Helen Mirren says it’s ‘so sad’ that Kurt Cobain died in 1994 ‘because he never saw GPS’

Kurt Cobain died in 1994 by suicide

Helen Mirren has admitted it’s ‘so sad’ Kurt Cobain never got the chance to see technological advancements like GPS before his death in 1994.

The Nirvana frontman was only 27 years old when he died, with a coroner ruling his death as suicide.

Cobain’s tragic passing made him part on the notorious ’27 Club’, with fellow music stars like Amy Winehouse, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Jim Morrison all having died at the same age.

30 years on, Cobain is still very much remembered in the industry, with actor Helen Mirren recently speaking about the late star.

Speaking on the Evening Standard’s Brave New World podcast, Mirren admitted she felt lucky to have witnessed the huge advances in technology we’ve seen in recent years.

Helen Mirren has been speaking about Kurt Cobain (Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty Images)

But while talking about that, the actor spoke about her sadness Cobain that never got to see it.

She said: “I always say it’s so sad that Kurt Cobain died when he did. Because he never saw GPS, as it’s the most wonderful thing to watch my little blue spot walking down the street. I just find it completely magical and unbelievable.”

It’s actually not the first time Mirren has spoken about Cobain with the rise of technology, telling the Cosmopolitan in 2015: “I was thinking about Kurt Cobain the other day and he died without knowing the internet, and I’m totally blown away by that.”

A year prior, the topic came up once more during a discussion with Oprah Winfrey.

Mirren told the US talk show host: “Look at Kurt Cobain – he hardly even saw a computer! The digital stuff that’s going on is so exciting. I’m just so curious about what happens next.”

Earlier this year, Cobain’s only child, Frances Bean Cobain, became a mom for the first time.

Frances is married to Riley Hawk, the eldest of former professional skater Tony Hawk’s kids.

Prior to the baby’s arrival, Frances did not publicly share the news of her pregnancy.

But she took to Instagram in September to post a series of pictures of the baby and Riley with their son.

“Welcome to the world most beautiful son. We love you more than anything,” Frances captioned the post.

Frances revealed the baby’s full name as Ronin Walker Cobain Hawk.

According to People, Frances and Riley married on October 7, 2023, as per the marriage certificate obtained by the outlet.

R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe, Frances’ godfather, reportedly officiated the ceremony.