Paulina Porizkova applauded by fans for sharing her grief in wake of Ric Ocasek's death
Paulina Porizkova is being praised by fans after sharing a heartfelt Instagram post detailing her grief over the death of estranged husband Ric Ocasek, who was 75.
On Tuesday, Porizkova shared an image of herself on Instagram, along with a poignant message.
"I have never experienced this sort of grief. When my beloved grandma died, all I felt was a gentle sort of sorrow. She was old. She was senile. She couldn’t recognize anyone and death was freeing her from a broken body," Porizkova wrote.
"But the unexpectedness, the unfairness and unpreparedness of Ric’s death suddenly rendered grief a whole new beast. It hijacks your body and rides in you. You’ve become a physical vehicle for an emotional doppelgänger," she added.
"I’m learning that to understand grief - you must have experienced it. It’s a costly lesson," Porizkova wrote. "And the price to pay for living on."
In September, the Cars frontman was found dead in his New York City apartment by Porizkova. According to the New York City medical examiner’s office, Ocasek died from hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The medical examiner went on to say that pulmonary emphysema was also a contributing factor to the artist's death, adding that while he was recovering from surgery prior to his death, it was natural.
Thousands of fans offered their support to the model as she grieves the loss of Ocasek, including those who have lost someone of their own.
“I get it. You said that so well. Widow for 9 months still hurting,” one person shared. “Love to you.”
“This is so encouraging,” another commented. “I lost my son [12 years ago, every day] is hell.”
“Grief has given me many opportunities to grow my empathy for others. I hear and see you, Paulina. Wishing you kindness towards yourself and the patience to slog through grief-warped time,” another person wrote.
“I feel your pain having lost my soul mate 5 years ago the 13th... A part of me died that day. I still struggle some and have my moments after 5 years. You are stronger than you think. It's just something you learn to live with but never get over. I'm so sorry you're going through this,” one commented.
“Grief hurts in ways that you did not think existed. Reading your testament of grief makes me feel your gut wrenching hurt. No words except I understand and I am sorry,” one person shared.
However, one commenter was confused by Porizkova’s heartbreaking post.
"Why were you divorcing him then? I don't get it, you are grieving but you were wanting to split up, makes no sense to me," one person wrote. "I've always thought you were the epitome of natural beauty and loved your personality. If you still loved him this much, you were together so long, why break up?"
“She was divorcing him. He cut her out of his will from what I’ve read,” the commenter added.
Before Ocasek's death, the Cars frontman prepared a will that stated Porizkova, 54, should not receive any of his belongings or money. According to the will, obtained by Page Six, the former model had "abandoned" him.
“I have made no provision for my wife Paulina Porizkova (‘Paulina’) as we are in the process of divorcing,” Ocasek wrote in the will. “Even if I should die before our divorce is final… Paulina is not entitled to any elective share… because she has abandoned me."
Porizkova and Ocasek, who first met while filming the music video for the Cars' song "Drive" in 1984, had been separated for three years but were still living together at the time of Ocasek's death.
Porizkova responded to the social media user’s harsh message.
"I’m sorry if your concept of love only fits that tiny little box," she wrote.
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