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Sara Hopper, portrayed by Elle Graham, was a minor character in Stranger Things. She was the only daughter of Jim and Diane Hopper. She was born in Hawkins and raised in New York until she was diagnosed with cancer and passed away.

Quick Answers

What was the cause of Sara Hopper's death? toggle section
Sara Hopper, the daughter of Jim Hopper in Stranger Things, tragically passed away due to cancer. It's suggested that her father's exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War might have been the cause of her illness.
Provided by: Community
How did Jim Hopper's military service potentially impact his family? toggle section
Jim Hopper's military service had a profound impact on his family, particularly his daughter, Sara Hopper. During his time in the Vietnam War, Hopper was exposed to a toxic gas known as Agent Orange. Unfortunately, this exposure likely led to Sara developing cancer later in life, despite being born perfectly healthy. This tragic turn of events deeply affected Hopper and his family, leading to a great deal of sorrow and guilt on his part.
Provided by: Fandom
What happened to Jim Hopper's wife, Diane? toggle section
Diane, portrayed by Jerri Tubbs, is the ex-wife of Jim Hopper and the mother of their late daughter, Sara Hopper. Diane and Jim were together for seven years, but they divorced after the tragic death of their daughter. Following their divorce, Diane moved on and remarried, having another child. Despite the end of their marriage, it's hinted that Hopper has reached out to her in hopes of rekindling their relationship, but Diane has moved on.
Provided by: Fandom
Does Jim Hopper return in season 4 of Stranger Things? toggle section
Yes, Jim Hopper does return in season 4 of Stranger Things. Despite being trapped in Russia when the season begins, he is revealed to be alive and part of the storyline.
Provided by: Fandom

History[]

At the age of 18, Jim Hopper joined the U.S. Army and came in contact with Agent Orange during the Vietnam War, though he was told that the mix was a harmless herbicide to kill plants. After a period of time, Hopper and his co-workers tried to return to their normal lives and set up families, only for their children to be born with deformities.

In April of 1971, Sara was born to Jim and Diane. Sara was extremely gifted. She loved reading, science, and galaxies. She was extremely close to her parents, especially her father, who would play with her and read to her often. One day while playing, however, Sara began to hyperventilate and Hopper attempted to help her calm down by slowly breathing with her. Soon she was diagnosed with cancer. As time wore on, Sara's hair began to fall out and began to permanently stay at the hospital, with her parents close by her side.

Though Jim tried to keep a brave face for his daughter by reading to her, the book Anne of Green Gables, he would sob in the stairwell knowing what would happen to her. By 1978, the cancer consumed Sara and caused her heart to stop. As doctors gathered around her and attempt to perform CPR, Diane and Jim were only left to watch in horror as Sara's heart monitor falls flat. Jim was left to comfort his sobbing wife as Sara passes away.

After Sara's death, Diane and Jim divorced, with Jim moving back to his hometown in Hawkins, Indiana, and became the town sheriff while Diane remarried and had another child.

Appearances[]

Season One appearances
The Vanishing of Will Byers The Weirdo on Maple Street Holly, Jolly The Body
The Flea and the Acrobat The Monster The Bathtub The Upside Down*
Season Four appearances
The Hellfire Club Vecna's Curse The Monster and the Superhero
Dear Billy The Nina Project* The Dive
The Massacre at Hawkins Lab Papa The Piggyback

*Sara appears in flashback scenes in "The Upside Down" and "The Nina Project".

Family tree[]

note: family trees are only visible on desktop.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unseen and Unnamed Character Family Tree icon
James Hopper Sr
 
Unseen and Unnamed Character Family Tree icon
Unknown
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unseen and Unnamed Character Family Tree icon
Bill
 
Diane Family Tree icon 001
Diane
 
 
 
Jim Hopper Family Tree Icon 001
Jim Hopper
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unseen and Unnamed Character Family Tree icon
Diane's second
child

 
 
Sarah Hopper Family Tree icon 001

Sara Hopper
 
 
 
Eleven S4 port 01
Jane Hopper Jim's Adopted
Daughter

Gallery[]

Trivia[]

  • Sara had a stuffed tiger toy in her bed at the hospital. Eleven and Will were also shown with stuffed toys, though they had lions. They used their lions for comfort after facing and when hiding from the monster.
  • In Season 1, Hopper wears Sara's blue hair band on his wrist. By Season 2, Hopper has passed the hair band down to Eleven.
  • Actor David Harbour (Jim Hopper) stated that the cause of Sara's death is a secret that might be explored, suggesting that cancer is not the full story.[2]
    • In season 4 it was revealed that Jim believes the cancer was caused by his squadron mixing Agent Orange during the Vietnam War, a substance which caused some veterans' children to be born with birth defects.
  • In both the credits of "The Upside Down" and the final script for "The Vanishing of Will Byers" her name is spelled "Sara". During season two, at the cabin where Eleven stays, a box is revealed with Sara written on it. However, the episode captions read "Sarah", whilst the official soundtrack release also includes a song titled "After Sarah".
  • Sara originally died in a car accident, according to the Montauk script. She died at age 4 and her name wasn’t written in the script.
  • Sara shares similarities with members of the Party, as she was also born in 1971 (like all the members) and she had quite an interest in science and space.

References[]

  1. Basic math and attention to detail from information revealed in Stranger Things: Darkness on the Edge of Town yields her birth date. Sara Hopper was 14 months old in June 1972.
  2. "David Harbour AMA" Reddit. August 2, 2016.
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