Nancy Putkoski is a lady whose name is not likely to be familar among the public as that of her former husband Anthony Bourdain. As a TV personality, author and chef, Bourdain was an influential figure in the culinary industry which was made apparent in his documentaries. Described for the programs No Reservations and Parts Unknown, the audience could follow, together with Bourdain, culinary exotic travels through various countries. While today everyone knows who Bourdain is, very few people remember Nancy Putkoski, the woman that was with him before the fame and success overwhelmed him. This article describes and explores Nancy Putkoski and her interaction with the star, Bourdain and in their lives.
Early Life and Background
Nancy Putkoski was born during the year 1955 in Fort Lee, New Jersey. Not much can be said about her childhood, she has always kept a very low profile and has avoided the limelight. But it has been established that she was a student at Dwight-Englewood School, a private prep school in Englewood New Jersey. It was here and she was able to cross paths with a young man none the other than Anthony Bourdain.
Both Bourdain and Putkoski were students of Dwight-Englewood School where they met and later dated each other being high school lovers. Nancy was a year older than Anthony and they met while at school and this explains how their relationship started. In addition, they are very close friends and their friendship become even better as they spent most of their time together.
Putkoski continued her education at the liberal arts Vassar College in Poughkeepsie New York after finishing from high school. On the other hand, Bourdain went to Vassar College and after attending for two years, he dropped out and proceeded to work in culinary industry. Nevertheless, they stayed together and after some time, the duo got a marriage under Catholic shrine in 1985.
Life as Mrs. Bourdain
Nancy Putkoski was by Bourdain’s side as he navigated the early stages of his career. Bourdain started his culinary journey in New York City, working in various restaurants before eventually becoming the executive chef at Brasserie Les Halles, a French restaurant in Manhattan. During this time, Putkoski worked in advertising, and the couple lived a relatively quiet life.
In 2000, Bourdain published his first book, Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly, a memoir that would change his life forever. The book became a bestseller, catapulting Bourdain into the spotlight and opening doors to new opportunities, including his first television show, A Cook’s Tour. As Bourdain’s career took off, he began traveling extensively for work, leaving Putkoski alone for long periods.
The demands of Bourdain’s career put a strain on their marriage. Bourdain has been open about the fact that his newfound success and the lifestyle that came with it contributed to the deterioration of their relationship. In his book, Medium Raw: A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People Who Cook, Bourdain wrote about the toll his career took on his marriage, admitting that he was often absent and that his priorities had shifted.
In 2005, after 20 years of marriage, Nancy Putkoski and Anthony Bourdain divorced. The separation was amicable, and the two remained on good terms despite the end of their marriage. Bourdain has spoken fondly of Putkoski in interviews, describing her as his “first love” and acknowledging the important role she played in his life.
Life After Divorce
She stayed by Bourdain’s side as he made his way through the initial part of his profession. Born in Manhattan, New York, Bourdain’s early employment was in restaurants in Manhattan and New York City where he was finally promoted to the position of the executive chef at the French restaurant “Brasserie Les Halles”. At this period, Putkoski also continued in the advertisement department whereas, they led a rather private life.
In 2000, Bourdain published his first book, Kitchen Confidential: The Obscure Book called ‘Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly’, is a memoir that brought a dramatic change of his life. The book was instant hit and put Bourdain in the public eye and got him new opportunities like his first television show A Cook’s Tour. Overtime, as Bourdain’s career grew he had to travel frequently for jobs leaving Putkoski home alone for most of the times.
The Impact of Their Relationship
For several years, from the teenage years until mid-40s, Nancy Putkoski’s relationship with Anthony Bourdain was a friendship. It was a relationship for which defined part of his personality and career, from the man he would become.
In many respects, Putkoski was Bourdain’s rock while the latter was establishing himself as a writer during his formative years. She gave him the home and comfort which such a volatile and unpredictable career in the culinary industry needed. In those years Bourdain himself stated that he was not easy to live with, due to his mood swings, temper tantrums and periods of depression. Still, Putkoski stayed with him, compassionately ignoring his failure.
However, as Bourdain heard to prominence the character of the relationship evolved as well.” Due to Bourdain’s working schedule and many performances worldwide, Putkoski was most of the time alone with their kids. However, their relation began to become strained and there was space between them and therelation ultimately collapsed.
