The secrets of Andy Warhol's death

Andy Warhol died less than 12 hours after a gallbladder surgery. The artist had been sick for at least a month before the operation. He had a history of gallstones and a family history. Warol had taken speed for years. He was dehydrated and gaunt because he had not eaten in a while. Dr John Ryan, a medical historian and retired surgeon, has published an analysis of the case. It is 30 years since War hol died. His death shocked the world. In 1987 the headlines were confusing. Now Dr Ryan says the media's narrative has been wrong for many years and the truth is not so cloudy.

Andy Warhol suffered from many health problems throughout his life. He had a gallbladder removed in 1928 and died from complications. At the age of 8 he came down with chorea, a rare disease. His studio, the Factory, was the hangout for amphetamine (speed) users. War Hol was addicted to Obetrol, marketed today as Adderall, which he took daily. In 1968 he was shot at close range by Valerie Solanas. He also had hypochondria and was worried about catching cancer. The last years of his live he worried most about AIDS.