While words cannot capture her loss, Chrissy Teigen made a mark with this tribute to her late father!
The model took to Instagram to announce the loss of her father, Ron Teigen Sr., who passed away a few days ago; a death the media personality was not exactly prepared to deal with.
Chrissy Teigen’s late father was one of her biggest idols who famously celebrated her 33rd birthday in 2018 by getting a tattoo of her face on his left bicep.
Chrissy Teigen Went To Bed For The First Time Without A Dad
The model began her lengthy tribute with an emotional line about waking up with a father and sadly going to bed without one. She took her readers through her day, which began with her usual routine of hurried showers, picking up after her dog, answering emails and calls, trying on a dress, and sharing some laughs with her friends.
Still in shock, Chrissy disclosed that out of the blue, she learned that her dad had passed away, and it was shocking because, in a way, she felt she had prepared for it, especially since they had a lot of conversations about his old age and everything else.
“If you didn’t know my dad, my dad hated nearly everything in the world that wasn’t a bass guitar, swing dancing, wood carving, animals, YouTube, or his family. I have hundreds and hundreds of videos of him just being mad at things he isn’t even doing, watching, or eating,” the star continued.
She added that in retrospect, she was glad she made those videos that will now serve as memories for her to carry on with. Chrissy concluded the tribute by reiterating her love for her father and promising to converse with him every night.
She also thanked him for being such a great dad to her, as she clarified in the comments that the video in her post was her dad talking about raising her in the Pacific Northwest and loving it.
The Model’s Loved Ones Consoled Her In The Comments
Chrissy’s tribute did tug at some heartstrings, who took to the comments to extend their condolences and encourage her to chin up. Her husband and singer, John Legend, wrote:
“We love you so much, Papa Ron. I’m so glad you got to spend so much time with your grandbabies. I loved seeing you beam with pride at the beautiful family you helped create.”
The model’s pal Kerry Washington also consoled Chrissy for her loss, reassuring her of love and prayers. Actress Jenna Dewan also sent some love her colleague’s way.
Celebrity hair stylist, Jenn Atkin, stressed that it always hurts to lose one’s dad, but remained grateful that Ron birthed her and praised him for being an exceptional and funny human being.
“My heart is saddened for your loss. May you find him and moments of peace in between it all,” another Instagram user declared. This fan encouraged the model to be kind to herself for the next few weeks, because nothing truly prepares one for the loss of a close relative.
Chrissy Teigen’s Dad Celebrated Her 33rd Birthday With An Iconic Gesture
Years before the heartbreaking loss of her father, the model shared one of his most unforgettable gestures of love, which was a tattoo of her face. To celebrate Chrissy’s 33rd birthday, her father surprised her by getting a portrait of her tattooed on his left bicep.
As shared by PEOPLE, the model later shared the picture on Instagram with the caption alluding to it. The image depicts Ron standing with Mark Mahoney, the renowned tattoo artist, inside the tattoo parlor, proudly displaying the new tattoo with the reference image below it.
The surprise tribute was met with a barrage of reactions from fans and celebrities, who were in disbelief and amusement over the gesture and the uncanny resemblance. Kim Kardashian, Katie Couric, and Mindy Kaling were among the many people reacting to the news, and Kaling admitted she was wary that it was real.
Celebrity blogger Perez Hilton joked that it was hard for Legend to top such a gift, as hairstylist Atkin pretty much took ownership of Chrissy’s portrait hairdo. The model has regularly shared funny and intimate snapshots of family life with her followers, usually featuring her mother, Vilailuck Teigen.
Chrissy‘s Parents Maintained Their Unconventional Marriage Pre-Divorce
Long before news surfaced that her father had filed for divorce from her mother, Vilailuck, the model spoke about the unique marriage arrangement between the duo.
The cookbook author previously shared that her mother had become a regular face in her household, helping her with childcare and basically spending so much time with the family.
PEOPLE shared that at the time, the model explained that her father, Ron, lived only a short drive away from her family and remained actively involved in their lives through regular visits.
She described the arrangement as something her parents had maintained for years, noting that while her mother stayed close to the household, her father frequently stopped by and remained connected to the family.
Chrissy’s mother also became a familiar face to fans through several cameos on social media, where she was frequently seen cooking and bonding with the kids. They also took family trips together, including a visit to Thailand after she earned her U.S. citizenship in 2018.
Years later, the family dynamic underwent a significant shift when Ron moved to divorce Vilailuck in Los Angeles. The former couple shares two adult daughters, Chrissy and her sister, Tina.
How Chrissy Teigen And Her Mother Created A Legacy Of Recipes And Cookbooks
As stated by TODAY, cookbooks were not just a source of recipes for the model and her mother; they were a means of saving family stories, memories, and traditions.
With the project being driven by family and legacy, Vilailuck decided to put her recipes into print, creating the cookbook “The Pepper Thai Cookbook: Family Recipes From Everyone’s Favorite Thai Mom.”
This book held extra significance for Chrissy because her mother had written it in honor of her own late parents and of her grandson, Jack. Vilailuck shared that it is a part of the family’s daily life to remember Jack.
Vilailuck’s cookbook also started, to a large degree, with inspiration from Chrissy, who had already carved out a niche in the food world through her published books.
Chrissy was reportedly always reminding Vilailuck to capture the recipes she had mastered over the years, and to remember that those meals should live beyond family dinners.
Originally from Thailand, Vilailuck moved to Washington after marrying Ron and brought her food traditions with her.
RIP to Chrissy Teigen’s dad!