On October 22, 1926, a surprising and tragic event took place that would ultimately lead to the death of legendary magician and escape artist Harry Houdini. Houdini was performing at the Princess Theatre in Montreal, Canada, when a visitor named J. Gordon Whitehead delivered a series of unexpected punches to his stomach in his dressing room. The incident set off a chain of events that would end with Houdini’s death just days later.
Whitehead, a student from McGill University, had heard that Houdini could withstand hard punches to the abdomen, a stunt the magician often demonstrated during his performances. During the visit, Whitehead asked if this was true, and without warning, he struck Houdini multiple times in the stomach. Houdini, who was reclining on a couch at the time and not prepared for the attack, didn’t have time to tighten his muscles to absorb the blows.
Despite being in pain, Houdini continued with his scheduled performances over the next few days. However, his condition worsened, and after collapsing during a show in Detroit, he was rushed to the hospital. Doctors discovered that Houdini was suffering from acute appendicitis, and his appendix had ruptured, causing a serious infection known as peritonitis. Houdini underwent surgery on October 24, but his health continued to decline, and he passed away on October 31, 1926, at the age of 52.
The connection between Whitehead’s punches and Houdini’s appendicitis has been debated for years. Some believe the punches directly caused the ruptured appendix, while others think Houdini may have already been suffering from the condition, and the attack simply made it worse. Regardless, the incident is widely considered to have contributed to Houdini’s tragic death.
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Houdini’s death, much like his life, became shrouded in mystery, adding to the legend of the famous escape artist. Even today, the story of the fatal punch is one of the most talked-about events in Houdini’s incredible career.