Anthony Bourdain's Legacy Lives On Through His Daughter Ariane
It's hard to put into words how the world felt when we lost Anthony Bourdain so suddenly. The renowned chef, television personality, and storyteller passed away at the age of 61, leaving behind a legacy that will never be forgotten. Among those most deeply affected by his passing is his 11-year-old daughter, Ariane Bourdain, who he adored with all his heart. Fans around the globe have been left wondering how this young girl is managing to process the loss of her beloved father.
On Sunday, June 10, Anthony's second wife, Ottavia Busia, gave us a glimpse of how Ariane is coping. She shared a touching Instagram post featuring the first photo of Ariane since Anthony's passing. The photo captures Ariane on stage at DROM, a music venue in New York City, where she performed with incredible strength and grace. Ottavia's caption reads, "Our little girl had her concert today. She was amazing. So strong and brave. She wore the boots you bought her. I hope you are having a good trip, wherever you are." This heartfelt message offers a moment of solace to those who loved Anthony and his family.
View this post on InstagramOur little girl had her concert today. She was amazing. So strong and brave. She wore the boots you bought her. I hope you are having a good trip, wherever you are.
Read also:Meghan Marklersquos Navy Blue Obsession Why She Chose This Color For Her Royal Tour
Anthony Bourdain's Journey into Fatherhood
Anthony Bourdain and Ottavia Busia welcomed their daughter Ariane in 2007, marking a significant chapter in both of their lives. Despite their divorce in 2016 after nine years of marriage, Anthony remained deeply involved in Ariane's life. Prior to meeting Ottavia, Anthony was married to Nancy Putkoski from 1985 to 2005, but the couple did not have any children together. Anthony's journey into fatherhood came later in life, and it was a role he embraced with love and dedication.
A source once told People magazine that fatherhood brought a profound sense of joy and purpose to Anthony's life. "It was quite evident that Tony was a 'lighter' human being around his daughter," the source shared. "When he spoke about her, his eyes danced. He talked about her constantly." This love and admiration for Ariane were evident in every conversation Anthony had about his daughter.
Becoming a father at the age of 50 was a decision Anthony made thoughtfully and deliberately. In a candid interview with The Takeout, he revealed what led him to this choice. "I guess my whole life, as much as I might have wanted a child for the reason that everybody wants one, I always recognized that at no point until I was 50 was I old enough or up to the job," he explained in 2016. "I thought, you know what, I not only really want a child, but at this point, finally in my life, I think I’m up to the job and I’m the type of person who could do the job well and I’m financially prepared to look after a child."
Read also:John Goodmans Heartfelt Performance On The Conners
Ariane Bourdain: A Tough Critic in the Kitchen
Despite his culinary expertise, Anthony admitted that his daughter Ariane was not easily impressed when it came to his cooking. "She’s a very harsh critic," he confessed. "You know, I put a tiny tiny little bit of nutmeg in my macaroni and cheese and she did not enjoy that. She called me on it right away." This playful dynamic between father and daughter showed just how much Anthony valued honesty and feedback from Ariane.
View this post on InstagramThe Girl takes a last photo . Back to school!
Anthony often spoke about how having a child changed his perspective on life and work. "My daughter, her best friend Jacques, and assorted others who are coming in and out of the house… look, when you have a child you’re no longer the star of the movie," he said. "I cook for my daughter when I’m home. I stick with family classics, the stuff I liked as a kid that I’m reasonably sure she’s going to like or proven favorites and then also for her school lunches we do a challenge." This approach to cooking for his daughter reflected Anthony's commitment to being a present and engaged father.
Interestingly, Anthony joked that Ariane wasn't a huge fan of his television show. "She loves cooking shows—unfortunately not mine so much," he admitted. "She loves Alton Brown and Andrew Zimmern. They’re gods to her. She wants to be on, you know, Chopped Junior. I would try to send her to school with something interesting that those other kids definitely don’t have, so I’m sure she’s the first kid to show up in class with sushi or spam musubi. She takes pride in showing up with stuff that other kids envy or are freaked out by, so I send her to school with grilled octopus."
Anthony Bourdain's passing was confirmed by CNN on June 8, 2018. In a statement, they said, "His love of great adventure, new friends, fine food, and drink and the remarkable stories of the world made him a unique storyteller. His talents never ceased to amaze us and we will miss him very much." Our thoughts and prayers are with his daughter Ariane and the entire Bourdain family during this incredibly difficult time.
If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
