Fashion Designer Kate Spade Regrettably Took Her Own Life Over Marriage Problems

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Fashion Designer Kate Spade Regrettably Took Her Own Life Over Marriage Problems

June 6. 2018

Kate Spade

Yesterday, 55-year-old fashion designer, Kate Spade, was found dead in her Park Avenue apartment in New York, from an apparent suicide. Spade’s housekeeper found her unresponsive, hanging from scarf on a doorknob in the designer’s bedroom. The housekeeper sought help, but Spade was pronounced dead at the scene. She leaves behind a 13-year-old daughter, Frances Beatrix Spade, and husband, Andy Spade, who is also a fashion designer.

The couple started the Kate Spade line in 1993. The couple wed in 1994. In 1999 they sold a 56% stake of the company to Neiman Marcus. In 2006, the remaining shares were sold to the company. In 2006 Neiman Marcus sold the Kate Spade label to Liz Claiborne Inc for $124,000,000. In 2014 Liz Clairborne Inc (renamed Fifth and Pacific). In 2017 Fifth and Pacific sold the Kate Spade label for $2.4 billion dollars to the company Coach, which was renamed Tapestry.

Marital troubles and the difficulties her new fashion line, Frances Valentine, has been experiencing in getting off the ground since its 2015 launch, is thought to be the reason Spade sadly took her life. Reports indicate the Spades were on the verge of divorce and were living separately.

Kate Spade and husband Andy Spade

Spade’s suicide note to her daughter implied her death was due to the marital separation (“This has nothing to do with you. Don’t feel guilty. Ask your dad!”). Spade left his wife and she could not handle it. Too much was happening at once with the marital woes and business struggles.

It’s very sad that Spade took her life. She accomplished a lot through her work via designs that made women happy. She left behind a lovely daughter who needs her. She also had millions in the bank. However, when a person becomes very depressed they can lose sight of all they have going for themselves. An intelligent, creative woman is gone. The world has not been made better for it.

I am sorry she didn’t realize her life could have gone on longer and she could be happy again. There was so much more she could have done. It’s a shame she didn’t see it through all the pain. Doing charity work often lifts people’s spirits. It is a rewarding feeling helping others. It will take your mind off your own problems and can make you realize how much more you can do in life. Sometimes a change of scenery can also help. As can finding a new job. However, suicide is never the answer.

Side Bar: On Monday I wrote about bipolar singer Mariah Carey and the risk of her committing suicide. The next day bipolar Spade, a mother who was living in a similar situation to Carey with relationship and career problems, took her life. The people in Carey's life need to get her the help she needs to prevent a similar situation. And to anyone in a similar situation, please do not take your life.