Anthony Bourdain is remembered around the world as a chef, writer, and traveler. He visited countries, met people, and shared meals that inspired millions. But before all the fame, there was a young woman who walked beside him from the very start — Nancy Putkoski.
Nancy was not just a name in his past. She was his first wife and partner for more than 20 years. She knew him before the books, the shows, and the cameras. Yet after their divorce in 2005, she seemed to vanish from public life.
Many people still wonder where Nancy is and what happened to her after the marriage ended. This article tells her story in a simple, friendly way — from her early life to her time with Bourdain and the quiet life she chose later.
Nancy Putkoski Quick Bio
|
|
| Full Name |
Nancy Putkoski |
| Date of Birth |
April 8, 1955 |
| Age (as of 2025) |
70 years old |
| Place of Birth |
Fort Lee, New Jersey, USA |
| Nationality |
American |
| Ethnicity |
Caucasian |
| Zodiac Sign |
Aries |
| Height |
5’5″ (165 cm) |
| Weight |
60 kg (132 lbs) |
| Hair Color |
Dark Brown |
| Eye Color |
Brown |
| Marital Status |
Divorced (Anthony Bourdain, 1985–2005) |
| Children |
None |
| Education |
Dwight-Englewood School, Vassar College (BA Liberal Arts) |
| Current Residence |
New York, USA (private life) |
| Net Worth (est.) |
$100,000–$500,000 |
Who Is Nancy Putkoski?
Nancy Putkoski is best known as the first wife of Anthony Bourdain. But long before she met him, she was just a smart and free‑spirited girl growing up in New Jersey. She was born on April 8, 1955, in Fort Lee, New Jersey.
She grew up in an ordinary household. Little is known about her parents or siblings because she has always kept that part of her life private. Even during her marriage, she rarely spoke to the press.
Friends from school remember Nancy as someone who mixed brains with boldness. She had a sharp mind, a curious nature, and a streak of independence that made her stand out.
How Nancy Met Anthony Bourdain
Nancy met Anthony Bourdain at Dwight‑Englewood School, a private school in New Jersey. She was a year ahead of him and already had a reputation for being the “bad girl” of her crowd. Anthony was younger, shy, and instantly drawn to her confidence.
Their teenage friendship quickly turned into a romance. Bourdain later said Nancy’s rebellious side fascinated him, and he wanted to be a part of her world.
He even made a bold choice to stay close to her — he graduated high school a year early so he could join her in college. That small story shows how deeply he cared for Nancy from the start.
Nancy Putkoski’s College Life at Vassar
After high school, Nancy went to Vassar College, a respected liberal arts school in New York. She enrolled in 1974 and studied liberal arts. Her hard work paid off, and she graduated in 1978.
Anthony followed her there, making him one of the first male students after Vassar became co‑ed. But unlike Nancy, he didn’t finish. After two years, he left to attend the Culinary Institute of America to train as a chef.
Even though their college paths were different, their relationship stayed strong. They continued living together in New York, building a young life side by side as they started their adult journeys.
Inside Nancy Putkoski and Anthony Bourdain’s Marriage
Nancy and Anthony married in 1985 after almost ten years of dating. They moved into a rent‑controlled apartment in Manhattan and began what Bourdain later called a “quiet domestic life.”
In those years before his fame, their evenings were simple. They ordered take‑out, watched The Simpsons, and spent time together like any ordinary couple. Life was steady and private.
Bourdain later described their younger years as wild and adventurous at times, like characters from a movie. He even called them “partners in crime” for some of the risky things they did together in their youth.
Why Nancy Putkoski Stayed Away from the Spotlight
From the very beginning, Nancy Putkoski never liked attention. She didn’t want to be a celebrity wife, and she didn’t feel comfortable in front of cameras.
When she joined Anthony for a filming trip to Portugal, she found the experience unpleasant and awkward. She didn’t enjoy being part of his shows or standing in the background of his TV life.
As Anthony’s career began to grow, Nancy stayed mostly in New York. She preferred a peaceful and private life rather than the hectic world of television and travel. This difference between them slowly grew larger over time.
What Led to Nancy Putkoski and Anthony Bourdain’s Divorce
Anthony Bourdain’s first book, Kitchen Confidential, became a surprise hit in 2000. With its success came travel, interviews, and months away from home. For Nancy, who hated the spotlight, this new lifestyle was exhausting and lonely.
