Even a decade after her death, TV psychic Sylvia Browne continues to capture attention online—though not always for the reasons she might have hoped.
Clips of her TV appearances, once regarded as authoritative by her fans, have gone viral during the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting social media users to mock her for making predictions that many now see as wildly inaccurate.
Browne, who passed away in 2013 at age 77, rose to fame through frequent appearances on The Montel Williams Show and Larry King Live, cultivating a devoted following willing to pay hundreds of dollars for phone consultations or even a spot on one of her psychic cruises.
From Kansas City Childhood to Psychic Stardom
Born Sylvia Celeste Shoemaker in 1936 in Kansas City, she claimed to have visions from as early as age three, growing up during the hardships of the Great Depression.
She spent 18 years teaching at a Catholic school before embracing her calling as a professional psychic in 1973, after training as a trance medium on the side.
By the 1980s, Browne had become a charismatic media figure with her gravelly voice, blunt humor, and distinctive platinum hair.
Her unique persona helped her secure regular spots on talk shows, late-night radio, and eventually a sprawling business empire that included bestselling books, phone consultations, a gnostic church, cruise appearances, and even a controversial gold-mining venture that led to a securities fraud conviction in 1992.
Infamous Predictions and Public Criticism
Despite her popularity, Browne became notorious for her inaccurate predictions, particularly concerning missing children.
In one widely cited case, she told Louwanna Miller that her missing daughter Amanda Berry was dead—Berry would later be found alive years later after being held captive.
Similar missteps occurred with other cases, such as Holly Krewson, Shawn Hornbeck, and Opal Jo Jennings, where her guidance proved false or misleading.
Her misfires led to harsh criticism from ex-husbands, skeptics like James Randi, and online communities that highlighted the danger and audacity of her claims.
Browne even briefly accepted—but later declined—a challenge from Randi to prove her abilities under scientific conditions.
Social Media Reignites the Debate
During the pandemic, Browne’s profile surged online, partly due to a quote about a global pneumonia-like illness that some deemed prophetic.
However, most social media attention highlights her errors, often using clips to showcase her contradictory or absurd statements.
Users have pointed out instances where she confidently offered medical advice without information or gave cryptic explanations for tragic events that left families devastated.
One clip shows her telling a woman that her late nephew “couldn’t breathe” because “it was his time to go,” demonstrating the surreal logic of her televised predictions.
Other posts feature her suggesting a mystery illness could be lupus, or admitting she cannot read a woman’s mind when discussing a persistent childhood dream—remarks that now provoke a mix of disbelief and amusement online.
Legacy of Controversy
Sylvia Browne died of heart failure in San Jose, California, in 2013 at age 77, a decade shy of the age she once predicted she would reach on Larry King Live.
Her career remains a blend of fascination and controversy, leaving behind a complicated legacy as a media personality, bestselling author, and psychic who captivated millions while drawing relentless skepticism.
Even today, Browne sparks debate about the ethics of public psychic claims, the allure of fame, and the fine line between belief and exploitation in the world of media mysticism.
