What happened to Heklina? What was her cause of death?
by A Maria
Updated Apr 06, 2023
Who was Stefan Grygelko?
Heklina, whose real name was Stefan Grygelko, was an American actor, drag queen, and entrepreneur based in San Francisco. He was born on June 17, 1967, and passed away on April 3, 2023. Grygelko's mother was Icelandic, and he had lived in Iceland during the 1980s. He named his drag persona after the Icelandic volcano Hekla. Grygelko founded the drag club Trannyshack in 1996. On April 3, 2023, Peaches Christ, a co-star, discovered Grygelko's lifeless body in London. Heklina was 55 years old.
What happened to Heklina?
Heklina, a cherished drag performer in San Francisco, has passed away. Stefan Grygelko, known by the stage name Heklina, was found dead on Monday morning in London by Peaches Christ, a close friend and fellow drag performer who was in the city for a performance of "Mommie Queerest," a parody of the film Mommie Dearest which they have performed in many cities. Peaches Christ wrote a statement on Facebook, expressing shock and horror, and informing people that Heklina was not only her best friend but a beloved icon of their community. The cause of death is unknown at this time. The Soho Theater, where the drag show was scheduled to run for two weeks, confirmed the news of Heklina's passing.
What was Heklina cause of death?
According to social media reports, Heklina, a famous drag queen from San Francisco, was found dead in London where she was performing in a touring show. Heklina, whose real name was Stefan Grygelko, was on tour with fellow drag queen Peaches Christ in "Mommie Queerest," a musical parody of the 1981 film "Mommie Dearest." Peaches Christ posted on both their Facebook pages and their personal page, confirming Heklina's death and stating that they do not know the cause of death. The Soho Theatre, where the show was being held, confirmed the news and expressed their shock and sadness at Heklina's passing.
San Francisco drag legend Heklina dies
Heklina was a co-founder and long-time host of Trannyshack, a popular drag event series in San Francisco that she hosted at the Stud bar since its inception in 1996. The event continued to grow, with Heklina co-producing and co-hosting the annual Miss Trannyshack Pageant, which became the premier annual drag event in San Francisco. In 2015, Trannyshack was rebranded as Mother and became a weekly event at The Oasis in San Francisco.
Aside from her work in the drag community, Heklina was also involved in local theater productions and hosted a variety of community and charitable events in San Francisco, including the Folsom Street Fair and San Francisco Pride.
In 2014, Heklina and three business partners purchased the former Oasis nightclub in San Francisco's SoMa district and turned it into a theater and cabaret nightclub with diverse programming featuring drag stars, cabaret and performing artists, live musical acts, and DJs.
In more recent years, Heklina appeared in drag parody shows, including Mommie Queerest, a drag parody of Mommie Dearest, in which she starred alongside Peaches Christ. They performed the show in Palm Springs and Seattle in 2022 and were set to perform it in London and Manchester in April 2023.
How much is Heklina net worth?
Heklina, also known by her real name Stefan Grygelko, was a renowned drag queen and performer who gained fame as the founder of The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a San Francisco-based drag troupe. As an accomplished entertainer and producer, Heklina is believed to have a net worth of around $10 million, mainly amassed through her successful career. Over the past two decades, she has participated in various local and international shows and events, as well as produced and hosted several popular drag events, including the highly-anticipated annual Trannyshack Pageant, which draws a large audience.
Heklina Bio
SPECIFICATIONS
DETAILS
Name
Stefan Grygelko
DOB
June 17, 1967
Place of birth
Hennepin, Minnesota, U.S.
Died
April 3, 2023 (aged 55)
London, England
Nationality
American
Occupations
What happened to Heklina - FAQs
Heklina, whose real name was Stefan Grygelko, was an American actor, drag queen, and entrepreneur based in San Francisco. He founded the drag club Trannyshack in 1996 and was a prominent figure in the LGBTQ+ community.
Heklina was known for being a drag queen, actor, and entrepreneur. He founded the drag club Trannyshack in 1996 and was a prominent figure in the LGBTQ+ community.
Heklina named his drag persona after the Icelandic volcano Hekla. His mother was Icelandic, and he had lived in Iceland during the 1980s.
On April 3, 2023, Peaches Christ, a co-star, discovered Heklina's lifeless body in London. Heklina passed away at the age of 55.
As of now, the cause of Heklina's death has not been publicly announced.