Escape artist Harry Houdini died of what causes?

The legendary escape artist Harry Houdini, born Erik Weisz, met his untimely end on Halloween in 1926, not in a daring escape gone wrong, but due to acute appendicitis. This medical condition, an inflammation of the appendix, ultimately led to peritonitis, a severe infection of the abdominal lining, which was the direct cause of his death at the age of 52.

The circumstances surrounding Houdini's final days are as intriguing as his illusions. While on tour in Montreal in October 1926, just days before his death, Houdini was visited backstage by a McGill University student named J. Gordon Whitehead. The student reportedly asked if Houdini could withstand powerful blows to the stomach and, without waiting for the magician to brace himself, delivered several forceful punches to his abdomen. Although Houdini initially shrugged off the pain, he soon developed severe discomfort and a high fever.

Despite his worsening condition, Houdini, ever the showman, continued to perform, even taking the stage for his final show in Detroit with a temperature of 104 degrees Fahrenheit and a diagnosis of acute appendicitis. He collapsed after the performance and was rushed to the hospital, where doctors discovered his appendix had ruptured, causing the fatal peritonitis. While doctors at the time believed the punches likely caused the appendicitis, modern medical opinion suggests it's possible the blows merely exacerbated a pre-existing condition or masked the pain, leading to a delay in seeking crucial medical treatment. Regardless, the great magician's incredible physical endurance could not overcome this internal, inescapable foe.