 In May 1967 Leigh was rehearsing to appear with Michael Redgrave in Edward Albee 's A Delicate Balance when her tuberculosis recurred . Following several weeks of rest , she seemed to recover . On the night of 7 July 1967 , Merivale left her as usual at their Eaton Square flat , to perform in a play , and returned home just before midnight to find her asleep . About 30 minutes later , he returned to the bedroom and discovered her body on the floor . She had been attempting to walk to the bathroom and , as her lungs filled with liquid , they collapsed and she suffocated . Merivale first contacted her family and the next day was able to reach Olivier , who was receiving treatment for prostate cancer in a nearby hospital . In his autobiography , Olivier described his " grievous anguish " as he immediately travelled to Leigh 's residence , to find that Merivale had moved her body onto the bed . Olivier paid his respects , and " stood and prayed for forgiveness for all the evils that had sprung up between us " , before helping Merivale make funeral arrangements ; Olivier stayed until her body was removed from the flat . 
