Duff Goldman Remembers Anne Burrell After Her Sudden Passing
Celebrity chef Duff Goldman shared a heartfelt tribute reflecting on his “complex relationship” with Anne Burrell, who sadly passed away earlier this week.
In his Instagram post, he reminisced about their 20-year friendship, stating, “Anne and I were always cheerful and somewhat excited.” He reminisced about meeting Burrell around 2006, recalling how he made her a cake with the message, “Don’t win the asshole,” to support her during tough times.
“She never did,” he emphasized, hinting at the strength of her character.
At 50, Goldman mentioned that there had been a period when they had “drifted” apart, though he wasn’t quite sure why.
He expressed his desire for Burrell to find happiness wherever life led her. A few years back, unexpectedly running into her at a charity gala with his daughter brought back memories. “We hadn’t spoken in years, but I think the conversation lifted my heart and filled it with light,” he shared.
Goldman described Burrell as “as tough as they came,” but noted that beneath her exterior was a profound depth of compassion and kindness. “My heart sings when I think of the love and tranquility she seems to have found recently,” he added, reflecting on how her warm smile moments made the tragedy of her loss a bit more bearable.
Burrell, 55, died Tuesday morning at her home in Brooklyn. Reports indicate that her husband, Stuart Claxton, found her unconscious on the bathroom floor alongside several pills. Details about the circumstances surrounding her death are still being investigated, including the potential role those pills may have played.
A spokesperson from the New York City Fire Department noted that the 911 caller reported a “cardiac arrest,” with officers declaring her dead at the scene.
Others in the culinary world, including chefs Bobby Flay and Rachael Ray, expressed their shock at Burrell’s untimely death. Her family released a statement, remembering her as “a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend.”
