Sarah Jessica Parker has shared the heartbreaking news that her step-father has passed away from an ‘unexpected and rapid illness’ hours after she abruptly left a New York City gala to be by his side.
Fans were left worried about the Sex and the City star, 57, after news hit the web that she had exited the New York Ballet’s 10th Annual Fall Fashion Gala – where she was set to be honored – moments after she arrived due to a ‘devastating family situation.’
Now, she has revealed that her step-dad, Paul Griffin Forste, tragically died at age 76.
‘Our family is sad to announce that after an unexpected and rapid illness, Paul Giffin Forste passed away yesterday at age 76,’ the actress’ family said in a statement to Page Six.
Sarah Jessica Parker shared the heartbreaking news that her step-father (seen together in 2008) passed away from an ‘unexpected illness’ after she abruptly left a gala to be by his side
Fans were left worried about the star (seen on Tuesday), 57, after news hit the web that she had exited an event moments after arriving on Wednesday due to a ‘devastating family situation’
Now, she has revealed that her step-dad, Paul Griffin Forste (pictured in 2008), died at age 76. She said in a statement: ‘In his last moments he was surrounded with the love of his adored wife and kids’
‘In his last moments he was surrounded with the love and gratitude of his adored wife, Barbara, of 54 years, and children, including Sarah Jessica Parker.
‘Paul will be remembered with the spirit of loving kindness which was his faith, his special delight in his 13 grandchildren, and his sustained belief in making the world a more charitable, tolerant, and beautiful place for all.’
SJP’s mom, Barbara Parker, divorced from her father, Stephen Parker, when she was just three years old, and re-married Forste, who worked as a truck driver and account executive, soon after.
The 57-year-old actress was supposed to be recognized at the star-studded gala, thrown by the organization in which she serves as the vice chair of the Board of Directors, on Wednesday night at the David H. Koch Theater at the Lincoln Center in New York City.
An onlooker told Page Six that it was announced from the stage soon after it began that the Hocus Pocus alum had left due to a ‘sudden devastating family situation,’ but didn’t share any further details.
Parker was set to be honored for ‘her vision and leadership of the Fall Fashion Gala,’ in addition to a number of Fall Fashion Gala designers and choreographers.
Regardless of her absence, the exquisite event was attended by many other stars including Julia Fox and Solange Knowles – who made history after becoming just the first Black woman to score a ballet for the organization.
The gala comes one day after Parker attended the New York premiere of Hocus Pocus 2 with her husband, Matthew Broderick, and her twin daughters Tabitha and Marion, 13, for a rare appearance.
The family said Paul will be remembered for his ‘loving kindness’ and ‘belief in making the world a more beautiful place.’ Parker’s husband, Matthew Broderick, is seen this morning
SJP was supposed to be recognized at the the New York Ballet’s 10th Annual Fall Fashion Gala on Wednesday. Other guests, including Julia Fox and Solange Knowles, are seen at the event
SJP’s mom, Barbara Parker, divorced from her father, Stephen Parker, when she was three, and re-married truck driver Forste soon after. She is seen on Tuesday, one day before his death
The gala comes one day after Parker attended the New York premiere of Hocus Pocus 2 with her husband, Broderick, and her twin daughters Tabitha and Marion, 13, for a rare appearance
Broderick wore a grey suit, while the 13-year-olds, who have mostly stayed out of the spotlight, donned a silver, sparkly gown and a black dress for the evening
She is normally notoriously private about her family life, and the 13-year-olds have mostly stayed out of the spotlight, but she previously revealed that they’re big fans of the Halloween franchise, which is why they may have chosen to attended the event with their mother.
‘They started watching this movie, I’m going to say about three years ago,’ she told People earlier this year.
‘They were so excited to meet Bette [Midler] and Kathy [Najimy]. Loretta kept asking me, “But wait, are we going to meet them as [their characters] Winnie and Mary? Or are we going to meet them as Bette Midler and Kathy Najimy?”‘
One of the twins donned a silver, sparkly gown on the red carpet, while the other stunned in a black dress with puffy sleeves.
They posed alongside their mom, who wore a white and purple floral Kimono-style top with pink pants and matching heels, and their dad, who cut a dapper figure in a sharp grey suit.
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