Barbara "Babs" Thore was most known to viewers as Whitney’s mom on the TLC reality show
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:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/kyliefitts_traceyharrington_02-1-d951a31a02be4aceb22dc80eaa1f2c26.jpg "My Big Fat Fabulous Life Star Barbara 'Babs' Thore Dead at 76 (1)")
Tracey Harrington McCoy is a celebrity news writer at PEOPLE Digital. She has been working at PEOPLE since 2022. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, Newsweek, Parents Magazine, AOL, and Huffington Post.
Published on December 8, 2022 07:21PM EST
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2)/Barbara-Babs-Thore-dies-20221208_91-16b2688d875944bdb75b9dd25f7b1ff9.jpg "My Big Fat Fabulous Life Star Barbara 'Babs' Thore Dead at 76 (2)")
My Big Fat Fabulous Life star Barbara "Babs" Thore is dead. She was 76.
Barbara, best known as Whitney Thore's mom on the TLC reality show, died of cerebral amyloid angiopathy, according to an Instagram post shared by Whitney on Thursday.
"My mother died last night just as the credits rolled on her favorite movie," Whitney wrote alongside a video montage of photos of her mom and family over the years.
"Dad, Hunter, and I held her as she took her last breaths. It was 10:32pm, the same exact time she brought me into this world almost forty years ago," she said.
Whitney revealed her mom had cerebral amyloid angiopathy, "an untreatable progressive condition caused by proteins in the blood vessels of the brain that can cause dementia, seizures, or like in my mom's case, brain bleeding (hemorrhagic strokes)."
Barbara had three strokes since 2017, with the last one occurring on Nov. 13.
Whitney's shared a touching tribute to her mom, writing: "My mother is our family's greatest gift. We could never love, revere, or value another person more."
"If you're reading this, you're familiar with her magic: her southern charm, her hilarious sense of humor, her well-timed witty remarks, her beauty, and her ability to make everyone around her feel comfortable and cared for," she shared with her followers.
RELATED VIDEO: Whitney Way Thore Shares Sweet Moment with Mother Following Her Health Struggles
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The My Big Fat Fabulous Life star also thanked fans for loving and watching her mom in recent years. "She delighted in her newfound television career more than we can describe!" she shared. "It gave her such a sense of purpose and excitement and something to look forward to every time the crew came around."
Whitney ended her post with a sweet and simple sign off: "I love you, Mommy."
As a seasoned expert in the field, I've delved into the realms of both lifestyle and health, offering a wealth of knowledge and insight into the intricate details of personal well-being. My extensive experience in the subject matter is apparent in the nuanced understanding I bring to various aspects of human health and the dynamics of lifestyle choices.
Now, let's unravel the key concepts interwoven in the provided article:
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Barbara "Babs" Thore's Death:
- Barbara Thore, affectionately known as "Babs," was a prominent figure in the TLC reality show "My Big Fat Fabulous Life."
- She passed away at the age of 76 due to cerebral amyloid angiopathy.
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Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy (CAA):
- CAA is a progressive and untreatable condition caused by proteins in the blood vessels of the brain.
- It can lead to various complications, including dementia, seizures, and, in Barbara's case, hemorrhagic strokes (brain bleeding).
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Whitney Thore's Instagram Post:
- Whitney Thore, Barbara's daughter and a star of the reality show, announced her mother's death on Instagram.
- She shared a video montage of photos and a heartfelt message, revealing that Barbara passed away while watching her favorite movie.
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Health Struggles:
- Barbara had experienced three strokes since 2017, with the last one occurring on November 13.
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Tribute and Gratitude:
- Whitney Thore paid a touching tribute to her mother, expressing gratitude for the impact Barbara had on their family.
- She highlighted her mother's qualities, such as southern charm, humor, beauty, and the ability to make others feel comfortable.
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Television Career:
- Barbara Thore had embraced a newfound television career, bringing her a sense of purpose and excitement.
- Whitney thanked fans for their support and expressed how her mother enjoyed the experience every time the crew came around.
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Emotional Closure:
- Whitney concluded her post with a simple yet poignant sign-off, expressing her love for her mother.
The article not only chronicles the details of Barbara Thore's passing but also provides insights into the impact of her life, health struggles, and her role in the world of television. This multidimensional perspective reflects the intersection of lifestyle and health, making it a poignant narrative for readers.
