The Brief: The internet celebrated the life of viral meme sensation Grumpy Cat by sharing their favorite memes and capturing their own grumpy pets on camera.
DEEP DIVE
The cat who scratched her way into the hearts of many has passed away. Today, meme makers and lovers around the globe mourned the loss of perhaps the internet’s favorite feline: Grumpy Cat.
Grumpy Cat, whose real name is Tardar Sauce, became a viral sensation due to her “permanently” grumpy-looking face. She came to fame back in 2012, when Redditor, Bryan Bundeson shared a photo of her on the popular meme platform. Bryan is the brother of Grumpy Cat’s owner, Tabatha.
At the time of her death, Grumpy Cat had 1.5 million followers on Twitter, 2.4 million on Instagram and 8.5 million on Facebook.
News circulated across Twitter and Instagram after Grumpy Cat’s family, Tabatha, Bryan, and Chrystal, made a social media announcement on behalf of Grumpy Cat. According to their post, Grumpy Cat died on Tuesday May 14th due to complications from a urinary tract infection.
Many fans were quick to share some of their favorite Grumpy Cat memes as well as offer condolenses to Grumpy Cat’s family.
Unlike selfish Tony Stark's long overdue demise, a true hero will be mourned today and actual tears will be shed. #RIPGrumpyCat pic.twitter.com/jJ7wFzmslP
— Only Gob Forgives (@FilmGob) May 17, 2019
Legends never die.
Rest in peace Grumpy Cat. 😢#RIPGrumpyCat pic.twitter.com/FZaZrCSFPz— Christian Heerbeck (@chrisheerbeck) May 17, 2019
#RIPGrumpyCat Thanks for all the laughs and smiles! You'll be missed 💔 #GrumpyCat pic.twitter.com/FkzT5JEmXP
— Glee is Life (@ObsessedKlaine) May 17, 2019
Rest in peace Tardar Sauce AKA Grumpy Cat we will never forget your everlasting pout ❤️ pic.twitter.com/kJWq39QE3x
— AniMaser (@TheRealAniMaser) May 17, 2019
Rest in peace Tardar Sauce AKA Grumpy Cat. This cat has brought so much joy to mine and millions of other people’s lives the last few years. May she enjoy the Rainbow Bridge. Thank you to her owners for sharing her with us. I’m truly crushed by this 💔 https://t.co/0QHTqjadCQ
— ɢʀᴀᴄᴇ (@geewhizzle) May 17, 2019
#RIPGrumpyCat. Thanks for making us smile! @RealGrumpyCat pic.twitter.com/trvNOLYWwq
— Allan A. Mandanas (@allanmandy) May 17, 2019
It seems Grumpy Cat was known and admired by many, including Marvel icon, Stan Lee.
Grumpy Cat passed on today & this is my favourite picture of her.
RIP. 🖤 pic.twitter.com/utQmqoFpyq
— Naser (@NaserMestarihi) May 17, 2019
His celebrity status doesn’t stop there…
Rest in peace @RealGrumpyCat #rainbowbridge pic.twitter.com/qkS3Bowd89
— Tony La Russa (@TonyLaRussa) May 17, 2019
When Grumpy Cat met @carolkirkwood on @bbcbreakfast https://t.co/1DZe5wtkEN#RIPGrumpyCat pic.twitter.com/JzlTSALG3K
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) May 17, 2019
We're very sad to hear that @RealGrumpyCat has passed away. A true inspiration to many of us here at @hmvtweets. Here she is in 2016 meeting her fans at our Oxford Street store. #RIPGrumpyCat pic.twitter.com/cQQM1kGywv
— hmv (@hmvtweets) May 17, 2019
Some stans went as far as changing their social media profile pic to honor their fave kitty…
Changed my profile pic to honor Grumpy Cat. #RIP.
— Michael Okeefe (@Castle_Auto) May 17, 2019
While others shared original artwork to memorialize the internet sensation.
RIP Grumpy Cat. Your positivity was infectious. 😿 pic.twitter.com/QDjmZ6O08p
— SmartyKat (@kat_smarty) May 17, 2019
Fur-parents took things a step further, sharing grumpy-faced photos of their own cats (and sometimes dogs) to honor Grumpy Cat’s memory.
They tagged the photos using the hashtag #TweetaGrumpyFaceforGrumpy.
Mishi sending grumpy love #TweetAGrumpyFaceForGrumpy pic.twitter.com/NpgONIiJ40
— Harrison H. Parker (@omw2innisfree) May 17, 2019
I’m struggling to find a grumpy face of my Noodles so this is the best I could do. 🐈 #TweetAGrumpyFaceForGrumpy pic.twitter.com/96XGzit8Qb
— Nic Middlehurst (@Handbagimelda) May 17, 2019
My Leah joining in #TweetAGrumpyFaceForGrumpy pic.twitter.com/cHOEHHslC0
— Karen Tennents girl 🏴 (@karen_flynn) May 17, 2019
Happy to oblige! #TweetAGrumpyFaceForGrumpy #RIPGrumpyCat pic.twitter.com/l5pQaj3qF2
— 🦅Sarah Hawkeye Dalton🦅 (@FeralMother44) May 17, 2019
Our hearts go out to Grumpy Cat’s family and friends as well as the many people affected by her loss. One thing’s for sure: wherever she is, she’s sure to be unimpressed.