Eleanor Coppola, the documentary filmmaker who chronicled the making of her husband Francis Ford Coppola's iconic films and raised a family of filmmakers, has passed away at the age of 87. She died surrounded by family at her home in Rutherford, California, though no cause of death was given. Eleanor, who met Francis while working on his directorial debut "Dementia 13," quickly became a central figure in his life and the lives of their children, Gian-Carlo, Roman, and Sofia, all of whom would go on to work in the film industry.

Eleanor's most famous work as a documentarian was her coverage of the notoriously troubled production of "Apocalypse Now." The film, set in the Philippines and based on Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness," faced numerous challenges including a typhoon that destroyed sets, Martin Sheen's heart attack, and Marlon Brando's unpreparedness. Eleanor's behind-the-scenes footage would later be turned into the documentary "Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse," providing a glimpse into the chaos of the production.

In addition to her work documenting her husband's films, Eleanor also published a memoir in 1979, "Notes on the Making of Apocalypse Now," which delved into her own struggles during that period, including the challenges of being married to a larger-than-life figure like Francis. Despite their marital difficulties, the couple remained together throughout Eleanor's life, and she continued to pursue creative endeavors of her own, including directing the films "Paris Can Wait" and "Love Is Love Is Love."

Eleanor's impact on the film industry extended beyond her work with Francis, as her daughter Sofia became one of the most acclaimed filmmakers of her generation. Eleanor's unexpected life, as she described it, took her in many extraordinary directions, and her legacy lives on through her family and her contributions to the world of cinema.