Found dead in his Strasboug, France hotel room today of an apparent suicide, 61-year-old celebrity chef and bon vivant Anthony Bourdain followed 55-year-old New York socialite accessory designer Kate Spade by only three days. Still reeling over Spade’s June 5 death from self-strangulation, the media finds itself dumbfounded, unable to see the similarities between Spade and Bourdain. Bourdain who licked a heroin addiction to become America’s best known celebrity-chef-turned-foodie, whose travels and commentary were less about cooking than decadent adventures on his CNN show, “Anthony Bourdain, Parts Unknown.” Divorced from his wife Ottavia Busia, Bourdain leaves his 11-year-old daughter Ariane without a father. Spade, who left a suicide note in her Manhattan condo, left her 13-year-old daughter Beatrix without a mother.
When interviewed after her suicide, Kate’s older sister Rita Saffo said Kate suffered from mental illness for many years. Spade’s husband and business partner Andy, confirmed their separation, saying his wife was treated for depression, despite living two blocks from her apartment. New York City Police confirmed that Andy was his daughter when Kate committed suicide yet said he heard and saw nothing while his wife hung herself. “Kate suffered from anxiety and depression for many years,” said Andy, confirming she was taking medication under psychiatric care. While no one knows yet if Bourdain was under psychiatric care, it would surprise no one. ”It is with extraordinary sadness we can confirm the death of our friend and colleague, Anthony Bourdain,” said CNN. CNN’s upper management and producers knew Bourdain for years.
Andy admitted that Kate was dealing with depression and anxiety for many years. “She was actively seeking help and working closely with her doctors to treat her disease, one that takes far too many lives . . .” said David, denying that she seemed depressed, unhappy or about to do something crazy. “We were in touch with her the night before and she sounded happy,” said Andy, knowing that anyone afflicted from major depression or bipolar disorder can go off like a time bomb. “There was no indication, no warning that she would do this. It was a complete shock. And it clearly wasn’t her. There were personal demons she was battling,” said Andy, clearly, not admitting that there were plenty of signs, as there are with anyone treated for major depression or bipolar disorder. As her estranged spouse, Andy knew exactly what he was dealing with.
Working closely with Bourdain over the years, CNN’s executives and producers had to know that Anthony’s boundless energy and wanderlust were related to mania, like Spade, eventually, as David Spade put it, “takes far too many lives.” When Spade said no indication and no warning that she would do this,” he wasn’t telling the truth. He’s lived with her bipolar disorder for years, no doubt contributing to why they separated. It’s doubtful Andy hadn’t seen Kate’s past outbursts, threats of suicide or even past attempts. If Kate was really under psychiatric care, Andy knew the severity and risks to her condition. Saying there was “no indication” suggests he’s either in denial or not telling the truth about Kate’s eventual suicide. Whatever was known or unknown about Kate, as her sister said, she wasn’t surprised like her estranged husband Andy.
After meeting Busia in a cigar bar in 2007, Bourdain married within weeks, followed by an almost immediate pregnancy. Bourdain mused over his readiness to accept fatherhood. “I always recognized that at no point until I was 50 was I old enough or up for the job. I thought Bourdain showing the kind of impulsiveness that wound up taking his life. Having amassed a small fortune, Bourdain had everything going for him except the same mania that led to his heroin addiction and insatiable appetite for alcohol and thrill-seeking. While it all makes for great creativity and entertainment, Bourdain’s the latest casualty in a system that routinely chews-up-and-spits out otherwise normal people. His decision of off himself with a 11-year-old daughter shows his mania did him in.
Bourdain and Spade showed the envious celebrity world what happens when you exploit the boundless energy, creativity and work-alcoholism of bipolar disorders. Spade and Bourdain died not of heart attacks or strokes but of calculated attempts to end their lives. Saying he was “shocked” tells the whole story of Kate’s husband Andy, who lived with her for years before deciding to take a break. CNN’s executives, producers and Bourdain’s personal friends saw the handwriting on the walls before Anthony was found lifeless by his close friend chef Eric Ripert. If there’s any lesson for family, friends and employers of highly creative manic artists and performers like Spade and Bourdain, there’s always a risk that their bipolar disorders will get the best of them. Bourdain’s girlfriend Asia Argento shared her devastation, admitting that Anthony emptied himself out.
