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California man, 97, dies at his own birthday party moments after dancing to Bee Gees’ ‘Stayin’ Alive’
Vito, a 97-year-old California man, died at his birthday party shortly after dancing to the Bee Gees’ “Stayin’ Alive” and celebrating with friends. His neighbour, baker Eden Malinoff, said he was full of energy and that his final moments were spent with people and music he loved.
Malinoff had organised a Halloween-themed party and made Vito a red wine chocolate cake. His best friend said Vito had medical issues whose seriousness was not known to those around him, and that he died peacefully. A video of the celebration and tribute has received 9.5 million views on TikTok.
In short
- Vito died peacefully at his 97th birthday party.
- He had danced to “Stayin’ Alive” shortly beforehand.
- A tribute video has drawn 9.5 million TikTok views.
Explained simply
Vito was a 97-year-old man in California whose neighbour, baker Eden Malinoff, organised a Halloween-themed birthday party for him. His friends gathered to celebrate, and Malinoff made him a red wine chocolate cake.
The Bee Gees are a pop group, and “Stayin’ Alive” is one of their best-known songs. Vito’s best friend said he had medical issues, though people around him did not know how serious they were; the account describes his death as peaceful.
The story has drawn wider attention after a video of the celebration and tribute was viewed millions of times on TikTok. It brings together a personal loss, a birthday shared with friends and a song whose title has taken on particular resonance.