The world is still reeling from the heartbreaking and unexpected loss of celebrity chef Anne Burrell, a woman known for her unmatched energy, vibrant personality, and exceptional culinary talent. At just 55 years old, Anne passed away suddenly, leaving behind a legacy of inspiration, love, and joy. She was found unresponsive in her Brooklyn home on the morning of June 17, 2025, and despite the efforts of emergency responders, she was pronounced dead at the scene.

The New York City Police Department later confirmed that she had been discovered “unconscious and unresponsive,” though they initially withheld her name to notify family members. However, reports indicated that the address mentioned in the police statement matched Anne’s residence, and her family soon confirmed the tragic news. An autopsy by the city medical examiner will determine her official cause of death. Born on September 21, 1969, in Cazenovia, New York, Anne’s love for food began early, inspired by her mother’s home-cooked meals and the influence of culinary icon Julia Child. This passion eventually led her to attend the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, from which she graduated in 1996, launching a career that would take her to kitchens, television sets, and the hearts of fans everywhere.

Although she was widely known for her work on shows like Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, Worst Cooks in America, Chef Wanted with Anne Burrell, and her appearances on Iron Chef America, Anne was also a devoted wife, stepmother, daughter, sister, and friend. She is survived by her husband Stuart Claxton, his son Javier, her mother Marlene, her sister Jane, her brother Ben, and children Isabella, Amelia, and Nicolas. Her family issued a heartfelt statement following her passing, saying, “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.” Even in her final days, Anne was full of life and joy.

Just five days before her death, she shared a cheerful Instagram post about a chance encounter with a local icon in her Brooklyn neighborhood. She wrote, “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 warmth, humor, and love for the community around her. In an April 2025 interview with TastingTable, Anne opened up about the deep emotional connection between cooks and their food, saying, “I truly in my heart feel that your food knows how you’re feeling when you cook it and it reacts accordingly.” She was committed to making cooking feel less intimidating and more joyful, especially for beginners. Her work on Worst Cooks in America was defined by her encouragement and support for novices, teaching them that mistakes were just part of the learning process. She was a big believer in preparation and emphasized the importance of reading recipes thoroughly, prepping ingredients in advance—a practice known as mise en place—and cleaning as you go to make cooking a smoother and more enjoyable experience. Anne also encouraged tasting food while cooking to adjust and balance flavors effectively.

Her genuine nature shone through even on social media, where she responded candidly to a fan who asked why she hadn’t been on Worst Cooks in America recently, replying, “Honestly I don’t know.” Anne’s heart for service extended well beyond the kitchen. She served on the advisory board for the Garden of Dreams Foundation, was a celebrity ambassador for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and actively supported City Harvest’s Food Council, helping fight food insecurity in New York. She often said, “I feel so lucky to be able to share my true passion in life with others.” Anne’s personal life was just as fulfilling. She met Stuart Claxton on Bumble in 2018, and they became engaged in April 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown. They were married in October 2021 in a joyful ceremony surrounded by friends and fellow Food Network stars. In a 2023 interview with People, Anne shared, “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,” and Stuart added, “It’s been wonderful, to say the least.” The couple had recently settled into their renovated Brooklyn home, where Anne said they were enjoying setting up their new life together. Looking forward, they had dreamed of traveling together, singing karaoke, and spending time cooking meals side by side. Anne Burrell’s death is a profound loss, but her legacy of warmth, authenticity, and culinary joy will live on in the hearts of her fans and loved ones.