The Truth About Anthony Bourdain And Nancy Putkoski's Relationship
Celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain was wildly popular during his lifetime. He was a famous television personality, an acclaimed author, an experienced chef, a passionate traveler, and more.
His personal life, it must be said, has received almost as much attention as his professional experiences. Despite being a man of eclectic interests and talents, least one of his relationships was something of a constant for several years. According to Delish, the chef had a long and close relationship with Nancy Putkoski, going back to high school, that sadly disintegrated many years later.
Bourdain was crazy about Putkoski, according to a New Yorker profile. She was two years ahead of him, part of the drug crowd, something that highly influenced Bourdain, who started trying drugs himself. His mom wasn't too pleased with his behavior and told him, "I love you dearly, but, you know, I don't like you very much at present." In the 1970s, after Bourdain graduated from high school, he ended up joining Putkoski at Vassar to be close to her.
The relationship didn't work out
As Delish reported, Bourdain didn't stay at Vassar for too long and ended up quitting after a couple of years, going on to study at the Culinary Institute of America instead. However, he remained close to Putkoski. The couple made the decision to tie the knot in 1985. Drugs were, unfortunately, very much a part of their relationship. As the chef revealed in his book "Kitchen Confidential," they couldn't quite get rid of the habit. He wrote, "We were high all the time, sneaking off to the walk-in at every opportunity to 'conceptualize.'"
The duo stayed together for two decades. Things took a turn for the worse when Bourdain started getting popular in the culinary industry, something that made Putkoski insecure. Bourdain once remarked, "I felt like the whole world was opening up to me. I'd seen things. I'd smelled things. I desperately wanted more. And she saw the whole thing as a cancer." They ended up divorcing after 20 years of marriage.
If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).