Iconic black & white child film star Shirley Temple dead at 85

One of Hollywood's most beloved and idolized child stars, Shirley Temple Black, passed away this week at the age of 85 years old. The child star and former politician died of natural causes in Woodside, California, surrounded by loved ones on February 10, 2014.

Shirley's family released a statement in regards to the passing of this American icon:

"We salute her for a life of remarkable achievements as an actor, as a diplomat, and most importantly as our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and adored wife of fifty-five years of the late and much missed Charles Alden Black. We ask that our family be given the opportunity at this time to grieve privately."

As a child star, Temple was responsible for keeping hope alive during a tumultuous time in the United States. In the midst of the Great Depression, moviegoers would flock to see the dimple-faced child actress on the big screen in order to cheer up.

Singing "The Good Ship Lollipop," the young star changed the world, really.

"As long as our country has Shirley Temple, we will be all right," President Franklin Roosevelt proclaimed during the time of rebuilding after the depression.

The Hollywood Reporter reports:

Making $1,250 a week at age 6, the incandescent Temple was a veteran of 46 features and one-reelers before she turned 13. A huge star in a pint-sized package, she received an average of 16,000 letters a month, and for one birthday, fans sent her 167,000 presents. She was the subject of a Salvador Dali surrealistic painting, and a non-alcoholic drink garnished with a ‪maraschino cherry was invented and named after her so kids and adults could "imbibe" together.