Kerry Simon Dead: ‘Iron Chef’ Winner And ‘Rock N’ Roll’ Chef Had Been Battling MSA
Kerry Simon, the star of Iron Chef who was referred to as the “Rock ‘N’ Roll Chef,” has died at the age of 60 following a 24-month battle with MSA.
Simon, who was based in Las Vegas, died on September 11, 2 years after he’d begun his fight with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), a degenerative neurological disorder that degenerates nerve cells in the brain. This affects the individual’s ability to move, balance, and their autonomic functions, such as blood pressure regulation and bladder control.
Because of his battle with this disease, in the last few weeks before he died, Kerry Simon was confined to a wheelchair, while he was also unable to talk because of the incurable disease.
Writing in the Las Vegas Sun, Simon’s close friend and the host of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, Robin Leach, confirmed that Simon died at Nathan Adelson Hospice in North Las Vegas on Friday morning.
He went on to add that Simon’s business partner, as well as two Tibetan monks, visited the hospice and said prayers at his bedside as he succumbed. Leech then took to Twitter to continue his tribute:
With a heavy heart & sadness sorry to report that chef Kerry Simon passed away early this morning at the hospice after his long MSA battle
— Robin Leach (@Robin_Leach) September 11, 2015
Two Tibetan monks sat & prayed with Kerry in the final moments. All so tragically sad but a happy release & relief from the agony of MSA
— Robin Leach (@Robin_Leach) September 11, 2015
Our thoughts & prayers are with his family, partners and closest friends as they seek strength from his amazing courage in brutal2 yr fight
— Robin Leach (@Robin_Leach) September 11, 2015
Thanku for all your msgs re Kerry Simon’s passing Yes he will be missed greatly but he’s got more customers than ever to now feed in heaven
— Robin Leach (@Robin_Leach) September 11, 2015
Kerry Simon, who had restaurants in Harrah’s, Palms Place, and at Carson Kitchen in Las Vegas, originally found fame after Ivana Trump, then-wife of Donald Trump, appointed him as the executive chef at the Plaza Hotel’s Edwardian Room.
This led Simon to be given the nickname “Rock N’ Roll Chef” by Rolling Stone, via Haute Living, while he also catered for numerous rock stars throughout his career.
Kerry Simon went on to appear on Iron Chef America in its second season on the Food Network, back in 2005. He also made numerous appearances on Hell’s Kitchen in 2010.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appetit)
