Anthony Bourdain’s mom Gladys, 85, dies just 19 months after globetrotting chef son’s tragic suicide – The Sun
January 20, 2022THE mother of Anthony Bourdain has passed away just more than a year-and-a-half after the famous chef tragically took his own life.
Gladys Bourdain died at 85 years-of-age on January 10 at a Hospice facility in the Bronx, New York – her youngest son Christopher confirmed to the New York Times.
The celebrity chef’s mother was in declining health for quite some time, her son said.
As a longtime copy editor for The Times, she was instrumental in Anthony’s success as a culinary storyteller and helped kickstart his entire career after she convinced him to publish an essay about his difficult experiences as a New York chef.
The popular article was the origin of his first published book – Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly – which became a #1 bestseller and turned the famous food expert into a globally recognized name.
Gladys started at the renowned newspaper in 1984 and continued to work there until her retirement in 2008.
Both of her sons have credited their mom for their introduction into foreign cuisines and cultures.
"We ate Danish in New York, we went to Chinatown regularly,” Christopher told NBC.
“When Indian showed up in the 1970s, we tried it. When sushi was a new thing in the '70s, we tried it.”
Her death comes only 19 months after her late son committed suicide in France while on location filming his show Parts Unknown.
In June 2018, the world was shocked when the television host was discovered unresponsive by close friend and fellow chef Eric Ripert.
Only 17 days shy of his 62nd birthday, Anthony ended his life by hanging himself in his French hotel room.
After the tragic news broke, Gladys told her former employer: "He is absolutely the last person in the world I would have ever dreamed would do something like this.”
She further paid tribute to her son days later: “He didn’t disguise anything or take on any act of persona,” she told NBC at the time.
“He was who he was, and it was out there for everyone to see.”
Shortly after his death, the grieving mother permanently memorialized her son and got his name tattooed on her wrist – her first and only ink.
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His hit show Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations aired for 9 seasons and scored the travel enthusiast multiple Emmy awards.
The Manhattan native married her son’s father Pierre Bourdain in 1954 but later separated in 1980.
Gladys is survived by Chris and her three grandchildren – including Anthony’s 12-year-old daughter, Ariane.
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