Fiona Tomarchio
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The heartfelt way Anthony Bourdain’s daughter paid tribute to her dad

Just days after the tragic news celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain was found dead in his French hotel room on June 8, his 11-year-old daughter has paid tribute to her 61-year-old dad in a small but touching way.

Her mother and Anthony’s estranged wife, Ottavia Busia-Bourdain, shared a photo of Ariane on stage performing at a concert.

In a subtle nod to her beloved father, the young girl’s outfit was in tribute of her dad.

“Our little girl had her concert today. She was amazing. So strong and brave,” Ottavia wrote on Instagram.

“She wore the boots you bought her.”

The 40-year-old, who separated from Anthony in 2016 after nine years of marriage – the former couple’s divorce was never finalised – added: “I hope you are having a good trip, wherever you are.”

A post shared by ottavia busia-bourdain (@ottaviabourdain) on Jun 10, 2018 at 9:40pm PDT

Anthony, who did not become a dad until he was 50, had previously spoken about how important his daughter was to him and the newfound role of fatherhood.

Writing in his book Appetites: A Cookbook, he shared, “I became a father at fifty years of age. That’s late, I know. But for me, it was just right.”

The celebrity chef and TV star added, “At no point previously had I been old enough, settled enough, or mature enough for this, the biggest and most important of jobs: the love and care of another human being.”

A post shared by ottavia busia-bourdain (@ottaviabourdain) on Sep 23, 2016 at 6:52pm PDT

The Parts Unknown host said that from the moment Ariane was born, he “began making some major changes” to his life.

“I was no longer the star of my own movie – or any movie. From that point on, it was all about the girl. Fatherhood has been an enormous relief, as I am now genetically, instinctually compelled to care more about someone other than myself.”

The dad-of-one added, “I like being a father. No, I love being a father. Everything about it.”

If you are troubled by this article, experiencing a personal crisis or thinking about suicide, you can call Lifeline 131 114 or beyondblue 1300 224 636 or visit lifeline.org.au or beyondblue.org.au.

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author, celebrity, daughter, Chef, Tribute, Anthony Bourdain, Celebrity chef, fatherhood, TV host