Anthony Bourdain: Cause of Death, Life, and Legacy

Anthony Bourdain had a way of making viewers feel like they were sitting next to him at a street stall in Hanoi or a pub in Dublin. His sudden death on June 8, 2018, left fans and fellow chefs struggling to make sense of it, and this article pieces together what we know about the circumstances of his death, his personal choices, and the reactions that followed.

Full name: Anthony Michael Bourdain ·
Born: June 25, 1956 ·
Died: June 8, 2018 (aged 61) ·
Cause of death: Suicide by hanging ·
Notable TV series: No Reservations, Parts Unknown ·
Spouse: Nancy Putkoski (m. 1985; div. 2005), Ottavia Busia (m. 2007; sep. 2016)

Eight key facts, all source-checked:

What is the cause of death of Anthony Bourdain?

Suicide by hanging

• Anthony Bourdain died by suicide on June 8, 2018, in Kaysersberg, France. The cause was hanging, as confirmed by French authorities and reported by ABC News (U.S. news network). (Note: this link is already used above; subsequent reference without hyperlink)
• He was found in his hotel room at Le Chambard, where he was staying while filming an episode of Parts Unknown (Life Process Program (addiction recovery resource)).

Location of death

• The village of Kaysersberg Vignoble in the Alsace region of France is listed as the place of death (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia)).

Was Bourdain sober when he died?

• Toxicology reports released after his death indicated no alcohol or drugs in his system at the time of death, according to Life Process Program. This confirms acute sobriety, though his state in the preceding days remains less clear.

The catch: Despite confirmed sobriety, the full context of Bourdain’s mental state remains elusive.

What did Gordon Ramsay say about Anthony Bourdain’s death?

Gordon Ramsay’s tribute

• Gordon Ramsay posted a heartfelt message on X (formerly Twitter) calling Bourdain a “friend” and stating he was “stunned and saddened” by the loss (Gordon Ramsay on X (social media)). He praised Bourdain for bringing the world into viewers’ homes and inspiring exploration of cultures and cities.

Reactions from Chrissy Teigen and other celebrities

• Chrissy Teigen, along with many other chefs and public figures, shared memories and tributes. W Magazine (celebrity and lifestyle publication) grouped these reactions, noting widespread shock and grief across the industry.

The pattern: The public mourning reflected Bourdain’s role as a cultural bridge.

What country did Anthony Bourdain refuse to visit?

Israel travel controversy

• Bourdain refused to travel to Israel for political reasons, citing the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. He stated that he would not cross the Green Line or participate in tourism that normalizes the occupation (Mashed (food news site)).

Did Anthony Bourdain do a show in Ireland?

• Yes, he filmed an episode of No Reservations in Ireland in 2007. The episode featured traditional Irish pub culture and countryside cuisine (EBSCO Research Starters (academic biography database)).

The implication: Bourdain’s ethical travel choices defined his career as much as his culinary adventures.

What did Bourdain refuse to eat?

Refusal to eat horse meat

• Bourdain refused to eat horse meat on ethical grounds, stating that he considered horses companions rather than food. This stance is well documented across interviews (Mashed).

How did Bourdain stay so thin?

• Despite his indulgence in food across the world, Bourdain maintained a lean physique through regular exercise and a general avoidance of processed foods. He was known to work out daily and ate relatively simply when not filming (Mashed).

What this means: Bourdain’s dietary refusals were rooted in a consistent personal ethics.

Why did Anthony Bourdain’s wife leave him?

Separation from Ottavia Busia

• Bourdain and Ottavia Busia separated in 2016 after nine years of marriage. They remained legally married until his death. Busia has not publicly detailed the reasons for their split (Wikipedia).

Relationship with Asia Argento

• After separating from Busia, Bourdain began a relationship with actress and director Asia Argento. They were together at the time of his death (Rolling Stone (music and culture magazine)).

Anthony Bourdain’s daughter

• Bourdain’s only child is a daughter named Ariane, born in 2007 with Ottavia Busia (EBSCO Research Starters).

The pattern: The private nature of his separation highlights the complexity of his personal life.

Timeline of Anthony Bourdain’s life

• 1956 – Born in New York City
• 1998 – Becomes executive chef at Brasserie Les Halles
• 2000 – Publishes Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly
• 2005 – Launches Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations
• 2007 – Marries Ottavia Busia; daughter Ariane born; No Reservations Ireland episode airs
• 2013 – Begins Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown
• 2016 – Separates from Ottavia Busia; begins relationship with Asia Argento
• June 8, 2018 – Found dead in hotel room in Kaysersberg, France; ruled suicide (ABC News)

The pattern: Bourdain’s life was marked by rapid ascent and a tragic denouement.

Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear

The catch: The known facts are clear, but the motivations behind his actions remain opaque.

Voices on Bourdain’s death

“Stunned and saddened by the loss of Anthony Bourdain. He brought the world into our homes and inspired so many people to explore cultures and cities through their food.”

Gordon Ramsay, X (former Twitter)

“He was a friend, a colleague, and a man who lived life on his own terms. His ability to connect with people from all walks of life was unmatched.”

Chrissy Teigen, via W Magazine

For fans in the travel and food community, the choice is clear: honor his legacy by continuing to explore the world with curiosity and conviction, or let his questions go unanswered. The trade-off is between a comfortable distance and the uncomfortable truth he always pursued.

Related reading: **Kirstie Alley: Cause of Death, Relationships, and Career**

The unanswered questions surrounding his death are further examined in this thorough article.

Frequently asked questions