The statement, posted on her Instagram account, shared that Hussey died peacefully at her home on Friday, surrounded by her loved ones.
A friend of Hussey's, Marc Huestis, revealed to CBS News that the actress had been battling cancer.
Hussey was only 15 when director Franco Zeffirelli selected her for the role of Juliet in his cinematic rendition of Shakespeare's tragedy. He had spotted her performing in the play "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" alongside Vanessa Redgrave.
The film "Romeo and Juliet" garnered two Academy Awards, and Hussey herself received a Golden Globe for best new actress for her captivating performance as Juliet opposite 16-year-old British actor Leonard Whiting as Romeo.
However, decades later, Hussey and Whiting filed a lawsuit against Paramount Pictures, alleging sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and fraud in relation to nude scenes included in the film.
They claimed that they had been assured they would wear flesh-colored undergarments in a bedroom scene, but on the day of filming, Zeffirelli insisted they wear only body makeup, assuring them the camera angles would avoid any nudity. They alleged that they were filmed nude without their consent or knowledge.
The case was dismissed by a Los Angeles County judge in 2023, who ruled that the depiction did not constitute child pornography and that the pair had filed their claim beyond the statute of limitations.
Born on April 17, 1951, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Hussey relocated to London during her childhood.
In addition to her renowned role as Juliet, she also portrayed Mary, mother of Jesus, in the 1977 television series "Jesus of Nazareth," and appeared in the 1978 film adaptation of Agatha Christie's "Death on the Nile."
Hussey is survived by her husband, David Glen Eisley, her three children, and a grandson.
