Julia Louis-Dreyfus speaks out for the first time on her sister’s tragic death

Actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus is speaking out for the first time on the tragic death of her beloved youngest sister who passed away in August. 

The actress was just returning to work on the set of Veep after undergoing breast cancer surgery and enjoying a vacation when she was hit with the bombshell news of her half-sister Emma Louis-Dreyfrus’ death. 

‘It was just out of the blue,’ the 57-year-old actress said to the New Yorker in a profile published Wednesday.  

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, 57, finally opened up about her sister Emma Louis-Dreyfus’ sudden death in August at the age of 44, saying ‘It was just out of the blue’

Emma Louis-Dreyfus, 44, died of a seizure after overdosing on cocaine and alcohol while camping in South Yuba River State Park, California on August 13

The actress said she received the horrific news after she returned to work on the set of Veep just a couple weeks earlier in August, after undergoing breast cancer surgery in February 

Emma, 44, died after suffering a seizure on August 13 at a campsite in South Yuba River State Park in California. 

She died of cocaine and ethanol intoxication. Her death was ruled accidental by the Nevada County Coroner’s Office in September.

The Veep star finally opened up on the difficulties of dealing with her half sister’s death saying she’s kept it under wraps ‘out of reverence for my dearest Emma’.  

‘It’s been a very bad period of time,’ she said. 

She and Emma are the daughters of billionaire William Louis-Dreyfus. The French-born businessman was the head of the powerful Louis-Dreyfus family commodities-trading firm and had an estimated wealth of $3.4 billion.

Emma, a social worker, did not leave a will at the time of her death and had an estate worth $23 million. 

She had also recently set up a company for the purpose of developing property for marijuana production, investing $4.5 million into the project. 

Louis-Dreyfus has had a difficult past two years grappling with her father and her sister’s deaths. 

In September 2016 the actress’ father passed away and two days later she won her seventh Emmy Award.

Julia and Emma are the daughters of billionaire William Louis-Dreyfus, who passed away in September 2016. Julia and father pictured at a state dinner at the White House in February 2014

In September 2016 the actress’ father passed away and two days later she was won her seventh Emmy Award. Julia and father pictured together in May 2014

While accepting the accolade she dedicated the award with tears to her late father. 

‘Lastly, I’d like to dedicate this to my father, William Louis-Dreyfus, who passed away on Friday. I’m so glad that he liked Veep because his opinion was the one that really mattered,’ she said. 

In September 2017 she revealed she was battling stage two breast cancer and production on the upcoming seventh season of Veep was delayed as she received treatment for the cancer. 

She underwent breast cancer surgery in February and the actress is now in remission.

In October she was awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.

During her acceptance speech she  reflected on her recovery process.   

‘The old cliché about laughter being the best medicine turns out to be true: when I was getting my hideous chemotherapy, I’d cram a bunch of friends and family into the tiny treatment room with me. We really did have some great laughs. Of course, I was heavily medicated and slipping in and out of consciousness, so I was a pretty easy audience,’ she said. 

‘My point is that laughter is a basic human need along with love, and food and an HBO subscription,’ she added wiping away tears.