Actor Leonardo Dicaprio (2nd R) watches the action above Cleveland Cavaliers' Daniel Gibson (1) during the second half of Game 2 of the cavaliers' NBA Eastern Conference semi-final basketball playoff series against the Boston Celtics in Boston, Massachusetts May 8, 2008. [Agencies]
Leonardo DiCaprio has been left devastated by the death of his grandmother. The 'Titanic' actor - who took Helene Indenbirken to the German premiere of his movie 'The Aviator' in 2005 - had a close relationship with the 93-year-old relative he affectionately called Oma.
Leonardo's family confirmed late last night that Helene had died at her home in Oer-Erkenschwick near Recklinghausen in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. No exact date or cause of death has been reported, but it is believe Helene had been in poor health for some time.
Leonardo and his mother reportedly visited her in hospital last week. The actor is expected to return to Oer-Erkenschwick for a memorial service in the next few days. Speaking at 'The Aviator' premiere, Leonardo said: "It's always good to see Oma."
The 33-year-old also invited Helene to the set of 'Blood Diamond' in South Africa, and regularly visited her when he was in Europe.
He has regularly praised his grandmother's forthright attitude and once said: "She is literally gangsta, and I mean that with an 'a.' She will tell people exactly what she thinks to their face and look them in the eye."