A friend of TV chef Anne Burrell has opened up about her health before she died, saying she was hiding her pain.
Anne was discovered unresponsive on her bathroom floor at around 7:50 AM on June 17.
First responders reportedly received a 911 call indicating “cardiac arrest.”
Although the official cause of death is unconfirmed pending autopsy, law enforcement sources told TMZ that a large quantity of “unknown pills” was found near the scene, and authorities are investigating what role, if any, they may have played.
Duff Goldman, famed for Charm City Cakes and a long-time friend of Anne’s, shared an emotional Instagram tribute describing the chef’s earlier battles.
“I’ve written and re-written this post so many times in the past 24 hours and I just don’t know what to say,” he confessed.
Goldman recalled how in 2006, “she was going through some stuff and… I made her a cake that said ‘Don’t let the b******s win.’ She never did.”
Goldman remembers their last heartfelt reconnection at a New York City gala. He and his daughter were warming up in the lobby when they unexpectedly ran into Anne.
“That conversation left my heart lifted and full of light,” he said, noting Anne seemed to have “found a measure of happiness and love.”
He described her as “tough as they come,” but beneath the armor lay “a depth of compassion and kindness that was absolutely beautiful.”
Reflecting on their bond, Goldman shared a touching wish: “Anne, wherever you are I hope they have slow moving rivers… I’ll teach you how to catch and cook the best catfish you ever had. Rest up, chef.”
Fellow chef Elizabeth Falkner, who reconnected with Anne at a dinner at Soho House on June 9, echoed Duff’s shock.
“I think Anne looks like she’s in pretty decent shape these days, so it’s kind of surprising to me,” she remarked.
After that dinner, Anne texted the next day: “Thanks so much for inviting us. It was a truly lovely time and very delicious. Please send me some pics so I can post.”
Elizabeth added: “We were like: ‘Let’s just make a point of talking and texting more often.’… I feel like [our friendship] just got cut really short fast.”
Born in Cazenovia, NY, in 1969, Anne earned her Culinary Institute of America diploma in 1996 before training in Italy and under Lidia Bastianich at Felidia.
Her rise included Iron Chef America, Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, and long-running roles on Chopped, Chef Wanted, and Worst Cooks in America.
She authored two cookbooks and most recently appeared on House of Knives in March 2025.
Her blend of toughness and warmth earned her admiration: “She wasn’t only a TV chef, she was a really good, really good cook,” Falkner said. “She educated a lot of people… She had mad skills.”
Anne is survived by her husband Stuart, stepson Javier, mother Marlene, sister Jane, brother Ben, and nieces and nephews Isabella, Amelia, and Nicolas.