Keisha Nash Whitaker, the ex-wife of actor Forest Whitaker, has died at the age of 51, following a battle with anorexia.
The former couple’s daughter True Whitaker, 25, confirmed the tragic news on her Instagram account Thursday, calling her ‘the most beautiful woman in the world’ in a heartbreaking post, but did not elaborate on the cause of death.
A source tells DailyMail.com that Nash-Whitaker died earlier this week after being in and out of hospital for the past few months with intestinal problems, following a years-long battle with anorexia.
‘Keisha battled anorexia for years,’ says a source. Forrest stayed by her side during those difficult times, but the following year he filed for divorce in 2015.
Whitaker, 62, and Nash-Whitaker, were married in 1996 and share two daughters, Sonnet, 27 and True, 25.
Keisha Nash Whitaker, the ex-wife of actor Forest Whitaker, has died at the age of 51, following a battle with anorexia
The former couple’s daughter True Whitaker, 25, confirmed the tragic news on her Instagram account
Whitaker pictured at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in 2014
‘They remained friends and their divorce was amicable, but because Whitaker said his wife was, ‘kind, funny bright and out – going, as well as a good mother to their children, there was no need to not remain friendly.’
Meanwhile, True’s emotional post read: ‘Goodbye mommy. I love you 4ever and beyond,’ True posted to her account over a photo of her mother. ‘The most beautiful woman in the world… thank you for teaching me every single thing I know. I’ll see you in my dreams and I’ll feel you in my heart.’
Whitaker’s wife sparked concern back in 2014 after she was seen displaying her thin figure while at the 2014 Film Independent Spirit Awards with her husband.
According to RadarOnline.com, Keisha was estimated at the time to have lost around 35lbs (two and a half stone) over the last few years.
And such extreme weight loss at her age could lead to significant health problems, according to The Hampton’s Diet author Dr. Fred Pescatore.
Dr Pescatore, who had not treated Keisha, told Radar: ‘She runs the risk of premature ageing of her heart and bones.
‘Most importantly, going up and down like this wreaks havoc on the metabolism and makes it increasingly difficult to continue to stay thin without more and more effort. Possibly to the point of starvation and pills.’
In addition to her career as a model and actress, Keisha was an entrepreneur with her own children’s clothing line, and a cosmetic’s line called Kissable Couture. ‘In the last year Keisha seemed to become more and more frail,” says the source.
True also shared this photo of her mother to her Stories
Whitaker’s wife sparked concern back in 2014 after she was seen displaying her thin figure while at the 2014 Film Independent Spirit Awards with her husband
The former couple with their daughters at his Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in 2007
‘She didn’t venture out as much as she used to, and spent a lot of time in the hospital. She hired a driver to transport her when she visited friends or ventured out.
‘Forrest continued to have a great deal of respect for Keisha following their divorce in 2021,’ says the source. ‘And he’s taking her death really hard.’
DailyMail.com has contacted a representative for Whitaker for comment.
Keisha was married to Forest for 20 years and they share two daughters together – True and Sonnet. She also has daughter Autumn from a previous relationship and he has son Ocean from another relationship.
They wed in 1996 in Jamaica before he ultimately filed for divorce in 2018, citing irreconcilable differences.
Whitaker pictured at the opening of the new Badgley Mischka flagship store in Los Angeles back in 2018
Forest and Keisha pictured at the 2007 Orange British Academy Film Awards
The couple met in 1994 on the set of the film Blown Away.
Speaking of her husband, she previously told Ebony: ‘I had seen him in ‘A Rage in Harlem,’ she said, according to Essence.
‘Right away, I thought Forest had a gentle soul and a nice spirit.’
According to her IMDb, Keisha was born on March 8, 1972 in Boston, Massachusetts.
Keisha was an actress, producer, and former model. She appeared in the 2004 film Proud and also served as an executive producer on the 2008 movie Kassim the Dream.
She also entered the beauty industry with her luxury cosmetics line, Kissable Couture.
The former couple pictured in 2007
Whitaker and his then-wife at his Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony
While promoting her line back in 2008, she told O, The Oprah Magazine of launching a business: ‘I’ve always been very ambitious. When my kids were younger, I tried to start a clothing line for children.’
‘But you have to be really committed to a new business, and at that time I was more focused on being a mother. Now, with Forest’s success and my kids being older, I can set and achieve higher goals.’
One of the shades was named after her then-husband: ‘I wanted to call it something everyone can relate to. Each shade is named after a man who gave someone I know her first kiss. I called one shade Forest, because I was never really kissed until I met him.’
While promoting her line back in 2007, she told Women’s Wear Daily: ‘Before and after modeling, beauty was all around me, and it became part of who I am.
‘Although lipstick is making a comeback, so many people rely on lip gloss because it’s so effortless.’