Few internet celebrities have left a paw print as deep as Grumpy Cat. The feline with the perpetually sour expression turned a congenital condition into a global brand, but behind the memes was a real cat named Tardar Sauce with a story that’s as much about medical reality as media machinery.
Born: April 4, 2012 ·
Died: May 14, 2019 ·
Breed: Domestic shorthair (mixed) ·
Cause of death: Complications from urinary tract infection ·
Net worth at peak: $100 million ·
Owner: Tabatha Bundesen
Quick snapshot
- Real name: Tardar Sauce (BBC News)
- Born: April 4, 2012 (BBC News)
- Breed: Domestic shorthair (BBC News)
- Owner: Tabatha Bundesen (The Guardian)
- Exact annual licensing earnings not publicly audited (InsideHook)
- Burial location confirmed by owner but not publicly mapped (The Guardian)
- Peak net worth of $100 million disputed by some analysts (InsideHook)
- First memo post: September 25, 2012 (BBC News)
- Friskies spokescat deal: 2013 (Forbes)
- Movie debut: November 2014 (BBC News)
- Death: May 14, 2019 (The Guardian)
Ten facts about Grumpy Cat, one pattern: each detail underlines how a medical oddity became a commercial empire.
The table below distills the essential data points about Grumpy Cat’s life and death.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Tardar Sauce |
| Birth date | April 4, 2012 |
| Death date | May 14, 2019 |
| Breed | Domestic shorthair |
| Cause of death | Complications from a urinary tract infection |
| Peak net worth | $100 million |
| Movie debut | Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas Ever (2014) |
| Voice actor in movie | Aubrey Plaza |
| Burial location | Private family property, Morristown, Arizona |
| Owner | Tabatha Bundesen |
Why Did Grumpy Cat Pass Away?
Grumpy Cat died on May 14, 2019, at her home in Morristown, Arizona, at the age of 7. Her owner, Tabatha Bundesen, confirmed in a statement that the cause was complications from a urinary tract infection that “became too difficult for her to overcome,” as reported by The Guardian. The family described the decision to euthanize as a merciful end to prevent further suffering.
Grumpy Cat’s owner had to balance the public’s love for the meme with the animal’s medical reality. The infection that killed her was treatable in many cats, but her dwarfism and small size made recovery more difficult.
What type of cat was Grumpy Cat?
- Grumpy Cat (Tardar Sauce) was a domestic shorthair cat, as stated by BBC News.
- Her grumpy appearance was due to feline dwarfism and an underbite, according to Live Science.
- Feline dwarfism is a genetic mutation that leads to abnormal bone development and smaller body proportions, explained by IFLScience.
The implication: Grumpy Cat’s famous frown wasn’t an emotion—it was a structural feature of her skull. The underbite made her lower jaw protrude, giving her a permanent scowl that the internet turned into a universal expression of displeasure.
What Type of Cat Was Grumpy Cat?
Beyond the meme, Grumpy Cat was a mixed-breed domestic shorthair with a specific genetic condition. Her owner, Tabatha Bundesen, originally named her Tardar Sauce after a family member’s suggestion, as noted by Digital Trends. She weighed less than 5 pounds throughout her life, a characteristic of feline dwarfism, according to Grunge.
What breed is a grumpy orange cat?
While Grumpy Cat was not orange, the question often arises from the association with the “grumpy orange cat” stereotype. The most common orange cat breed is the domestic shorthair, identical to Grumpy Cat’s breed. The grumpy appearance in orange cats is usually just a facial expression, not a genetic condition. Grumpy Cat’s unique look was specifically caused by feline dwarfism and an underbite—a combination that is rare in any cat, regardless of coat color.
The pattern: People often conflate the meme with the cat. Grumpy Cat’s expression was a medical anomaly, not a personality trait.
How Much Was Grumpy Cat Worth?
Grumpy Cat’s peak net worth is estimated at $100 million, according to Forbes. However, InsideHook describes the $100 million figure as “debatable” and notes that the cat was worth at least $1 million, with a $700,000 copyright infringement lawsuit award adding to the earnings. The revenue came from licensing deals with Hot Topic, Gund, and Friskies, plus book deals and a Lifetime movie.
The $100 million figure is widely repeated but not independently audited. The real takeaway is that a single cat, with no active effort, generated a licensing empire that most human influencers would envy.
Where is Grumpy Cat buried?
