Whether the child is an adult or not yet born, losing a child is the worst thing in the world.

Since it’s well known that the renowned Hollywood actor lost his first child, Sage Stallone, in 2012, Sylvester Stallone can witness to this firsthand.

Perhaps less widely known is the fact that, only weeks before he passed away, Sage’s mother, Sasha Czack, Stallone’s ex-wife, had urged that Sage forego having a significant dental operation.

There were many ideas before the official cause of Sage’s abrupt and unexpected death was revealed; others thought it might have been suicide, drugs, or alcohol. But in the end, the reality would be more devastating than anyone could have predicted.

Tough Childhood, Tough Adulthood

Being in the situation of losing a child is unimaginable. However, even before his son passed away at the age of 36, Sylvester “Rocky Balboa” Stallone had to deal with a difficult situation.

In many respects, Stallone’s real life was very similar to the iconic Rocky Balboa role that made him one of the most well-liked actors in Hollywood.

Sylvester was rough from birth before he had to learn to be harsh. He faced life head-on, and it wasn’t an easy task. One of his facial nerves was cut due to an issue during delivery, paralyzing a portion of his chin and tongue.

One could argue that Stallone’s signature snarl, which is the result of this same tragedy and its aftermath, helped make him a popular public figure. However, as a child, the effect was far from favorable.

Oh no! Once more, it’s birthday time! Thankfully, you are only as old as you feel! Hey, as long as you never give up, it’s acceptable to grow up.

Sylvester Stallone published this on Thursday, July 6, 2017.

Since of his deformities, Stallone was severely tormented, and he has said that he feels like “Mr. Potato Head” since pieces of his face are positioned incorrectly. Even worse, Stallone had no safe haven to return to because his mother was frigid and only “kissed him twice” during his entire upbringing, and his father was violent.

It should come as no surprise that this made Stallone a fairly troubled child. He got himself into trouble all the time. He had already broken eleven bones and been expelled from thirteen schools by the time he was twelve, among other things for jumping off a roof while holding an umbrella.

Eventually, Stallone’s journey took him to bodybuilding and ultimately to acting. Years passed during which Stallone barely made it before he achieved his amazing popularity. He has talked of sleeping at Manhattan’s Port Authority when homeless.

He withstood the severe New York winters in those hard times wearing only one coat. In an interview, he reflected on its significance and said, “That coat saved my life.”

After he was cast in the first Rocky series in 1976, things drastically improved.

From Rags to Riches

Photographer and filmmaker Sasha Czack was Stallone’s first wife, whom he married shortly before he became famous and wealthy. Sage, born in 1976, and Seargeoh, born in 1979, were their two sons together.

After Sylvester and Czack parted ways in 1985, he wed actress and model Brigitte Nielsen later that year. Unfortunately, that romance would not last either, and two years later they got divorced.

In 1997, Stallone married model and businesswoman Jennifer Flavin, with whom he is currently married and has three daughters: Sophia, Sistine, and Scarlet Stallone. As they say, “The third time’s a charm.”

An Untimely Death

Therefore, it’s possible to draw the conclusion that Stallone’s life experienced both highs and lows. However, the loss of his firstborn son, Sage, was undoubtedly the lowest point of his life.

Throughout his brief 36-year existence, Sage Stallone, a movie buff and businessman, also experimented with acting. He also costarred with his father in a couple of films, including Daylight and Rocky V.

Sage founded Grindhouse Releasing, a company dedicated to film preservation, restoration, and remastering.

Sage’s housekeeper found him dead in his condominium in the Los Angeles region on July 13, 2012. Almost quickly, rumors circulated regarding the cause of death.

Sage’s exact time of death was initially unclear; according to certain media sources, he might have been dead for a few days before being discovered. Evidence of a final Facebook post made just 17 hours prior to his body’s discovery subsequently disproved this story.

There were other tales, such as the one that said Sage had a room full of booze bottles. This in turn gave rise to the hypothesis that drug or alcohol misuse was a factor in Sage’s death.

George Braunstein, Sage’s lifelong friend and lawyer, assisted in dispelling these rumors. Braunstein claims that although Sage smoked and drank soda and candies, he did not consume alcohol. Indeed, Dr. Brown’s Cream Soda was all that was in the “suspect” bottles in his room.

“Sage was a really young, very sensitive, and very talented kid. There has been no indication that there was anything wrong in his life,” Braunstein said, adding that Sage never had any serious health problems or a history of drug or alcohol abuse.

Another theory that had been swirling about Sage’s unexplained death was ultimately disproved: suicide. The young man was getting ready to marry his long-term lover, and no suicide note was ever discovered.

“He was very creative, energetic and very full of life,” Braunstein told E! News. “There was nothing dark or depressing, no problems, certainly no financial problems.”

“The final cause of death has been deferred for additional testing,” the coroner’s office said in a statement. “No results will be released until testing is complete—six to eight weeks minimum. LAPD has requested a security hold on further details related to the death.”

A Father’s Grief

Sage’s death sparked suspicions, so Stallone asked for privacy and respect for the family, saying that losing a kid is the worst agony a parent can experience.

He urged everyone to have a positive memory of Sage and to show sympathy for him and his ex-wife, Czack.

“I am imploring people to respect my wonderfully talented son’s memory and feel compassion for his loving mother Sasha, because this agonizing loss will be felt for the rest of our lives,” he said.

Stallone went on to say that Sage was particularly special to him because she was his firstborn.

“Sage was our first child and the center of our universe and I am humbly begging for all to have my son’s memory and soul left in peace,” he said.

The Truth Unveiled

It was eventually discovered that, in spite of his mother’s entreaties not to, Sage had had dental surgery two weeks before to his passing.

“I told him not to do that. I’ve heard about people dying having multiple procedures done to your mouth,” she said. “Do not have more than one tooth [pulled].”

Sage nevertheless proceeded to get five of his teeth extracted. According to Czack, he later took pills to reduce his suffering. He died two weeks later.

Finally, in late August 2012, the cause of Sage’s death was made public: According to autopsy records, Sage passed away from atherosclerosis, a condition in which the arteries stiffen and cause a heart attack. Although there was evidence of painkillers in his system, the toxicology analysis indicated that there had not been an overdose.

The Way Forward

Stallone called the weeks of waiting for the cause of death a “very tough” and genuinely heartbreaking period.

In an effort to distract himself as much as possible and ease his sadness, Stallone made a concerted effort to return to his work.

He can stand proudly today with his second son and three lovely children, and he can only hope that time will continue to aid in his recovery.

Yes, the rest of the Stallone family is doing quite well. Seargeoh, his second kid, has never been in the public eye despite having an autism diagnosis as a toddler.

Scarlet is a model and aspiring actress, and the “Unwaxed” podcast is hosted by sisters Sophia and Sistine.