At 74, Cassandra Peterson, the woman behind the legendary Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, is embracing life’s next chapter with humor, grace, and a little witchy charm. Though she has officially retired the iconic cleavage-baring black gown and towering wig, the pop culture queen remains as vibrant as ever.
“People ask me, ‘Why aren’t you doing the costume anymore?’ I’m like, ‘Girl, nobody wants to see that,’” Peterson told Yahoo’s Unapologetically series.
But make no mistake — Elvira is far from gone. As Peterson puts it, “The character lives a separate life without me.” After nearly 45 years, Elvira has evolved from a late-night horror hostess to a multimedia phenomenon with cookbooks, conventions, and even new Halloween attractions.
Her brand features not only her books and movies, but also action figures, T-shirts, wall posters, and other highly sought-after collectibles. Elvira is not only the Mistress of the Dark, but she has also become the Queen of Halloween.
Elvira Lives On — The Queen of Halloween Reigns Supreme
Peterson’s beloved alter ego continues to haunt pop culture, proving that Elvira is much more than a costume. This Halloween season, she released Elvira’s Cookbook From Hell: Sexy, Spooky Soirées and Celebrations for Every Occasion — a devilishly delicious collection featuring recipes such as Sausage Guts, Roasted Brains, and Slithering Serpentine Salad.
