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SANTA CLARITA -- Gidget the Chihuahua, the star of the 1990's Taco Bell ad campaign, has died at the age of 15.
Her owner, Karin McElhatton, says Gidget suffered a massive stroke late Tuesday night at her home in Santa Clarita and had to be euthanized.
McElhatton, owner of Studio Animal Services in Castaic, says Gidget was otherwise in good health up to the day of her death, eating well and playing with her favorite squeaky toys.
"She was retired. She lived like a queen, very pampered," McElhatton said.
In a 1997 Taco Bell television commercial, Gidget portrayed a male dog who, through the magic of special effects and a voice actor, proclaims in a richly accented voice: "Yo quiero Taco Bell" - Spanish for "I want Taco Bell."
Viewers reaction turned a single commercial into a 3 year ad campaign.
During her life, Gidget traveled first-class, opened up the New York Stock Exchange and made an appearance at Madison Square Garden.
She did other acting work, appearing in a 2002 commercial for the insurance company GEICO and in the 2003 movie "Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde."
Gidget will be cremated, McElhatton said.
Taco Bell Corp. said in a statement Gidget would be missed by many. "Our deepest sympathies go out to her owners and fans," the company said.
Her owner, Karin McElhatton, says Gidget suffered a massive stroke late Tuesday night at her home in Santa Clarita and had to be euthanized.
McElhatton, owner of Studio Animal Services in Castaic, says Gidget was otherwise in good health up to the day of her death, eating well and playing with her favorite squeaky toys.
"She was retired. She lived like a queen, very pampered," McElhatton said.
In a 1997 Taco Bell television commercial, Gidget portrayed a male dog who, through the magic of special effects and a voice actor, proclaims in a richly accented voice: "Yo quiero Taco Bell" - Spanish for "I want Taco Bell."
Viewers reaction turned a single commercial into a 3 year ad campaign.
During her life, Gidget traveled first-class, opened up the New York Stock Exchange and made an appearance at Madison Square Garden.
She did other acting work, appearing in a 2002 commercial for the insurance company GEICO and in the 2003 movie "Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde."
Gidget will be cremated, McElhatton said.
Taco Bell Corp. said in a statement Gidget would be missed by many. "Our deepest sympathies go out to her owners and fans," the company said.
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