Sylvia Browne, famed psychic and bestselling author, died Wednesday, November 20 at the age of 77.

Sylvia Browne And Montel Williams

Browne made her psychic gifts a career by holding public forums of prayer and personal readings and by assisting in criminal cases. She authored over 40 books, 22 of which ended up on the New York Times best sellers list and appeared on countless television shows throughout her career. She was a regular guest on The Montel Williams Show for 17 years, making her last appearance in 2007.

“A beacon that shined for so many was extinguished today, but its brightness was relit and will now shine forever for many of us from above. I, like so many of you, lost a friend today. But, as has been for the last twenty years, she’ll always remain a part of me. My thoughts and prayers go out to Sylvia’s family in this time of loss,” Montel Williams said in a statement.

Browne’s official bio states that she used her supernatural talents to help others for almost 60 years: “Having been called upon to assist individuals, families, and law enforcement agencies across the U.S. and Canada on criminal investigations, she worked tirelessly as an advocate for justice, receiving several commendations for the positive impact her contributions provided.”

Browne, a fervent believer of reincarnation, has consulted with countless people, telling them their past lives and what lay ahead in their futures. She established The Nirvana Foundation for Psychic Research in 1974 and founded The Sylvia Browne Hypnosis Training Center, where her hypnosis techniques were taught to others.

“I don’t know how I do it… I’ve done it all my life,” Browne said during an appearance on Larry King Live.

Browne Wrong About Amanda Berry

Browne’s successful career is not completely blemish-free. In 2004, Browne famously told Amanda Berry’s parents, whose daughter was missing at the time, that their daughter had died. Berry was found and rescued in 2013 after being held captive for ten years along with her daughter and two other women, Michelle Knight and Gina DeJesus, by Ariel Castro in Cleveland. After Berry’s rescue, many used her case as evidence that Browne was a fraud, but Browne went on and released a statement acknowledging the error:

“For more than 50 years as a spiritual psychic and guide, when called upon to either help authorities with missing person cases or to help families with questions about their loved ones, I have been more right than wrong. If ever was a time to be grateful and relieved for being mistaken, this is that time. Only God is right all the time. My heart goes out to Amanda Berry, her family, the other victims and their families. I wish you a peaceful recovery."

Along with Browne’s official statement was assurances from Sherry Cole, a cousin of Berry’s, who stated that her family holds no ill will towards Browne.

Browne is survived her husband, Michael Ulery, two sons Christopher and Paul, three grandchildren and her sister Sharon Bortolussi.

– Olivia Truffaut-Wong

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