Trigger Warning: This story includes sensitive subject matter that may be hard for some readers.
Lisa Vanderpump has made a name for herself in reality TV as the saucy Brit unafraid to speak her mind. From starring on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,Vanderpump Rules and Underserved with Lisa Vanderpump to judging on the divisive new Pooch Perfect, she never fails to deliver the dramatic and comedic gold of showmanship. But Vanderpump is also human with struggles of her own and has had to deal with the deaths of both her mother and older brother in recent years. On the third anniversary of her brother’s passing yesterday, the restauranteur and Bravolebrity paid a touching tribute.
Her brother, Mark Vanderpump, died by suicide in April of 2018. The tragic news was shocking and overwhelmingly sad for Lisa Vanderpump, as we saw during the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and Vanderpump Rules seasons during that span of time. Three years later, Vanderpump posted a pic of herself with her brother on the anniversary of his death, with the caption saying, “gone but not forgotten.” See her tribute below:
Over the years, the former Real Housewives star has struggled in her grief for her late brother. Fans witnessed Vanderpump crying in Bravo confessionals a few times as she attempted to articulate the pain of losing someone close to her in that way, meanwhile dealing with the petty squabbles and drama of reality TV. Her last season on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills – in which the group accused Vanderpump of going to the tabloids about Dorit Kemsley and an adopted dog – was too much for the reality show matriarch, prompting her exit in 2019.
In the wake of her Real Housewives departure, Lisa Vanderpump opened up to People about how her brother’s death affected her. She said at the time:
You pass those hurdles like the first Christmas they’re not here or the first birthday, and then realization sinks in that you’re never going to see them again. It’s been hard to deal with, but I’m a very buoyant person. Even in the depths of grief I try to see the bright side.
As someone whose father committed suicide, I empathize with Lisa Vanderpump and her loss. It is a painful and often confusing grieving process that never really leaves. Cliché, I know. But quite frankly, I am in awe of Lisa Vanderpump’s ability to be so brave and honest about her journey on such a highly scrutinized platform.
I hope any reader who is struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts and comes across this post truly hears me when I say that you are not alone. There is help out there for you. You can find resources on the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the National Suicide Prevention Helpline at 800-273-8255, or The Trevor Project, an organization Lisa Vanderpump has worked with in the past.
