Former NBA head coach Stan Van Gundy recently shared the heartbreaking cause of his wife Kim’s unexpected passing nearly a year ago, revealing that she took her own life. The revelation came during an emotional interview on the “South Beach Sessions” podcast with sports media personality Dan Le Batard.
The Tragic Revelation
Kim Van Gundy died in August 2023 at the age of 61, leaving Stan devastated. “She took her own life,” Van Gundy disclosed. “I don’t care how long it goes. I can’t imagine that I’ll ever get over that. It was devastating.” This tragic loss has left an indelible mark on the former coach, who continues to grapple with the reality of her death.
in a powerful moment former NBA head coach Stan Van Gundy opens up about his wife passing away last year in August, and he reveals it was by suicide
“She took her own life, Dan… I’ll never… I don’t care how long it goes, I can’t imagine that I’ll ever get over that… I just… pic.twitter.com/gmHS990iiu
— SOUND (@itsavibe) May 26, 2024
A Lifetime Partnership
Stan and Kim Van Gundy were married for 35 years, having met in 1984 at Castleton State College in Vermont, where Stan was the head basketball coach and Kim was a student. Reflecting on their long partnership, Van Gundy expressed his disbelief at living without her. “I never, ever envisioned that I was going to live another day in my life without Kim; I never envisioned that,” he said.
Struggles with Mental Health
Van Gundy acknowledged that, while he was aware of Kim’s struggles, he never anticipated her taking such a drastic step. “Even now, it’s been eight months, and I struggle to come to grips with the fact that I’m never going to see her again,” he shared. Despite regularly attending therapy, Van Gundy finds it difficult to reconcile with the situation and her battle with mental illness.
“My wife reached a point of despair and hopelessness where her life and her life with me were not worth living anymore,” he lamented. He expressed a deep sense of personal failure, feeling that his primary responsibility was to take care of her and their family, a duty he believes he did not fulfill.
Moving Forward
In an effort to honor Kim’s memory, Van Gundy strives to live according to her values, which he describes as superior to his own. “Her values were better than mine. She taught me a lot. And I want to live her values and a life that she would be proud of,” he said. This commitment to her legacy serves as a guiding principle for him as he navigates life without her.
Seeking Help
Van Gundy’s candid discussion about his wife’s suicide underscores the importance of mental health awareness and support. For those struggling with similar issues, help is available through resources like the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which can be reached by dialing 988.
BREAKING: Stan Van Gundy revealed that his wife, Kim, who passed away in August, died by suicide.
“She took her own life, Dan,” Van Gundy said, pausing to find the right words. “I’ll never … I don’t care how long it goes, I can’t imagine that I’ll ever get over that … it was… pic.twitter.com/bU5ZcDHddm
— Courtside Buzz (@CourtsideBuzzX) May 25, 2024
The basketball community and beyond have expressed their support for Van Gundy during this difficult time, reflecting the profound impact both he and Kim had on those around them.
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