Celebrity chef and TV host Anthony Bourdain died in a French hotel room yesterday in what is being treated as a suicide.
The 61-year-old was in France working on an upcoming episode of his award-winning American travel and food show, Parts Unknown.
Bourdain’s close friend, French chef Eric Ripert, who appeared on a number of Bourdain’s shows, found him unresponsive on Friday morning. Bourdain was staying at Le Chambard, in the village of Kaysersberg.
“Anthony was a dear friend,” Mr. Ripert said in a statement. “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.”
Bourdain’s girlfriend, actress Asia Argento released a statement on Twitter and Instagram yesterday, writing: “Anthony gave all of himself in everything that he did. His brilliant, fearless spirit touched and inspired so many, and his generosity knew no bounds”.
“He was my love, my rock, my protector. I am beyond devastated,” she continued.
“I’d love to have her a continuing director. I just don’t think we can afford her. But, my god, I’d love nothing more than to repeat the experience. She made it incredible.”
Argento was also one of the dozens of women to accuse Harvey Weinstein of sexual assault and harassment.
The couple first met shortly after Argento accused Harvey Weinstein of forcibly performing oral sex on her during the late 90s in a story for the New Yorker.
Over the course of the #MeToo movement, Bourdain demonstrated unwavering support for both his girlfriend and her fellow accusers. He was one of the most vocal male allies of the #MeToo movement.
“I am proud and honored to know you,” Bourdain tweeted after Argento revealed her story. “You just did the hardest thing in the world.”
“From the second I saw my daughter’s head corkscrewing out of the womb, I began making some major changes in my life. I was no longer the star of my own movie – or any movie. From that point on, it was all about the girl,” Bourdain wrote in his book Appetites: A Cookbook.
“Fatherhood has been an enormous relief, as I am now genetically, instinctually compelled to care more about someone other than myself. I like being a father. No, I love being a father. Everything about it.”
Bourdain’s career began in the New York restaurant scene, where he spent two decades washing dishes and cooking in professional kitchens.
He rose to celebrity chef status after submitting an article to the New Yorker about the dark side of the restaurant world. The article was later developed into the infamous 2000 book, Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly.
Through his book, Bourdain exposed the dark side of hospitality, opening up about drugs, drinking and the relentless hours of the job. He was open about his past drug addictions to heroin and cocaine.
He went on to host food and travel tv programs, including No Reservations and Parts Unknown.
On social media, celebrities and friends of Bourdain expressed their grief.
Bourdain’s death comes just days after beloved American designer Kate Spade died of suicide.
Top Comments
There must have been more to this story for a man to have died with the love of his life.
He just had too much of life...like food..too much of it and you feel sick.