My Big Fat Fabulous Life star Whitney Way Thore shared the news that her mother Barbara “Babs” Thore passed away on Wednesday night. Whitney and her mom were incredibly close, and their genuine bond was reflected throughout all the seasons of My Big Fat Fabulous Life. Babs was a fan favorite on the reality show, and fans are stunned to hear about the family’s great loss.
Babs suffered a stroke in December 2021, and afterward resided at Abbotswood Senior Living Community. The My Big Fat Fabulous Life mom received the care that she required, while still being able to enjoy time with her family. After Babs moved to the facility, her husband Glenn Thore and daughter Whitney never left her side. They stayed at the facility as well. While Babs was continuing to make a steady recovery, she still had ailments that posed risks to her health. The Thore family was aware of this, but that didn’t deter them from enjoying quality time together. They didn’t take a single moment for granted. Earlier this summer, Babs celebrated her 76th birthday, with her family by her side.
Babs Thore Had Multiple Hemorrhagic Strokes
Whitney shared the tragic news on her Instagram account, detailing her mother’s passing. She posted a slideshow of photos from her mother’s life. She added the caption, “Rest In Peace, Sweet Mommy. June 22, 1946—December 7, 2022. My mother died last night just as the credits rolled on her favorite movie. Dad, Hunter, and I held her as she took her last breaths. It was 10:32pm, the same exact time she brought me into this world almost forty years ago.” The My Big Fat Fabulous Life star went on to explain that Babs suffered from an, “untreatable progressive condition caused by proteins in the blood vessels of the brain that can cause dementia, seizures, or like in my mom’s case, brain bleeding (hemorrhagic strokes).”
Although some viewers didn’t always like how Whitney treated her mother, they knew she loved her. She never missed an opportunity to express how much she cared, and to honor the lasting impact that she had on her life. My Big Fat Fabulous Life fans were saddened by Whitney’s post, and were quick to offer their condolences. One fan commented on her post, “Oh Whitney, my heart goes out to you. Your mom captured our hearts. Thank you for sharing her with us and watching such a beautiful mom-and-daughter relationship.” Similar sentimental messages from her followers flooded her post, as fans offered her their sympathies. Whitney and her family’s heartbreaking loss was felt by many. Seeing the real life impact that Babs had on people was a comforting truth, amid the deep pain and grief that Whitney and her relatives are experiencing.
Whitney was touched by the outpouring of love and care, and felt grateful for her fans’ kind messages. Babs quickly became a staple on My Big Fat Fabulous Life, and the show won’t be the same without her. Her quick wit, hilarious commentary, and firecracker attitude will surely be missed.
