Entertainment · Celebrity · 17 hrs ago
Martin Short honors late daughter with mental health award
At a gala in Los Angeles, Martin Short honored his daughter Katherine, who died by suicide in February at age 42.
Selena Gomez introduced the Katherine Short Legacy Award in her memory.
Katherine was a social worker who helped people through difficult times.
Short said his family sees mental health conditions as illnesses, like cancer, and urged people not to hide them as a source of shame.
The award recognizes people supporting their communities, carrying forward Katherine’s commitment to helping others.
Gomez’s Rare Impact Fund supports youth mental health groups and initiatives; it has raised more than $30 million and aims to raise $100 million.
Martin Short honored his late daughter Katherine at Selena Gomez’s Rare Impact Fund Gala in Los Angeles.
Gomez introduced the Katherine Short Legacy Award in memory of Katherine, a social worker who died by suicide in February at age 42.
Short spoke about his family’s grief and said mental health is an illness that should not be hidden or treated as a family embarrassment.
The gala marked the fourth annual benefit for the Rare Impact Fund, which has raised more than $30 million for youth mental health organizations and initiatives.
- Who
- Martin Short and Selena Gomez. The award honors Short’s late daughter, Katherine.
- What
- Short spoke at the gala as Gomez introduced the Katherine Short Legacy Award.
- When
- Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026.
- Where
- The Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles.
- Why
- The award honors Katherine’s work as a social worker and recognizes people committed to their communities. The gala supports youth mental health organizations and initiatives.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Katherine Short died by suicide at age 42.
Selena Gomez hosted the fourth annual Rare Impact Fund Gala in Los Angeles and introduced the Katherine Short Legacy Award.
Martin Short spoke at the gala and helped present the award.
- Award
- Katherine Short Legacy Award
- Event
- Fourth annual Rare Impact Fund Gala
- Venue
- Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles
- Funds raised
- More than $30 million for youth mental health organizations and initiatives
- Katherine Short
- Died by suicide in February 2026 at age 42
5 sources
Martin Short opens up about ‘heartbreak’ of daughter Katherine’s suicide
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What people are saying
It has been the heartbreak of our family, as you can imagine.
They are diseases, and sometimes diseases are terminal.
Katherine fought for so long with extreme mental health issues — borderline personality [disorder], other things — and she did the best she could until she couldn’t.
This award will carry her name forward by honoring people who have made that same kind of commitment to their communities.