‘We are devastated’: How did Dave Hollis die? Former Disney distribution chief and author Rachel Hollis' ex-husband dies at 47
AUSTIN, TEXAS: The ex-husband of the author and influencer Rachel Hollis and Disney's former president of worldwide distribution, Dave Hollis, passed away on Saturday, February 11 at the age of 47 in his Austin, Texas, home. Although his exact cause of death was not revealed, Dave had previously been hospitalized for heart problems.
On Tuesday, February 14, Dave’s former wife, Rachel Hollis stated, "We are devastated. I have no words and my heart is too broken to find them. Please wrap the kids up in prayers as we try and navigate through the unthinkable," in an Instagram post.
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About Dave Hollis
From 2011 to 2018, Hollis served as the head of Disney's global theatrical distribution department, according to Variety. After leaving Disney, he co-founded Hollis Co, also known as HoCo, with his then-wife, Rachel Hollis. In 2020, the couple announced their divorce, as Dave wrote in his now-deleted post, "Our marriage has been a triumph in so many ways... and it has run its course,” according to Today. “Despite still loving and deeply respecting each other as friends, co-parents, and business partners, Rae and I decided that the best way to allow each of those to thrive in the future is to end our marriage while the option for a beautiful, unconventional new family, friendship and partnership still exists as a real and hope-filled option,” the post added.
Rachel has also taken to Instagram to announce that the pair have decided to end their marriage, writing, “Guys, I have some hard news to share, and the honest truth is, I have no idea how someone announces something like this, so I’m just going to say it. Dave and I have made the incredibly difficult decision to end our marriage.”
“We started out as best friends 18 years ago and the truth is, that core friendship and the parts of us that work so well, have become a band-aid for the parts of us that don’t. We have worked endlessly over the last three years to make this work and have come to the conclusion that it is healthier and more respectful for us to choose this as the end of our journey as a married couple. We remain dear friends as we raise our family as co-parents and run our company as partners. We are choosing joy—even though, I’ll be honest, the last month has been one of the most awful of our lives. I want to be strong and bold and optimistic for you now, but every ounce of my energy is reserved for being those things for my children,” she added.
'Heartbroken about the news'
After Dave’s news of passing came out, several of his followers came out and paid their condolences. One person wrote on Dave’s Instagram post, “I am heartbroken about the news! I loved Dave so much!! He was such a good man. Ugh! I just can’t believe it. Prayers for his family and anyone who knew him and what a beautiful soul he was. May you rest in the arms of angels, Dave! Praying for your kids especially because you were such a good father.” “I can't believe it. Rest In Peace friend,” another added. “Rest easy brother, you will be missed greatly here,” another user remarked. Hollis is survived by the four children he shares with his ex-wife Rachel Hollis; Jackson, Sawyer, Ford, and Noah.