, which meant that she had a shortfall every month of $31,438.

Doherty had huge outgoings, having paid her divorce lawyer $99,430, according to documents.

But, the actress still owed an additional $170,635.

Other expenses included a $19,375 a-month mortgage and interest-only repayments of $731 on a $150,000 Small Business Administration load.

In 2018, Doherty took out another home loan for $2.8 million.

The monthly interest rate for that loan skyrocketed last August by 3.25 percent, according to financial documents.

Meanwhile, Doherty also had monthly bills, including $3,590 in property taxes, $4,103 in house maintenance, and $1,548 in utilities.

It’s unclear why Doherty took out the $3 million home load upfront.

Following her death, stars including Sarah Michelle Gellar came out to pay their respects with touching tributes on social media.

Holly Marie Combs (right) was among Doherty’s co-stars to share their grief on social media over her death. Photo: Imeh Akpanudosen.

“How do you possibly find the right words to sum up 30 years of friendship? I keep reminding myself it only hurts this much because there was so much love,” Gellar wrote on Instagram along with a collection of candid photos of the pair together over the years.

Gellar also suggested a way to honour Doherty’s memory: “More than anything, Shan loves animals, especially dogs. In her memory let’s support our favourite animal charities,” she offered.

“Whether that’s donating money, stopping by your local shelter and just offering cuddles and walks to animals housed there or even just tagging them in the comments so other people can learn about their work. I know that would make our girl happy (and illicit that deep throaty laugh we all loved),” she wrote.

In another moving statement, Holly Marie Combs called her on-screen sister her “better half of 31 years.”

“There is a hollow in my chest and I can’t seem to catch my breath. A part of me is missing even though I know exactly what you would say to me right now. I know exactly what you would tell me to do right now. I know your undying spirit will live in me and my kids who you loved as your own. They will walk with your sense of purpose and pride. They will be truthful and stand up for what is right,” she wrote.