She was truly one of a kind — brilliant, compassionate, and bursting with talent.
But now, the world has lost Celebrity Chef Anne Burrell.
Anne Burrell, beloved for her fiery personality and signature spiky blonde hair, has passed away unexpectedly at 55.
She was found unresponsive in her Brooklyn home on the morning of June 17, 2025, and emergency responders were unable to revive her. Now, new details are coming to light about her sudden and unexpected passing.
The New York City Police Department has revealed that Burrell was discovered “unconscious and unresponsive” and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Cause of death
While police did not initially confirm her identity, saying they were still in the process of notifying next of kin, the address listed in their statement reportedly matched Burrell’s residence, according to People.
Burrell’s family later confirmed the devastating news. The city medical examiner is set to conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
Anne was born on September 21, 1969, in Cazenovia, New York. From a young age, she developed a passion for cooking, sparked by her mother’s homemade dishes and the influence of culinary legend Julia Child.
But Anne Burrell’s impact went far beyond the kitchen. She was not only a dynamic Food Network fan favorite, but also a devoted wife, mother, and friend.
Survived by her husband Stuart Claxton, his son Javier, her mother Marlene, sister Jane, brother Ben, and children Isabella, Amelia, and Nicolas, her family shared a heartfelt tribute: “Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend — her smile lit up every room she entered. 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.”
Last picture
Known for making cooking approachable and fun, Anne remained her cheerful self until the very end. Just five days before her passing, she posted on Instagram, “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 💚💚💚.”
In one of her last in-depth interviews in April with TastingTable, Anne opened up about the emotional connection between cooks and their food. “I truly in my heart feel that your food knows how you’re feeling when you cook it and it reacts accordingly,” she said.
Anne’s mission was to make cooking enjoyable, not intimidating. On shows like Worst Cooks in America, she focused on supporting beginners with encouragement and positivity, helping people gain confidence by embracing mistakes as part of the learning process.
She also stressed the importance of preparation and discipline in the kitchen. “Find a recipe for it. Don’t just try to wing it. Find a recipe, read several recipes and pick out the one that you feel most comfortable with or the one that you like the best, and then read it from beginning to end before you start cooking,” she advised.
Burrell was a strong advocate of mise en place — prepping all ingredients ahead and cleaning as you go — to make cooking smoother and less stressful. She always emphasized tasting food while cooking to get the flavors just right.
Her authenticity and passion shone through in her final months. When fans asked on Instagram why she wasn’t appearing on Worst Cooks in America, she replied candidly, “Honestly I don’t know. 🤷🏼♀️😑❤️.”
