Anthony Bourdain's girlfriend responds to his death

Shortly after news broke of Anthony Bourdain’s apparent suicide, his girlfriend Asia Argento is speaking out.

“Anthony gave all of himself in everything that he did. His brilliant, fearless spirit touched and inspired so many, and his generosity knew no bounds,” she wrote in a note shared on Twitter.

“He was my love, my rock, my protector. I am beyond devastated. My thoughts are with his family. I would ask that you respect their privacy and mine.”

CNN reports that Bourdain was found dead on Friday morning in a luxury hotel in France. He was in the Alsace region of the country filming an upcoming episode of his series Parts Unknown.

The 42-year-old Italian actress met Bourdain during the filming of Parts Unknown in Rome in 2016. The two continued to work together, with Argento even directing an episode based in Hong Kong this season.

A week ago, Argento shared a photo of the couple on Instagram. “It’s a wrap!” she wrote in the caption.

Speaking to People in early 2018, Bourdain shared that Argento’s presence in his life — on and off set — has made him “happier for sure. It’s nice to be with somebody who I see as a peer.”

“This woman likes to work. She is strong, independent, creative, and needs to have an obsession, needs to make things,” Bourdain told the magazine. “I think we’re both relieved by the fact that we both respect each other’s work. Nobody’s ever going to say, ‘Oh, but you promised we were going to go to the beach.’ No, you get a gig, that’s it. Work first.”

If you are concerned about the mental health of yourself or a loved one, seek support and information by calling Lifeline 13 11 14, Mensline 1300 789 978, or Kids Helpline 1800 551 800

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