Rachel Brosnahan is marking the five-year anniversary of aunt Kate Spade’s death with a touching tribute.
The “Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” star, 32, posted a throwback photo with the late fashion designer on Instagram Monday, along with a lengthy caption sharing a special memory of her aunt, who died by suicide at the age of 55 in 2018.
“Can’t believe it’s been 5 years,” Brosnahan began.
“I’ve been thinking about Katy a lot lately because 10 years ago, when I was making my Broadway debut, she let me crash in their extra bedroom while I figured out my living situation.”
The actress continued, “She included me in family dinners every night while we were in rehearsals and would keep extra food for me in the fridge for when I came home from tech and previews. She would always ask about the play and came with bells on (and the most fabulous outfit) to our opening night. She told me she sobbed through the bows because she was proud.”
Brosnahan said she was “not alone” in experiencing her aunt’s warmth and empathy firsthand.
“That was the magic of Katy. She loved so hard she was often moved to tears, and laughter that moved through her entire body and joy that radiated out her pores. She spread stardust over everyone she came into contact with. I was lucky to be in her orbit,” she wrote.
“It’s strange to be in New York without her. Its strange to be back on stage without her. But also, she’s still here.”
Indeed, mere months before her death, Spade told Pvnew she was “beside herself” and “insanely proud” of her niece’s big win at the 2018 Golden Globes.
One year after her passing, the designer’s namesake brand — which she founded in the ’90s and exited in 2007 — reissued her iconic shopper bag and Brosnahan was became the face of her other label, Frances Valentine, which is named after Spade’s daughter.
“I think when you lose someone you love very, very much, you spend a lot of time trying to think about how to keep their spirit alive,” the actress said on the “Today” show in 2019.
“I think in Katy’s case, there is so much of her left behind, and this was an opportunity for us to celebrate her life and her legacy.”
