According to the book 'Down and Out in Paradise' written by Charles Leerhsen, the late chef wrote to his estranged wife, 'I hate my fans, too. I hate being famous. I hate my job,' before his death by suicide in 2018.
- Sep 29, 2022
AceShowbiz - Anthony Bourdain's closest ones do not find his unauthorized bio tasteful. Family and friends of the late famous chef have slammed "Down and Out in Paradise", written by Charles Leerhsen, which includes his final texts among other things.
The book has "already drawn fire from Mr. Bourdain’s family, former co-workers and closest friends," per The New York Times. Anthony's brother Christopher tells the outlet he refuted the allegations made in the book, but multiple emails sent to the publisher in hopes of rectifying errors have been ignored.
"Every single thing he writes about relationships and interactions within our family as kids and as adults he fabricated or got totally wrong," Christopher says. He also calls the bio "hurtful and defamatory fiction."
Publisher Simon & Schuster, however, stands firm in the narratives exposed by the book. They respond to the family's complaint, "With all due respect, we disagree that the material in the book contains defamatory information, and we stand by our forthcoming publication."
According to the book, Anthony, who regularly communicated with his estranged wife Ottavia Busia-Bourdain, had expressed discontent with his life. "I hate my fans, too. I hate being famous. I hate my job," Anthony allegedly wrote to Ottavia. "I am lonely and living in constant uncertainty."
The book also delves deep into Anthony's turbulent relationship with actress Asia Argento, who had been dating him for two years at the time of his death in 2018. "I find myself being hopelessly in love with this woman," Anthony confided to Ottavia, who controls his assets, including the messages, at one point. According to excerpts of the book, he spent "hundreds of thousands of dollars" on Asia and provided financial support to her children as well as some of her friends.
However, the pair also went through a lot of issues. The author claims Anthony described Asia as being "controlling" and "blowing up" whenever she saw him or his estranged wife posting pictures with family on social media.
"You didn't want me to put a pic that had you in it because Asia would freak out and I have the feeling that will not change anytime soon," Ottavia wrote in one text exchange ahead of a Father's Day weekend. "I'm tired of pretending I don't know you. Or that we are never in the same place."
Anthony allegedly responded, "I feel you. But I was being honest. The pap [arazzi] situation is horrendous. Since I left you guys, though, she's freaking out."
The book reveals they once had a fight over social media photos that depicted each with another partner. At the time, Anthony had been spending time with his estranged wife and daughter, and Asia was caught dancing with a French reporter in the lobby of Rome's Hotel de Russie.
"I am okay," Anthony allegedly texted Asia after seeing the photo. "I am not spiteful. I am not jealous that you have been with another man. I do not own you. You are free. As I said. As I promised. As I truly meant. But you were careless. You were reckless with my heart. My life."
The "Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly" author then wrote that he was hurt that "the tryst" took place in a hotel they had previously enjoyed together. Asia reportedly responded, "I can't take this," and said she could no longer stay in the relationship due to his possessiveness.
Anthony died on June 8, 2018, He was found hanging in his room at Le Chambard hotel in Kaysersberg near Colmar. He was in France to film an episode of "Parts Unknown" in Strasbourg, with his frequent collaborator and friend Eric Ripert.
