Ryan Seacrest Reveals Dad’s Heartbreaking Last Words Before Death
Ryan Seacrest suffered a tragic family loss when his father, Gary, passed away. The Wheel of Fortune host’s dad had been battling cancer for years. Ryan and his family gathered around his dad’s bedside. He revealed the heartbreaking final words he heard from his father. Keep reading for more details on the shattering loss.
Ryan Seacrest Sat Vigil At Father’s Beside
Ryan Seacrest turned 50 last year. At that age, it’s rare to have one parent still alive, but the Wheel of Fortune host had both. He shared in 2021 that his father, Gary, had been diagnosed with prostate cancer “years ago.” After initially going into remission, the cancer returned. His father has been fighting it ever since.
Sadly, he lost the battle. Ryan Seacrest announced on social media on Friday, October 31st, that his beloved father had died. He opened up more about the final days he had with his father in Atlanta, Georgia, where his parents live.
“I was by his bedside over the last several days. My mother was by his bedside, my sister by his bedside. We held his hand, we kissed his forehead, we watched every last moment with our father, my mom’s husband of fifty-six years,” he said on Friday’s episode of the On Air with Ryan Seacrest radio show.
Ryan continued, “It was the most difficult dichotomy and strange combination of feelings I’ve ever felt because of the difficulty and the toughness and seeing this happen, the helplessness you have.”
American Idol Host Reveals Dad’s Heartbreaking Last Words Before Death
Ryan Seacrest, his mother, sister, and brother-in-law were all there at his father’s bedside. He revealed that his father mustered the strength for a few final words.
“He said without much strength or energy that he loved us and that he was going to miss us. He looked over at me—and the power in the contact—he said, ‘Take care of your mom.’”
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Gary Lee Seacrest’s concern in his final moments was his wife and granddaughter.
“He said to my sister, Jimmy, ‘Take care of Flora, my granddaughter.’ And then literally a few seconds later he closed his eyes and said, ‘I’ve got to go.’ He knew. He was at peace,” Ryan Seacrest shared.
His Father Was The ‘Ultimate Gentleman’
The Wheel of Fortune host is still reeling from the loss. He told listeners how much his father loved his family.
“He was a champion of family dinners. He always wanted us to have dinner together so we could talk, and he would show up—he would show up,” he said.
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“He was the ultimate gentleman. He did the things that you hope someone who’s with your daughter, in this case my mom, does for your daughter, right? Really respects, communicates, stands on the street side when she’s on the sidewalk,” Ryan Seacrest added.
He had a close relationship with his father. The loss is devastating to the television host and his family. But knowing his father was at peace makes it hurt a little less.
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