Tafari Campbell, Obama’s personal chef and an accomplished swimmer, tragically drowned during a paddleboarding excursion in Martha’s Vineyard.
His unexpected death at the age of 45 has sent out a wave of shock and sadness, which is more than just sadness. Given his well-documented prowess at swimming, the circumstances of his passing raise questions and underscore the unpredictability of life.
In his Instagram posts, Tafari was often seen swimming gracefully, which was a part of his ‘endurance’ training.
One video was even labeled with the hashtag #survivalskills, which makes his tragic death in the waters of Edgartown Great Pond, Massachusetts, all the more shocking.
Eyewitnesses last saw the beloved chef battling the water before disappearing below the surface around 7:46 p.m. The anonymous witness shared, “He was struggling to keep himself afloat before drowning, following which a joint agency search began, which ended with the discovery of Tafari’s body the next morning.”
Responding to the heartbreaking news, Barack and Michelle Obama expressed their sorrow and appreciation for Tafari.
© Getty ImagesThey shared: “Tafari was a beloved part of our family. When we first met him, he was a gifted chef at the White House – creative and passionate about food, and its ability to bring people together.
“In the years that followed, we came to know him as a warm, funny, extraordinarily kind man who made our lives a little brighter.”
© InstagramTafari, the former White House chef, has had an extraordinary culinary journey. From graduating from a culinary school in Virginia to owning a restaurant and eventually serving in two US presidential administrations, his life was a testimony to his love for cooking.
He became a favorite part of the White House for creating the signature Honey Ale beer using honey from Michelle Obama’s South Lawn Garden.
© GettyHis wife Sherris posted a tribute to him on Instagram, saying: “My heart is broken.” Employees of the Edgartown Meat and Fish Market also remember Tafari as a ‘wonderful person’.
A staffer shared with the Daily Mail: “He was nice and calm, it’s terrible to hear this happened to him. When he came in he used to talk to us about what he was making.”