On August 28, 2020, social media users casually scrolled through Instagram. A black and white image of Chadwick Boseman mega watt smile appeared in an Instagram feed. But reading the caption sent the world reeling.The Black Panther star had died at the age of 43 following a four-year battle with colon cancer.

The tragic news came as a complete surprise to Boseman's fans and co-stars - who didn't know he was sick. A skinny Boseman did raise eyebrows when he appeared in an Instagram Live. Ever the philanthropist, Boseman went live to support the Operation 42 donation project. The campaign was to raise money for hospitals serving African-American communities hit the hardest by the coronavirus pandemic.

In the end many concluded that he must be preparing for a new role. The dedicated actor battled through grueling chemotherapy to give us movies that will live on for the rest of time. But why did he choose to keep his diagnosis a secret from his adoring fans? These are the tragic details of Chadwick Boseman's fight with cancer.

Updated on December 29th, 2022 by Abigail Thomas: Chadwick Boseman was at the height of his acting career when he sadly passed from colon cancer at the young age of 43. He was a major part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Boseman played the Black Panther and not only starred in his own movie, but also participated in the Avenger group films. He was also nominated for an Oscar for his role in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. Throughout his great success, Boseman was privately battling cancer. Since his passing in 2020, his wife Taylor Simone Ledward has opened up about handling the grief of her husband's passing. The second film in the Black Panther franchise was also released this year, and the character mourned the loss of Boseman's Black Panther.

Chadwick Boseman Kept His Cancer Private

Boseman was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016, which eventually led to stage IV. The actor kept his circle small and only a few people knew of his health struggle. Black Panther director Ryan Coogler and Da 5 Bloods director Spike Lee were unaware of his diagnosis. Every day he would show up on set and gave his best performance. The only thing that may have given his condition away was his wife, Taylor Simone Ledward, was by his side throughout.

In a heartbreaking interview with Good Morning Britain, Clarke Peters, Boseman's Da 5 Bloods co-star admitted he judged Boseman for having an large entourage on set. "When I look back at that time I have to say with a little bit of regret that I probably wasn't the most altruistic in that environment, but hindsight teaches us a lot of things," Clarke said.

"What I am addressing is, my wife asked what Chadwick was like, and I was really excited to work with him," Peters explained. "And I said, 'He's a bit precious', because he's surrounded by people fawning over him. The Chinese practitioner who was massaging his back when he walks off set, he has a make up lady massaging his feet, his girlfriend is there holding his hand, I thought maybe the Black Panther thing went to his head. But now I regret having these thoughts, because they were really looking after him."

Boseman's longtime friend and agent, Michael Greene, told The Hollywood Reporter that Boseman kept his condition quiet because he "did not want to have people fuss over him. He was a very private person." Boseman's trainer, Addison Henderson, was also one of the few people who knew about his cancer diagnosis.

"He wasn't going to let this disease stop him from telling these amazing stories and showing his art in the prime of his life," Henderson said in an interview after Boseman's death.

Boseman's Heartbreaking Last Words To His Brother

Related: Here's How The Stars Of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Honored Chadwick Boseman

Chadwick Boseman was raised in Anderson, South Carolina, by parents Carolyn and Leroy Boseman. He had an older brother Derrick and a younger brother Kevin who is a dancer. Pastor Derrick Boseman was by his brother's side before he died. He described his superstar sibling as a man who was very religious. He revealed Boseman would say 'Hallelujah' while he battled his constant pain. "He never stopped saying it," the pastor told The New York Times.

Pastor Boseman also shared his brother's last words with him. He revealed Chadwick looked him square in the eye and said, "Man, I'm in the fourth quarter, and I need you to get me out of the game." Hearing his last words, Pastor Boseman says his prayer for his brother changed. Instead of praying: "God heal him, God save him," he began saying, "God, let your will be done." Chadwick Boseman died the following day.

For Four Years, Chadwick Boseman Fought Cancer

When Chadwick Boseman learned of his stage III colon cancer diagnosis, audiences around the world fell in love with him as T'Challa is the King of Wakanda. That movie awarded him many more opportunities making the last four years of his life the busiest of his career.

Boseman was determined to leave his mark on the world - despite his intensive cancer treatment. His work ethic and passion for his craft led him to film seven movies. He hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live and recorded voiceover work for Marvel's What If...?

The world lost a king, an icon, and a true trailblazer. There is no doubt his films will stand the test of time - but how he conducted himself through the best and worst time of his life is a true testament of his character.

Taylor Simone Ledward-Boseman Talks Grief As Widow

In the months leading up to his tragic death, Chadwick Boseman married Taylor Simone Ledward. She had stood by his side throughout his battle with cancer and respected his decision to keep the fight private. Now, two years after his death, Ledward has spoken out about how she is handling the grief of losing her husband.

"Some days, I'm doing worse than I'm really willing to acknowledge. Other days, I'm doing better than I feel comfortable admitting," Ledward shared with Whoopi Goldberg on Good Morning America. "I can't believe that I got to love this person, and I also got them to love me too."

Producer Kevin Feige confirmed that the role of the Black Panther would not be re-cast, and the sequel to the film was released earlier this year in memorium of Chadwick Boseman. The characters in the franchise mourned the loss of the Black Panther just as the world mourned the loss of Boseman.

Next: What Happened With Chadwick Boseman's Estate Since His Passing?