Forest Whitaker's Ex-Wife Keisha Nash Whitaker Dies at 51
Keisha Nash Whitaker, the ex-wife of acclaimed actor Forest Whitaker, has passed away at age 51 after a long private battle with anorexia. The two were married for 22 years before divorcing in 2018 and shared three daughters together.
Keisha Battled Eating Disorder in Silence for Years
According to a close source, Keisha combatted the devastating impacts of anorexia nervosa for much of her adult life. In 2014, her condition worsened to the point of requiring rehab treatment in Chicago, with Forest supporting her recovery.
Despite such challenges, the couple's split four years later was reportedly amicable, citing irreconcilable differences. Keisha appears to have kept her health struggles private even from close friends in the entertainment industry during their high-profile marriage.
Modeling and Acting Career Preceded High-Profile Marriage
Long before meeting Forest, Keisha established herself as an immensely successful model and actress in the 1990s. The Boston native landed major contracts with Elite Model Management and Ford Models - even serving as one of Tommy Hilfiger's first African American models.
Keisha's acting career included roles in "Ben Harper: With My Own Two Hands," "Proud," and "Kassim the Dream." But her most fateful role came as Forest's character love interest in the 1994 action film "Blown Away," where cupid's arrow struck. The two wed in Montego Bay just two years later.
A Supportive Co-Parenting Relationship Continued After Split
While Forest and Keisha ended their marriage in 2018 after over two decades together, they maintained an amicable friendship while co-parenting their three daughters - Autumn, 32, Sonnet, 27, and True, 25.
Though the specific circumstances surrounding Keisha's recent tragic passing remain undisclosed, Forest was likely a source of support given their continued respect and bond extending beyond divorce.
Youngest Daughter Pays Tribute to Her Mother's Life
The heartbreaking news of Keisha Nash Whitaker's death was first confirmed publicly by her youngest daughter True via Instagram. In the emotional post, True expressed gratitude for her mom teaching her "every single thing I know."
The tribute described Keisha as "the most beautiful woman in the world" who True would continue seeing in her dreams and feeling in her heart. The words paint a warm portrait of a caring, involved mother now lost too soon.
Longtime Battle With Disease Highlights Serious Issue
While Keisha largely concealed her anorexia diagnosis from the public eye, her passing brings the seriousness of eating disorders into focus. Millions of people, especially women, struggle with conditions like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder.
Bringing honest conversations about such challenges into mainstream discourse can help break down stigma. Openness allows those suffering to access life-saving resources and support networks on the path back to health rather than attempt masking issues. Keisha's death carries the potential to save others now confronting similar struggles if we foster greater compassion about a complex disease.
Conclusion
The unexpected loss of Keisha Nash Whitaker after her silent battle spotlights the urgency around properly diagnosing and treating potentially deadly eating disorders. While delicately balancing her high-profile career, marriage, and motherhood, Keisha privately fought anorexia before the disease ultimately took her life. In the wake of unspeakable tragedy, her legacy will hopefully open more minds to preventing others from meeting similar fates.
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