Buddy Valastro Opens Up About the Painful Loss of His Mom, Mary Valastro
It's been a year since Buddy Valastro's world was turned upside down when his beloved mom, Mary Valastro, passed away on June 22, 2017, after an eight-year battle with ALS. In an emotional and candid interview, the star of Cake Boss shared his feelings about this deeply personal loss. "The day she passed was such a mix of emotions," Buddy revealed. "It was heart-wrenching sadness, but also a profound sense of relief because, at that point, she wasn't really living anymore. ALS is a cruel disease that takes so much from you, and she wasn't the vibrant, fiery woman we all knew and loved."
"I don't want to remember her as she was during the last two years of her life because that wasn't really her," the 41-year-old told People magazine. "Of course, I'm heartbroken that the mom I knew is no longer here, but with ALS, I'm grateful that God took her. It wasn't fair to her or to us to watch her suffer like that. She deserved peace, and I believe she's found it now."
Comparing the Loss of His Parents: A Tale of Two Heartbreaks
Buddy also reflected on the stark differences between losing his mom to ALS and the sudden death of his father, Bartolo "Buddy" Valastro Sr., in March 1994, after a brief battle with lung cancer. "With my dad, it was so sudden and unexpected," he shared. "I watched my mom grieve for nine long months, but through her pain, she became this incredible, independent, and vibrant woman. That's why dealing with ALS was so much harder—it felt like watching her slowly fade away, which was truly torturous."
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Despite the pain, Buddy admitted that his dad's death brought him closer to his mom. "We cried together, we bonded, and for the rest of her life, there was nothing we wouldn't share with each other," he said. "Our relationship was built on trust, love, and mutual respect. There was nothing off-limits between us, and I'll always cherish those memories."
View this post on InstagramIt’s with an extremely heavy heart that I must share the news of my mother’s passing. She left for heaven this morning, surrounded by the family. This is a difficult time for all of us and I do ask for your patience and respect while we let this sink in. Her battle with ALS has ended, she is no longer suffering and I hope she’s dancing to “I Will Survive” with my dad right now.
Finding Comfort in Faith and Memories
Buddy found solace in his faith and the comforting words his mom often shared about death. "My mom was a devout churchgoer every Sunday, and she always said, 'I'm not afraid because I'm going to heaven; I'm going to be with God,'" he recalled. "I truly believe that's where she is now. I can picture her singing 'I Will Survive' and my dad baking in heaven. It's a beautiful thought that helps me through the hardest days."
During an interview with Radar Online last year, Buddy spoke openly about the profound impact his mom had on his life. "She was my biggest fan, my mom, my hero," he said. "I wouldn't be the man I am today without her. Losing her has been one of the toughest experiences of my life. Watching her deteriorate over time while battling ALS was incredibly difficult for all of us."
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Even now, Buddy finds himself emotional when he visits the Hoboken bakery. "When I go to the bakery, I can't help but cry," he admitted. "A couple of weeks ago, I walked into my old office above the bakery, and I just broke down. I can still hear her zipping around the place in my head, telling me she's the boss. She will always be my boss, and I'll always carry her with me."
View this post on InstagramSpending the day on the water with the whole famiglia and have been thinking of her for all of it. It’s been a year today since we said our goodbye for now and while I know she’s up there with dad, I miss her so much. Love you mom ❤️
A Final Goodbye and a Tribute to a Remarkable Woman
Through an emotional Instagram post last summer, Buddy confirmed his mom's passing. "It's with an extremely heavy heart that I must share the news of my mother’s passing," he wrote. "She left for heaven this morning, surrounded by the family. This is a difficult time for all of us, and I ask for your patience and respect as we process this loss. Her battle with ALS has ended, and she's no longer suffering. I hope she's dancing to 'I Will Survive' with my dad right now."
Buddy's representative informed People that the chef had rushed back to New Jersey to be with his mom after her health took a turn for the worse. "Mary’s condition had been steadily declining over the past few months, so while it wasn't unexpected, it was still absolutely heartbreaking for the family," the spokesperson explained. "After eight years of fighting ALS, the family feels a sense of relief that she's no longer suffering. Buddy and his sisters are devastated right now, but they're finding strength in their memories of her."
View this post on InstagramThinking that much more about a truly remarkable woman today who meant the world to me and to so many others. Happy Mother’s Day
As a tribute to his late mom, Buddy announced that all Carlo's Bakery locations would close for a day. "In observance of the mourning of the passing of Mary Valastro, Carlo's Bakery will be closed on Tuesday, June 27, 2017," a message posted to the bakery's Instagram account stated. "Thank you in advance for your understanding. Normal business activities will resume on Wednesday, June 28, 2017."
Mary's Legacy on Cake Boss and Beyond
Before her passing, Mary was a beloved guest-star on her son's hit reality show, Cake Boss. The series premiered on TLC in April 2009 and showcased Buddy, his four sisters, and their extended family as they ran the iconic Carlo's Bake Shop in Hoboken, NJ. In a 2014 interview, Buddy spoke candidly about his mother's battle with ALS. "The hardest part about ALS is realizing that one day you're able to brush your teeth, and the next day, you'll never be able to do it again," he explained. "One day you can walk, and the next day, you'll never walk again. It's a cruel reminder of how much we take for granted."
