Earlier this week, we reported that the Food Network star Anne Burrell died suddenly on Tuesday at the age of 55. She was found dead on the floor of her shower in her Brooklyn, New York penthouse that morning.
Now, Burrell’s secret heartbreak has been revealed.
Burrell’s Secret Struggles
Burrell was known for her zest for life. Indeed, she had an incredibly exuberant personality that constantly radiated joy.
“She made everything fun. She was a true force of nature,” a friend of Burrell’s told Page Six. “Her personality was so big.”
The friend went on to describe Burrell as being the “life of every party.” Behind the scenes, however, Burell had some personal struggles that her fans were unaware of.
“I know she kind of struggled — once she was on TV and was on her way to be a TV celebrity chef,” the friend explained.
“She was famous, she was doing the food and wine circuit stuff. She was busy — I kind of felt like she wasn’t totally happy,” Burrell’s friend continued. “People with big personalities sometimes mask things.”
Burrell Found Dead
Burrell was found “unconscious and unresponsive” in the shower of her bathroom by her husband Stuart Claxton at around 7:50am on Tuesday. He had last seen her alive at around 1am.
Sadly, it has since been revealed that Burrell’s body was found “in the shower unconscious and unresponsive surrounded by approximately (100) assorted pills.” Her death is now being investigated as a possible drug overdose. An autopsy has been performed on Burrell’s body, but her exact cause of death has yet to be revealed.
Full Story: Food Network Star Anne Burrell’s Death Probe Takes Tragic Turn As Police Investigate Possible Drug Overdose
Burrell got her start as a teacher at the Institute of Culinary Education in the early 2000s. She would go on to become a Food Network star on shows like Iron Chef America, Chef Wanted, Chopped and Worst Cooks in America. Most recently, Burrell was featured on the competition series House of Knives in March of 2025.
Burrell opened Phil & Anne’s Good Time Lounge, a neighborhood Mediterranean restaurant and cocktail lounge in Cobble Hill, in May of 2017. She opened the restaurant with Phil Casaceli, who she’d been friends with for years. However, Burrell and Casaceli soon had a falling out that was so ugly that they cut ties with one another.
Almost as soon as the restaurant opened, Burrell and Casaceli were only speaking through attorneys. By April of 2018, the restaurant had closed.
“I’m sure it was really hard for her to manage — opening this restaurant, managing it and have her job on television,” the friend of Burrell’s stated.
Struggles Of Food Network Stars
Indeed, it’s common for Food Network stars to have more success on television than they do in the actual restaurant world.
“A lot of [them] struggle with feeling like they’re no longer legitimate because they don’t have a real restaurant life anymore,” said Allen Salkin, the author of “From Scratch: Inside the Food Net.”
“The demands of a restaurant, and the demands of sporadically being on television are almost impossible to marry together,” he continued. “When you’re getting paid $100,000 to show up for a weekend to a food festival somewhere, it’s hard to justify, spending late hours in a restaurant to earn a couple dollars and make a couple people happy.”
Work Hard, Play Hard
Burrell had long been known for her work hard, play hard attitude.
“There were some bars I couldn’t go back to because she was too much of a party,” her friend said. “She was always about going out to party – ‘Hey lets not miss it.’”
In recent years, however, Burrell calmed down a bit. She married her Claxton in October of 2021, and she enjoyed being an active stepmother to his 22 year-old son Javier.
“I always knew she wanted to settle down,” the friend said. “She wanted a family. She met Stuart, she really found true happiness and fulfillment.”
Despite this, Burrell’s life still wasn’t perfect.
“She had, like the rest of us, demons … She didn’t let me in too much,” her friend admitted. ““[As a TV star],You have so many high moments. In private, you’re going to have a let down.”
Salkin remembers Burrell once opening up to him about a substance abuse issue in her family.
“She told me she grew up in a situation with alcoholism,” he said.
Burrell’s friend concluded by recalling the last time they spoke, which was just over a year ago.
“She seemed so happy, very calm which is not the energy she had 25 years ago,” the friend said.
Burrell’s Family Honors Her
Burrell’s loved ones have been left shocked and devastated by her death.
“Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend — her smile lit up every room she entered,” Burrell’s family said in a statement. “Anne’s light radiated far beyond those she knew, touching millions across the world. Though she is no longer with us, her warmth, spirit, and boundless love remain eternal.”
Burrell is survived by her husband and stepson. She is also survived by her mother, two siblings, two nieces, and a nephew. Please join us in saying a prayer for Burrell’s family and friends during this incredibly tragic time.
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