Why Did Anne Burrell Commit Suicide? Was She Depressed, Was There a Suicide Note

On June 17, 2025, Anne Burrell was found unresponsive in her Brooklyn home and was pronounced dead at the scene. 

It wasn’t a heart attack or natural causes. Weeks later, the New York City Medical Examiner officially ruled her death a suicide by acute intoxication, citing a lethal combination of diphenhydramine, cetirizine, ethanol, and amphetamine.

Her husband discovered her in the shower with dozens of pills around her—nearly a hundred, in fact—and emergency responders had initially been called to what was thought to be a cardiac arrest.

Why Did Anne Burrell Commit Suicide? Was She Depressed?

Even though friends and family described her as cheerful and energetic—she performed improv the night before and seemed in good spirits—it appears Anne was struggling privately. 

No public statements indicated she was battling clinical depression, and she had never publicly discussed suicidal thoughts.

So it's unclear if she was diagnosed with depression; what we do know is that her death by overdose was ruled intentional. That suggests she chose to end her life, even if outwardly she seemed fine.

Was There a Suicide Note?

No suicide note has ever been confirmed or publicly released. Nothing in official reports or family statements refers to one. That remains a private detail, one we don’t have.

Career and Achievements: From Humble Beginnings to Television Stardom

Early Life & Culinary Training

Born in Cazenovia, New York, Anne first earned a BA in English and Communications in 1991, before following her culinary passion to the Culinary Institute of America, graduating in 1996. She further honed her skills in Italy at ICIF in Piedmont.

Restaurant Career

She worked in Tuscany at La Bottega del ’30, then back in New York as sous-chef at Felidia, and later at Savoy and Centro Vinoteca in Manhattan's West Village. 

In 2017 she opened her own spot, Phil & Anne’s Good Time Lounge, though it closed in 2018.

Television Breakthrough

Anne gained notice as Mario Batali’s sous-chef on Iron Chef America, then hosted her own hit Food Network shows: Secrets of a Restaurant Chef (2008–2012, nine seasons), Chef Wanted with Anne Burrell, and most famously Worst Cooks in America—she appeared on 27 seasons as a mentor from 2010–2024.

She was also a New York Times bestselling author, writing Cook Like a Rock Star (2011) and Own Your Kitchen (2013).

Later Work

Her final TV project, House of Knives, premiered in early 2025. She’d also been studying improvisational comedy at The Second City in Brooklyn. In fact, she performed at a show there just before her death.

Net Worth at Her Passing

At the time of her death, Anne Burrell’s net worth was estimated at around $4 million. That came from her television contracts, bestselling cookbooks, live appearances, brand partnerships, and teaching gigs. 

Reports indicate she lived modestly, investing some earnings into charitable causes.

What Drove Her to Take Her Life?

We don’t have private journals or a public letter to explain Anne’s inner state. What is confirmed is:

1. She had no public history of depression or mental health diagnosis.
2. She seemed upbeat before her death, with recent performance appearances.
3. The overdose was ruled intentional, meaning she made a conscious decision to take her own life.
4. So, even though she seemed vibrant and well, something inside was suffering—something she didn’t share publicly.

Legacy: Her Impact That Won’t Fade

Anne Burrell was more than a chef—she was a mentor, educator, and television personality who made cooking fun and encouraging. 

She turned intimidated novices into confident kitchen users, and her energy and sincerity earned the respect of millions.

Chefs, colleagues, and fans across the culinary world described her as a force of nature—an educator who made fine dining techniques accessible to home cooks, and did so with heart and humor. Her warmth and generosity were celebrated by family and peers alike.

Her death sparked conversations about the hidden toll of fame, performer burnout, and the importance of mental health—even when everything looks fine on the outside.