The world is grieving the sudden and heartbreaking loss of celebrity chef Anne Burrell, a woman celebrated not only for her culinary expertise but also for her vibrant personality, kindness, and relentless passion. Anne, known for her spiky platinum-blonde hair, fiery spirit, and memorable presence on the Food Network, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 55. She was found unresponsive in her Brooklyn home on the morning of June 17, 2025, and was pronounced dead at the scene despite emergency responders’ efforts.

Although her identity was initially withheld pending family notification, the address mentioned in the police report matched her known residence, and her family later confirmed the tragic news. The city medical examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death. Born on September 21, 1969, in Cazenovia, New York, Anne developed a love for cooking early in life, influenced by her mother’s homemade meals and inspired by legendary culinary icon Julia Child. This passion eventually led her to the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, where she graduated in 1996 and began a storied career in the food world. While Anne was widely known for her roles on hit shows like Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, Chef Wanted with Anne Burrell, and Worst Cooks in America, her influence extended far beyond television.

She was also a loving wife, stepmother, daughter, sister, and loyal friend. Her family—including husband Stuart Claxton, his son Javier, her mother Marlene, sister Jane, brother Ben, and children Isabella, Amelia, and Nicolas—issued a heartfelt tribute that described Anne as someone whose light and warmth touched every life she encountered. “Her smile lit up every room she entered,” they wrote. “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.” Just five days before her passing, Anne remained active on social media, posting about a cheerful encounter with a local Brooklyn icon, affectionately writing, “I ran into @greenladyofbrooklyn in my neighborhood today!!

I’m not going to lie—I have been keeping an eye out for her. I may or may not have followed her down the street for a minute. She is just lovely!!! #ilovewhatido #luckygirl 💚💚💚.” This final post perfectly captured Anne’s signature charm, curiosity, and zest for life. In one of her last interviews in April with TastingTable, Anne expressed her belief that food carries emotional energy, saying, “I truly in my heart feel that your food knows how you’re feeling when you cook it and it reacts accordingly.” Her mission was to make cooking feel joyful and accessible to everyone, especially beginners. On Worst Cooks in America, she guided participants through their culinary challenges with encouragement and compassion, often highlighting the importance of embracing mistakes as opportunities to grow. She consistently emphasized kitchen preparedness and discipline, frequently advising aspiring cooks to read recipes carefully, gather ingredients ahead of time, and clean as they go.

Anne was a passionate advocate of the French culinary principle of “mise en place”—everything in its place—to make the cooking experience smoother and more enjoyable. She also stressed the importance of tasting throughout the process to develop balanced and satisfying flavors. Her openness with fans extended to social media, where she was known for her honesty and humor. When a fan asked why she wasn’t appearing on the latest season of Worst Cooks in America, Anne responded candidly, “Honestly I don’t know,” reflecting her genuine and approachable personality. Beyond the kitchen, Anne was devoted to giving back. She served on the advisory board of the Garden of Dreams Foundation, supported the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation as a celebrity ambassador, and was active with City Harvest’s Food Council. She often expressed how fortunate she felt to live a life where she could share her true passion with others. Her personal life was equally joyful. Anne met her husband, Stuart Claxton, on Bumble in 2018. They became engaged during the pandemic in April 2020 and tied the knot in October 2021 in a joyful ceremony surrounded by friends and Food Network colleagues. In a 2023 interview with People, Anne gushed about married life, saying, “I have to say, I love being married. We’re together all the time because Stuart works from home. It’s the being together all the time, but it’s also the adventure together.” The couple settled into a newly renovated apartment in Brooklyn and were looking forward to a future filled with travel, laughter, and time spent cooking together. Anne shared her excitement about planning new adventures and karaoke nights, saying, “I’m looking forward to taking a trip—just the two of us.” Though Anne Burrell is no longer with us, her legacy lives on through the countless lives she inspired, the hearts she warmed, and the joy she brought to cooking. Her love, laughter, and light will never be forgotten.