"He was who he was, and it was out there for everyone to see": Anthony Bourdain's mother opens up about her son's death
On June 8 Anthony Bourdain was found dead by the French chef and Bourdain’s close friend Eric Ripert in his hotel room, according to CNN. It was reported that the renowned chef had committed suicide. In an interview with Today, Anthony's mother, Gladys Bourdain recalls that she last spoke to her son during Mother's day through an email. She recalled him as being “feisty and very talented.”
She added that she got to hear the news about his death through her younger son, Christopher. Gladys hoped that people remembered her son as “a lover of people of all kinds” who never tried to hide who he really was. “He didn’t disguise anything,” she said. “He was who he was, and it was out there for everyone to see.” Meanwhile, speaking to the New York Times, she further opened up about Anthony showing no indication of suicide on his mind.
“He is absolutely the last person in the world I would have ever dreamed would do something like this,” she told the paper. Gladys also spoke to Eric about her son's death and he to told her, "Tony had been in a dark mood these past couple of days.” She also added that she had "no idea why" Anthony would have made the decision of committing suicide. “He had everything. Success beyond his wildest dreams. Money beyond his wildest dreams,” she added.
Talking to Today, she recalled his childhood. She described him as a precocious child who had a love of reading from a young age. He always had talent, and he always had an incredible vocabulary,'' she said.
Gladys also shared that she may have had something to do with setting her son on the course of life he had chosen."The thing is he came back from his first summer in Provincetown as a dishwasher, and then one of the cooks burned himself or cut himself so badly he had to stop work and Tony, who had been just observing, filled in,'' she said.
"And when he came back at the end of that summer, we talked about it and since he had so little interest in his college career. I suggested the Culinary Institute and that’s how it all started."
At the same time, Eric, who had been shooting with Anthony for an upcoming episode of the CNN show opened up to People about the death of his dear friend. “Anthony was a dear friend,” he said. “He was an exceptional human being, so inspiring and generous. One of the great storytellers of our time who connected with so many. I wish him peace. My love and prayers are with his family, friends and loved ones.”
After the death of the great chef, his ex-wife Ottavia Busia-Bourdain shared a picture of their daughter and called her “so strong and brave.” Ariane is Bourdain’s only child and in the picture, she was seen clutching closely a microphone at DROM music venue in Alphabet City while being dressed in all back and pairing her attire with black and tall studded boots.
“Our little girl had her concert today. She was amazing. So strong and brave,” the proud mom captioned the photo. “She wore the boots you bought her. I hope you are having a good trip, wherever you are.” At the same time, Anthony's ex-girlfriend, Paula Froelich also took to Instagram to express her loss after she heard the news about his death. “To a good man, a great friend, a loyal love. That’s all I’m going to say," she wrote.