Bourdain said television “opened up his world,” but for Nancy, it felt like a threat to the life they had built. She wanted the man she had known since high school, not the TV star always on the road.
By 2005, after 20 years of marriage, the gap between them was too wide. They divorced quietly, ending a relationship that had begun with teenage love and lasted through decades of change.
What Happened to Nancy Putkoski After the Divorce?
After the divorce in 2005, Nancy Putkoski quietly stepped away from the public. While Anthony Bourdain became more visible around the world, Nancy went in the opposite direction. She chose peace over publicity.
She didn’t give any interviews or public statements. She also didn’t show up on TV or social media. In fact, many people say it was like she completely disappeared. But it wasn’t strange for her — Nancy had always preferred a private life, even during her marriage.
Most reports suggest that she stayed in New York, living a quiet and simple life. No photos, no events, no spotlight. Just the peaceful, hidden life she always wanted.
How Did the Divorce Affect Anthony Bourdain?
Anthony Bourdain spoke openly about how hard the divorce was for him. He once said that losing Nancy felt like a deep wound that never fully healed. He called it one of the saddest chapters of his life.
After the divorce, he took a trip to the Caribbean. He admitted later that he was drinking too much, taking risks, and didn’t really care what happened to him. He said he was acting in a “reckless” way, even driving around in dangerous conditions.
It was clear that losing Nancy Putkoski wasn’t just a breakup — it hit him deeply. She had been part of his life since he was a teenager, and letting go of that was painful, even as his fame grew.
Did Nancy Putkoski Ever Remarry or Have Children?
Nancy never remarried — at least not publicly. There is no known relationship or second marriage linked to her name. It seems she stayed single, or simply kept her personal life very private.
During her 20-year marriage with Bourdain, the couple never had any children. Anthony once said he didn’t want to become a father at that time, as he didn’t feel ready or capable.
After the divorce, Nancy Putkoski was already 50, so it’s unlikely she had children later. Everything we know today still points to a life lived quietly and alone, far from the noise of fame or family headlines.
Nancy Putkoski’s Net Worth and Career Today
Nancy Putkoski has never shared what she does for work. She hasn’t talked about her career, and no job history has been confirmed in public. Still, some sources say she had a deep interest in art and music.
Because she’s so private, it’s hard to guess her income. However, it’s believed that she may have received a small divorce settlement when she and Anthony separated in 2005. At that time, his career was just starting to grow, so it likely wasn’t a huge amount.
Today, her estimated net worth is somewhere between $100,000 and $500,000. But this is just a guess. Since she stays away from media, no one truly knows how she lives or what she earns now.
Why Nancy Putkoski Skipped Bourdain’s Funeral and Documentary
When Anthony Bourdain sadly passed away in 2018, many fans noticed something — Nancy Putkoski didn’t speak out. She gave no public reaction, and she didn’t appear in the 2021 documentary Roadrunner, which told the story of his life.
Her silence surprised some people, especially those who knew she had been such a big part of his early life. But for those who understand Nancy’s nature, her silence made sense. She had never been one to talk in front of cameras.
Even in such a heartbreaking moment, Nancy Putkoski chose to grieve in private, just like she had lived most of her life. She didn’t need to explain anything to the world — that was never her way.
Where Is Nancy Putkoski Now?
As of 2025, no one knows exactly where Nancy Putkoski is living or what she is doing. The last known reports placed her in New York, where she had lived for many years.
There are no photos of her, no interviews, and no sign of her on social media. She has truly stayed away from the public world. Many admire her for choosing peace and staying true to herself.
Her story shows that not everyone wants fame, even when it’s right in front of them. Nancy Putkoski simply chose a quiet life — and has stayed loyal to that decision ever since.
Final Thoughts
Nancy Putkoski may not be a famous name to everyone, but her story is powerful in its own quiet way. She loved Anthony Bourdain deeply, stood by him for over 20 years, and then walked away from the spotlight when their paths changed.
Even after their divorce, she never chased attention or tried to use Bourdain’s name for fame. She stayed silent, private, and peaceful — just like she always preferred.
Her life reminds us that quiet love and loyalty often go unseen, but they are just as real and meaningful. Nancy Putkoski didn’t follow the cameras. She followed her heart — and that’s something truly rare today.
