Anthony Bourdain sent one final text message to his former assistant before his tragic death at the age of 61.
The celebrity chef died by suicide in June 2018 in a room at the Le Chambard hotel in Kaysersberg, France. He had been in France working on an episode of Parts Unknown with his friend Eric Ripert. Eric found Anthony’s body after becoming concerned when his friend had missed breakfast and dinner.
Now, Anthony’s former assistant Laurie Woolever has opened up about her relationship with him and revealed the final text he sent her. Writing in her new book Care and Feeding: A Memoir, Laurie revealed she last spoke with Anthony a day before he died.
“I hope you’re doing OK,” Laurie had texted her boss. Anthony texted her back, “I’ll live and we’ll survive.”
Laurie had believed the “we” the chef referred to was his partner Asia Argento. Just days earlier, she had been pictured kissing a French journalist.
In an extract from her memoir, which was obtained by People Magazine, Laurie recalled what happened after Anthony sent her that message. “At 4:25 the next morning, my phone vibrated on the windowsill next to my bed, waking me from a light sleep,” she wrote.
Laurie received a call from Anthony’s agent, Kim Witherspoon. She remembered, “When I answered the call, she said, Tony has taken his life. I thought, we can fix this. I’d spent the last nine years, and Kim much longer than that, helping Tony meet his obligations, get where he needed to be.”
After Anthony’s death, his partner Asia issued a statement. “Anthony gave all of himself in everything 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,” she said.
Asia continued, “I am beyond devastated. My thoughts are with his family. I would ask that you respect their privacy and mine.”
Other tributes came from former President Barack Obama, who posted on social media, “He taught us about food – but more importantly, about its ability to bring us together. To make us a little less afraid of the unknown. We’ll miss him.”
Jamie Oliver took to Instagram to say Anthony’s death had left “chefs and fans around the world with a massive foodie hole that simply can’t be replaced.” Actress Rose McGowan added, “Anthony I am so mad at you – you were so loved, the world is not better without you. I have a message for those considering suicide as a solution to a temporary problem. Please call a hotline.”
If in the United States, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or go to 988 Lifeline
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