In his work, Bourdain was always honest about the fact that his job came first and that he has regrets in how he left Putkoski. He has said in interviews that he has felt tremendous loneliness and had feelings of loneliness after their divorce for several years and that he sometimes longed for the past.
The show did help Bourdain go on to have an international celebrity status and success but the man who changed his life was Putkoski. Despite this, he remained to have affection towards her and she also never ceased to be an important part of his life story.
The Legacy of Nancy Putkoski
Nancy Putkoski may not be a household name, but her influence on Anthony Bourdain’s life and career is undeniable. She was with him during the formative years of his career, providing support and stability as he navigated the challenges of the culinary world. Their relationship was one that spanned decades, and even after their divorce, Bourdain continued to hold her in high regard.
In many ways, Putkoski’s legacy is intertwined with Bourdain’s. She was the woman behind the man, the one who stood by his side during the early years and helped shape him into the person he would become. While Bourdain’s career took him around the world, Putkoski remained a constant presence in his life, even after their marriage ended.
Putkoski’s decision to remain out of the spotlight following her divorce from Bourdain is a testament to her character. She could have easily capitalized on her connection to one of the most famous chefs in the world, but she chose to maintain her privacy instead. In doing so, she has allowed Bourdain’s legacy to stand on its own, without the added drama of a tell-all book or scandalous interviews.
Conclusion
The chance is that the reader does not know who Nancy Putkoski is, however, her role in Tony Bourdain life was rather important. D’Amico came into the picture as Bourdain’s first wife; she was with him through the most crucial stages of his career especially in the kitchen. They were, indeed, very much a couple for many years, and even after separating, Bourdain kept only good things to say about her.
The fact that Putkoski decided to stay off the limelight after her divorce with Bourdain shows her character. She decided to leave her life a private one until now hence not trying to change the narrative about Bourdain. By so doing, she too has made a mark, and she is remembered for dignity, grace and sheer/enduring power.
Although people know Anthony Bourdain as a television performer who revolutionized the culinary industry, people must not forget the woman who was with him during the formative years. Even if Nancy Putkoski did not try to take up a place in the limelight, her role in Bourdain’s life is obvious. She was the woman behind the man and she will remain so in the history.
FAQs About Nancy Putkoski
1. Who is Nancy Putkoski?
Nancy Putkoski is best known as the first wife of the late chef, author, and television personality Anthony Bourdain. She has maintained a low profile and lived a private life away from the public eye.
2. How did Nancy Putkoski and Anthony Bourdain meet?
Nancy Putkoski and Anthony Bourdain met in high school at Dwight-Englewood School in New Jersey. They were high school sweethearts and later married in 1985.
3. What did Nancy Putkoski do for a living?
While there is limited public information about Nancy Putkoski’s career, it is known that she worked in advertising during her marriage to Anthony Bourdain.
4. How long were Nancy Putkoski and Anthony Bourdain married?
Nancy Putkoski and Anthony Bourdain were married for 20 years, from 1985 until their divorce in 2005.
5. Why did Nancy Putkoski and Anthony Bourdain divorce?
The couple’s divorce was attributed to the strains placed on their relationship by Bourdain’s demanding career, which involved extensive travel and long periods of time away from home.
6. Did Nancy Putkoski remarry after her divorce from Anthony Bourdain?
There is no public information indicating that Nancy Putkoski remarried after her divorce from Anthony Bourdain. She has largely stayed out of the public eye since their separation.
7. Did Nancy Putkoski and Anthony Bourdain have any children together?
No, Nancy Putkoski and Anthony Bourdain did not have any children during their marriage.
8. What impact did Nancy Putkoski have on Anthony Bourdain’s life and career?
Nancy Putkoski was a significant influence in Anthony Bourdain’s early life and career, providing support and stability during his formative years as a chef. Bourdain often spoke fondly of her and acknowledged her impact on his life.
9. Why is there so little information available about Nancy Putkoski?
Nancy Putkoski has chosen to lead a private life, avoiding the public spotlight even after her divorce from Bourdain. She has not given interviews or written any tell-all books about her relationship with him.
10. How did Anthony Bourdain speak about Nancy Putkoski after their divorce?
Anthony Bourdain spoke highly of Nancy Putkoski after their divorce, referring to her as his “first love” and acknowledging the important role she played in his life. He expressed regret for how his career affected their marriage.