Grumpy Cat is buried on private family property in Morristown, Arizona, as confirmed by owner Tabatha Bundesen in the death announcement. The exact location is not publicly mapped to respect the family’s privacy, per The Guardian.
The catch: Fans who want to pay respects must rely on the public memorials and digital tributes rather than a physical gravesite.
Is Aubrey Plaza the Voice of Grumpy Cat?
Yes, Aubrey Plaza voiced Grumpy Cat in the 2014 Lifetime movie “Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas Ever,” as reported by National Today. Plaza’s deadpan delivery was a natural fit for the perpetually annoyed feline. The movie aired on Lifetime and later became available on Disney+.
Does Aubrey Plaza have a disability?
There is no evidence that Aubrey Plaza has a diagnosed disability. This question stems from a misinterpretation of her deadpan humor and monotone speaking style, which she has described in interviews as a comedic choice. Plaza’s net worth is estimated at $6 million, according to National Today, but this figure is not independently verified.
The trade-off: Plaza’s association with Grumpy Cat boosted her profile among younger audiences, but also led to persistent myths about her health.
How Did Grumpy Cat Pass Away?
The veterinary diagnosis was a urinary tract infection that led to complications. Tabatha Bundesen made the decision to euthanize to prevent further suffering, as stated in the family’s announcement on BBC News. The infection was treatable in healthy cats, but Grumpy Cat’s dwarfism and small size made recovery challenging.
Where is Grumpy Cat buried?
As noted earlier, Grumpy Cat is buried on private family property in Morristown, Arizona. The family has not released exact coordinates, but the site is believed to be at the Bundesen home.
What this means: The decision to keep the burial private underscores the family’s desire to let Grumpy Cat rest without fanfare, despite her global fame.
Timeline: From Birth to Farewell
- April 4, 2012: Grumpy Cat (Tardar Sauce) born to Tabatha Bundesen’s cat in Morristown, Arizona.
- September 25, 2012: First image posted on Reddit; goes viral within hours. (BBC News)
- 2013: Signs with celebrity agent, launches merchandise line, becomes Friskies spokescat. (Forbes)
- November 2014: Lifetime premieres “Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas Ever” featuring Aubrey Plaza as voice. (BBC News)
- May 14, 2019: Grumpy Cat dies at home from complications of a urinary tract infection. (The Guardian)
Confirmed facts
- Grumpy Cat’s official cause of death was complications from a urinary tract infection. (BBC News)
- Her real name is Tardar Sauce. (BBC News)
- She was a domestic shorthair with feline dwarfism. (Live Science)
- Aubrey Plaza voiced the character in the 2014 Lifetime movie. (National Today)
What’s unclear
- Exact burial location is confirmed by owner statement but not publicly mapped. (The Guardian)
- The exact dollar amount of annual earnings from licensing is not publicly audited. (InsideHook)
- Peak net worth of $100 million is disputed by some analysts. (InsideHook)
Quotes
“Grumpy Cat brought joy to millions of people around the world.”
— Tabatha Bundesen, owner, via The Guardian
“I think Grumpy Cat is a kindred spirit for me. I love that she’s so grumpy and I’m so deadpan.”
— Aubrey Plaza, actress, via National Today
“Grumpy Cat’s expression was caused by a combination of an underbite and feline dwarfism.”
— Live Science, via Live Science
For anyone considering turning a pet into a brand, the lesson is clear: the line between celebration and exploitation is thin, and the animal’s welfare must come first. Grumpy Cat’s legacy will endure online, but the real story is about a cat who was loved by her family and became an accidental icon.
Frequently asked questions
How did Grumpy Cat get her grumpy face?
Her grumpy appearance was caused by feline dwarfism and an underbite, which gave her a permanent scowl.
What was Grumpy Cat’s real name?
Her real name was Tardar Sauce.
Did Grumpy Cat have a medical condition?
Yes, she had feline dwarfism, a genetic mutation that affects bone and cartilage development.
Who owned Grumpy Cat?
Tabatha Bundesen, a resident of Morristown, Arizona.
Was Grumpy Cat in any movies?
Yes, she starred in the Lifetime movie “Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas Ever” (2014), voiced by Aubrey Plaza.
How did Grumpy Cat become a meme?
Her photo was posted on Reddit on September 25, 2012, and went viral within hours.
What is Grumpy Cat’s net worth?
Estimated peak net worth of $100 million, though some sources dispute the figure.
Related reading
Catherine Roy is Editor-in-Chief at Oz Briefly, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.