Still shining in her 80s

Most stars fade with age. Tempest Storm didn’t.

She kept performing into her 60s and made her final stage appearance in her 80s. Even in her later years, she insisted she felt most alive under the spotlight.

In 1999, Storm returned to the stage at San Francisco’s O’Farrell Theatre to celebrate the club’s 30th anniversary, prompting Mayor Willie Brown to declare a “Tempest Storm Day” in her honor. She continued performing at the annual Burlesque Hall of Fame Pageant events at least through 2010.

Her story was also captured in documentaries, including Tempest Storm (2016), which celebrated her enduring legacy.

A lasting legacy

In the later years of her life, Tempest Storm lived in Las Vegas, Nevada.

When she passed away in 2021 at 93, she left behind more than just memories of glittering costumes and glamorous shows.

She left behind a cultural revolution.

She proved sensuality doesn’t expire with age. She fought stereotypes about beauty and womanhood long before “feminist empowerment” was a mainstream phrase. And she paved the way for modern burlesque stars like Dita Von Teese, who proudly credit Storm as their inspiration.

Tempest Storm lived up to her name. She was unstoppable. She was unforgettable. She was a force of nature.