Husband Wants You to See the Annette Funicello You Didn’t Know [VIDEO]

Since the news of her passing Monday, the images of beautiful, young, vivacious Annette Funicello from the 1950's and 60's have been everywhere.

Generations of Americans equate her TV and movie work with their youth, either as the breakout star of the Mickey Mouse Club in the 50's or the numerous beach party movies with Frankie Avalon from the 1960's.

Funicello made her last TV appearance in the 1990's however, and very few images of her or her struggles with multiple sclerosis have been seen since. Her husband, one-time horse trainer Glen Holt, who stood by her during the good times and bad, is now asking that we get a look at Annette in those last years of her life, as a way of teaching about the ravages of her decease.

In 2012, Canadian TV,  the CTV flagship current affairs program W5 profiled Funicello as an update on her after she had spent fifteen years out of the public eye. The profile revealed that her disease had severely damaged her nervous system; Funicello had lost the ability to walk in 2004, the ability to speak in 2009, and, at the time of the profile, required round-the-clock care to survive.

In the profile, Holt discussed Funicello's current state, as well as the numerous medical interventions and treatments attempted to improve her condition.

This is tough viewing,but Annette 's legacy deserves that we do watch and learn. Among the many things I took away from this profile is the strength of the love Glen had for Annette until the very end.  With all of its tragedy, this is still a love story.

Clink this link to see the CTV W5 profile...