Way Bandy - Death

Death

Intensely private about his personal life, Bandy never revealed that he had contracted AIDS fearing the stigma of the disease would cost him work. When his health began to decline, he refused to see a doctor because he did not trust them. He instead opted for natural remedies (Bandy was known for his dedication to naturopathy and vegetarianism).

On August 6, 1986, Bandy was scheduled to do makeup for a photo shoot at Francesco Scavullo's studio. When Bandy arrived at the studio, he was too sick to work. Concerned about Bandy's deteriorating health, his agent called former Vogue editor-in-chief Grace Mirabella for advice. Mirabella contacted her husband, a doctor, who convinced Bandy to check into the hospital. Bandy relented and checked into NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital (then named New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center).

Bandy died of AIDS-related pneumonia at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital on August 13, 1986. He was cremated and a memorial service was later held in Manhattan. His ashes, along with the ashes of his lover Michael Gardine who died in 1985, were later scattered in a pine forest in Key West, Florida by his friend and estate executor Maury Hopson.

Before his death, Bandy requested that his cause of death be identified as AIDS-related in his obituary. He also requested that no survivors be named.