Anthony Bourdain had legions of fans around the world who admired and loved him. On Twitter, he had more than 7 million followers. Many have taken to replying to his tweets with messages about Bourdain’s passing, an ever-growing testimonial to how much the man and his work meant to people.
Bourdain’s final tweet, posted on June 3rd, shared a Soundcloud link with a mix of The Animals’ “House of the Rising Sun” created by “Parts Unknown” composer Michael Ruffino for the CNN show’s Hong Kong episode. “THIS song from the score from tonight’s HONG KONG @PartsUnknownCNN is gonna stay with me,” Bourdain wrote of the evocative music. Bourdain worked on “Parts Unknown” for the last 5 years; the Emmy-winning series was in its eleventh season.
THIS song from the score from tonight’s HONG KONG @PartsUnknownCNN is gonna stay with me https://t.co/GgaSAndyXs
— Anthony Bourdain (@Bourdain) June 3, 2018
We’ve seen many responses to Bourdain’s death from celebrities and politicians, but the depth of emotions he inspired shines through in these fan tributes that were not created in the public eye.
There is an international collective mourning underway for a person that few of us had the luck to meet but so many of us adored from afar. Here are a few of the replies to Bourdain’s last tweet—their kindness and honesty have been making me tear up all day. I recommend listening to Ruffino’s “Rising Sun Blues” as you read.
Because of you, I feel like I know the world 🌎. Thank you for that and may your gentle soul rest in perfect peace 🙏😢
— Fanfan (@fasonasise) June 8, 2018
gonna miss you, man. even if we never met, there was something encouraging and special about being in a world with someone like you, doing what you do, and loving it. 💙
— Anthony Nardo (@OuchMyNardz) June 8, 2018
Thanks for not giving a fuck and for giving a real fuck.
— Monica Bielanko (@MonicaBielanko) June 8, 2018
Ughhhh….. R.I.P. I miss you a lot dude. I will eat my food and ask you up there, “have you tried this before? It’s so good.” I’d honestly be talking to myself, but it’ll give me comfort. R.I.P, thank you for the memories.
— PetPatPot (@holylancer_ain) June 8, 2018
I have chills hearing this and knowing the lyrics. Rest in peace. I’m sad I’ll never bump into you at some roadside food vendor and shout you a brew. Thank you for living and doing so much. Vale.
— Cørt (@CoherentGuile) June 8, 2018
Absolutely shocked to hear the sad news, you were the only guy I’ve ever seen on TV who I’ve thought “I’d like to spend a night in the pub with this guy”. You will be sorely missed as an original voice in a world of blandness. Thoughts with your family and friends Tony. Rest easy
— Iain Boyle (@iainboyle) June 8, 2018
Thank you for opening my eyes to the world and letting me travel vicariously through you. You will be sorely missed.
— Ashley (@horde_lock) June 8, 2018
Rest forever in peace Chef. You will be missed. I’m so sorry. 🙏
— Ricky Davila (@TheRickyDavila) June 8, 2018
Thank you @Bourdain for getting me out of #America, thank you. You’ve impacted the world to be more connected around a smaller table. Because every great story is better being shared around a good meal with local people. We all wanted to be a little more like you!
— Julie Gauthier (@JulieGauthier08) June 8, 2018
Heartbreaking. He had the world in his hands. Mental illness doesn’t discriminate.
— G.F. DĂaz (@voidofchill) June 8, 2018
RIP pic.twitter.com/wWu8uhJE8L
— 🌊sweetleaf🌊 (a very stable genius) (@great_sweetleaf) June 8, 2018
Anthony, you’ve redefined the travel show and brought realism into the stories and pictures of your shows. You’ve taught me so much about individuality and having an open mind to others. You will be greatly missed.
— Moe Cosagio™ (@DJCosagio) June 8, 2018
Heartbroken over this loss to the world. There will be a time when this will not be the last memory and we remember and rejoice in his legacy and footprint but it is impossible to accept that he is gone today.
— marylb (@marylb) June 8, 2018
There’s nothing I can say that hasn’t already been said. He was the master, the reason I learned to love to cook and create. His passion, his wit and his way with words will be missed forever. RIP Tony. We’re going to miss you. #AnthonyBourdain
— Alyssia (@allycatt1990) June 8, 2018
“I don’t have to agree with you to like you or respect you.” My favorite Bourdain quote. His voice in this world will be missed by so many. Hope whatever your next journey is, it will be peaceful. He was my hero.
— Janis K. (@janis6798) June 8, 2018
Thank you Anthony for showing us how life could be lived and how people should be treated. Today is a sad day for humanity. You will be missed.
— rene guerrero (@reneguerrero29) June 8, 2018
You meant so much to many people. Thank you for the life you have lived and the passion you ignited across the globe for food, travel, music and humanity. #RIPAnthonyBourdain
— Raj Dhatt (@rajdhatt) June 8, 2018
And all your being will forever stay with us. You will be greatly missed.
— Bruno Escarcega (@bruno_escarcega) June 8, 2018
You were one of my teachers. Thank you.
— MrsBundrige (@bigsisternes) June 8, 2018
I did not want to wake up to this news. Devastated. You were an icon and I admired you greatly. I’ve been watching and following you for years and can’t believe we will no longer be illuminated by your brilliant light. I hope you have found peace…RIP 😥
— Paris B (@ParadisRetrouve) June 8, 2018
Rest now where you are and have the peace you missed here. RIP
— Karen Landry (@Reddkl) June 8, 2018
One cool cat!!!, I felt like I knew you watching your shows. I lived through your travels, funny daring and fearless . Rest easy🙏🏼
— Vida Duah (@thepocos) June 8, 2018
I can’t believe it, the pain of your passing is genuine. The world loved you. I purposely didn’t watch all your episodes so I could have treasures to save, because I didn’t want it to end.
— Jeremiah (@H2Omiah) June 8, 2018
We love you. We miss you already.
— Missy Bechthold (@MBechthold84) June 8, 2018
Social media is often performative, but there’s something that feels so genuine and honest in these reply tributes to Bourdain. They’re not statements on the matter made on one’s own Twitter or Facebook page—rather, fans have gone to Bourdain’s last tweet and left him a personal message of thanks, loss, mourning, and love, as though speaking directly to the man himself.
There are more than a thousand replies on Bourdain’s tweet at the moment, and I imagine that this number will grow exponentially over the years.
The replies demonstrate the ways that people can feel deep empathy for someone they never knew in “real life” but who mattered a lot in their own lives. It shows how much impact a single person can have, changing the viewpoints of countless others around the world, inspiring them to overcome fears and embark on new adventures. It’s been a beautiful thing to see on a tragic day.
I am leaving for my first trip to Chile next week. That is because of you Mr. Bourdain. You showed my what I wanted to see with my own eyes. Thanks. Rest now. We will explore for you.
— Melissa Edwards (@mylittlehawks07) June 8, 2018
(via Twitter, image: Craig Barritt/Getty Images for The New Yorker, Twitter)
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Published: Jun 8, 2018 07:46 pm