Anthony Bourdain, Chef and TV Host, Dies of Suicide at 61

Anthony Bourdain, the chef turned Emmy-winning TV foodie, has died at age 61 as a result of suicide, CNN reported Friday.

According to the BBC, his body was found in a hotel room in a Strasbourg, France, where he was shooting an episode for CNN’s “Parts Unknown,” now in its 11th season.

The network released a statement Friday confirming his death and mourning the loss.

“It is with extraordinary sadness we can confirm the death of our friend and colleague, Anthony Bourdain,” the network 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 and family at this incredibly difficult time.”

Also Read: Kate Spade, Fashion Designer, Dies at 55 in Apparent Suicide

Bourdain had an 11-year-old daughter, Ariane, with his second wife, Ottavia Busia, whom he married in 2007. His previous marriage, to high school sweetheart Nancy Putkoski, ended in divorce after two decades.

For the last year, Bourdain had been dating actress, director and activist Asia Argento — and strongly supported her last fall as she publicly accused Harvey Weinstein of sexual misconduct. He also became an outspoken advocate for other accusers in the burgeoning #MeToo movement.

Last week, Argento posted a photo of Bourdain aboard a ferry outside Hong Kong after directing an episode of his CNN series “Parts Unknown.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BjZznGBnDvo/?hl=en&taken-by=asiaargento

Also Read: Anthony Bourdain Mourned by Celebrity Chefs, Other Stars: 'Heartbroken'

Bourdain was working as executive chef of the New York city restaurant Brasserie Les Halles when he shot to fame with his 2000 tell-all best-seller “Kitchen Confidential.”

Two years later, he launched his first TV show, “A Cook’s Tour,” on the Food Network. Three years later, he joined the Travel Channel with “Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations,” picking up two Emmy Awards.

In a 2013, The Peabody Awards honored Bourdain for his work, crediting his program “Parts Unknown” for expanding  the collective American palate.

Also Read: Anthony Bourdain Defends #MeToo Accusers From Doubters: 'They Have Nothing to Gain'

“He’s irreverent, honest, curious, never condescending, never obsequious,” said the judges. “People open up to him and, in doing so, often reveal more about their hometowns or homelands than a traditional reporter could hope to document.”

Bourdain’s death comes just days after path-breaking fashion designer Kate Spade also died by suicide after a battle with depression.