It is hard to find a TV character more iconic than Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan. For eleven seasons, we watched her evolve from a high-strung, one-dimensional foil into the beating heart of the 4077th. When news broke that Loretta Swit died in May 2025, it felt like losing a member of the family for millions of fans. She was 87.
Honestly, the headlines were everywhere for a week, but the details got a bit muddled in the social media churn. People were asking: was it a long illness? Was she struggling in private? The truth is actually a lot more peaceful than the rumor mill might suggest.
What did Loretta Swit die of exactly?
According to her longtime publicist, Harlan Boll, Swit passed away at her home in New York City. The official cause was cited as natural causes.
There wasn't some hidden, dramatic health battle that she kept from her fans. She wasn't languishing in a hospital bed. In fact, she had been remarkably active and engaged right up until the end. She was found in her apartment by her assistant on a Friday morning, having passed away shortly after midnight. It was the kind of exit many of us hope for—quiet, in her own space, and without a prolonged struggle.
It's kinda poetic, really. Swit was a powerhouse of energy throughout her life. She was a strict vegan long before it was trendy, having made the switch back in the early 80s. She often credited her longevity and sharp mind to her lifestyle and her relentless passion for animal activism.
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Her final days and that poignant last post
You've probably seen the "eerie" or "poignant" labels on her last social media activity. It wasn't that she knew the end was coming, but she was definitely in a reflective mood.
Just days before she passed, on Memorial Day 2025, she posted a tribute to the men and women who served in the military. She used a still from MASH*, showing her in her nurse’s uniform. It was a full-circle moment. She spent her final weeks celebrating her colleagues, posting birthday wishes for Jeff Maxwell (who played Private Igor) and sharing memories of the show that defined her career.
There is something deeply comforting about knowing she was "fine" just twenty-four hours earlier. Her publicist mentioned speaking to her the night before, and she was her usual, vibrant self. No signs of distress. No looming crisis.
More than just Hot Lips
While everyone wants to know what happened at the end, the real story is what she did with those 87 years. Loretta Swit didn't just play a nurse; she transformed how women were seen on television.
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When MASH* started in 1972, Margaret was basically a punchline. She was the "antagonist" to Hawkeye and Trapper’s antics. But Swit wasn't having it. She pushed the writers. She demanded that Margaret be competent, lonely, professional, and vulnerable. By the time the series finale—the most-watched episode in TV history—rolled around, Margaret Houlihan was a hero.
After the show ended, she didn't just retire to a mansion. She:
- Starred in over 1,000 performances of Shirley Valentine.
- Wrote books on needlepoint (she was surprisingly obsessed with it).
- Became one of the most vocal advocates for animal rights in Hollywood through her SwitHeart Animal Alliance.
She was the first person cast as Christine Cagney in the Cagney & Lacey pilot, though contract issues with MASH* prevented her from doing the full series. Imagine how different TV history would look if she'd been able to do both.
The legacy of a New York legend
Living in New York City for decades, she was a staple of the theater scene. She wasn't a "Hollywood" person in the stereotypical sense. She loved the grit and the art of the stage.
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Her co-stars, like Alan Alda and Jamie Farr, were devastated by the news. Alda’s tribute was particularly moving, noting that she didn't just play the part—she "created" it. They remained close for over fifty years, a rarity in an industry known for shallow relationships.
Basically, Loretta Swit lived a full, loud, and impactful life. She died of natural causes at 87, leaving behind a legacy of activism and a character that will likely be studied as long as television exists.
Keeping her memory alive
If you’re looking for a way to honor her, her family and estate have consistently pointed toward her favorite cause. She didn't want statues; she wanted shelter dogs to have homes.
- Support Animal Charities: Swit spent the last thirty years of her life working with groups like PETA and her own alliance.
- Revisit the Evolution: Watch Season 1 of MASH* and then jump to Season 11. The change in her performance is a masterclass in character development.
- Check out her art: She was a prolific painter and needlepoint artist. Her book, A Needlepoint Scrapbook, is still a favorite for hobbyists.
Loretta Swit's death marks the end of an era for classic television, but she certainly didn't go out with a whimper. She remained the "Major" until the very last second.