Anthony Bourdain's Ex-Wife Nancy Putkoski: A Look at Their Marriage and Why It Ended

Anthony Bourdain, the renowned American chef, travel documentarian, and author, left behind two ex-wives upon his passing in 2018. The first ex-wife was Nancy Putkoski, with whom he had been involved since their high school days. They were married for two decades before divorcing in 2005.

Despite Bourdain's rise to stardom, Nancy preferred to stay away from the public eye and shunned the limelight. After their divorce, she chose to disappear from public view entirely, leading to very limited information available about her current whereabouts or activities. As a result, Nancy Putkoski remains a private figure, keeping her life out of the public sphere.

Loving Journey in High School

Nancy Putkoski and Anthony Bourdain's love story began during their high school days at Dwight Englewood in northern New Jersey. In the 1970s, Bourdain found himself in a rough crowd but became infatuated with Putkoski, who was known as the "bad girl" of the group. 

Despite the age difference, they pursued a romance, and as Putkoski prepared to attend Vassar College, Bourdain chose to graduate early and join her at the prestigious institution. The details of their relationship remain mostly undocumented. 

But Bourdain's recollections suggest a deep connection during their time at Vassar, where he learned valuable lessons from the predominantly female college population. Nancy Putkoski remained a private figure even as her former partner gained fame as a chef and author.

Exchanged Wedding Vows in 1985

Nancy Putkoski and Anthony Bourdain's relationship began during their high school days in New Jersey. They attended Vassar College together, where Bourdain dropped out to pursue a culinary career. They got married in 1985 and lived together in Manhattan. 

While Bourdain achieved success with his travel show, Putkoski preferred to stay out of the spotlight and was rarely seen on camera. Bourdain openly discussed their co-dependent and adventurous relationship, often likening it to the couple in the film "Drugstore Cowboy." 

They enjoyed evenings together watching "The Simpsons" and sharing take-out meals. Their travels were limited to occasional Caribbean vacations. Despite their close bond, their marriage eventually ended, and Putkoski has maintained a private life since then.

Divorce in 2005

Anthony Bourdain's marriage to Nancy Putkoski faced challenges as his career took off with the success of his memoir "Kitchen Confidential." While he thrived as a TV host on "A Cook's Tour," Putkoski was uncomfortable with the spotlight. 

Bourdain's ambitious nature clashed with her desire for a more private life. He yearned to explore the world, while she seemed content with him. The strain led to their divorce in 2005. 

Bourdain later admitted he struggled to maintain friendships due to his demanding career. Ultimately, their different aspirations and the pressures of fame contributed to the breakdown of their marriage.

Did Nancy Putkoski Remarry? Where is Nancy Now?

Indeed, Nancy Putkoski's decision to lead a private life away from the public eye played a significant role in the end of her marriage to Anthony Bourdain. She did not pursue a career or involve herself in any business ventures, and her fame was solely tied to her relationship with the celebrity chef. 

After their divorce, she chose to completely disappear from the public sphere, allowing her to maintain the privacy she desired. As a result, little is known about her life after the separation, including any subsequent relationships or whether she remarried. Nancy Putkoski remains a mysterious figure, living her life away from the spotlight she once briefly inhabited.

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Anthony Bourdain Remarried Second Wife, Otttavia Busia

After his divorce from Nancy Putkoski, Anthony Bourdain found love again with Ottavia Busia, a mixed martial artist. They tied the knot on April 20, 2007, and welcomed a daughter named Ariane the same year. 

However, their marriage faced challenges as Bourdain's busy cooking career kept him away from home, similar to his previous marriage. This led to Ottavia filing for divorce, and after nine years of marriage, they officially ended their relationship in 2016. 

Despite their separation, Anthony and Ottavia remained on good terms and continued to co-parent their daughter. Unfortunately, Anthony Bourdain tragically passed away in 2018, leaving behind a legacy as a renowned chef, author, and television personality.

Did Anthony Bourdain and Nacny Putkoski Have Any Kids?

Indeed, despite their efforts to salvage their marriage, the damage in Nancy Putkoski and Anthony Bourdain's relationship had become irreparable. The couple struggled to bridge the gap caused by Bourdain's hectic career and his desire to explore the world, while Putkoski preferred a more private and settled life. 

Unfortunately, their attempts to make things work were in vain, and they eventually decided to get a divorce in 2005. Throughout their marriage, the couple did not have any children together. It seems that they were focused on their individual pursuits and the challenges they faced as a couple made them realize that they were better off apart. 

After their divorce, Nancy Putkoski chose to maintain a low profile and keep her personal life out of the public eye, while Anthony Bourdain went on to have another marriage and a daughter with Ottavia Busia. Despite the end of their marriage, Anthony Bourdain remained respectful and spoke highly of Nancy in interviews, acknowledging that their relationship had a significant impact on his life.

Husband, Anthony Bourdain Died 

In early June 2018, Anthony Bourdain, the renowned chef and television host, was in Strasbourg, France, filming an episode of his show Parts Unknown with his close friend Éric Ripert. On June 8, Ripert became concerned when Bourdain did not show up for dinner and breakfast. 

Tragically, Ripert discovered Bourdain's lifeless body in his hotel room at Le Chambard Hotel in Kaysersberg, near Colmar. The cause of death was determined to be suicide by hanging, and Bourdain was only 61 years old at the time of his passing.

There were no signs of violence on Bourdain's body, and it appeared that the suicide was a spontaneous and impulsive act. Toxicology results revealed that there were no narcotics in his system, only a trace of therapeutic non-narcotic medication.

After his body was cremated in France on June 13, 2018, his ashes were brought back to the United States two days later. 

Net Worth of Nancy Putkoski

After her divorce from Anthony Bourdain, she chose to keep a low profile and has remained out of the public eye. Also, her exact profession and earnings hahaven'tsn't been yet revealed. However, the majority of her fortune is from her divorce settlement.

As a result, it is estimated that Nancy Putkoski's net worth is likely in the range of $600,000. On the other hand, her ex-husband, Bourdain had a net worth of $8 Million during his deathbed.

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