Jill Zarin, who was a main cast member on seasons one through four of “The Real Housewives of New York City,” announced on Tuesday, August 11, that her mother, Gloria Kamen, has passed away.
Zarin shared the devastating news on Instagram, revealing that her mother had died at the age of 91. She did not disclose a cause of death. However, she had shared in an Instagram post in June that her mother had been “diagnosed with a very, very rare cancer.” The former reality star also shared heartfelt photos of her mother surrounded by family, along with several throwback snapshots.
RHONY Alum Jill Zarin Announces the Passing of Her Mother, Gloria Kamen
Former RHONY star Jill Zarin is mourning the heartbreaking loss of her beloved mother, Gloria, who died on August 11 at the age of 91. In a post announcing the news, Zarin lovingly described her mother as “the most important person in my life.”
“My mom, Gloria, passed away this morning at 91. She was my best friend, my mentor, and the most important person in my life. For 68 years she was the heart of our family—married to my dad, devoted to everything she believed in, and a relentless truth-teller in a world that needed her honesty,” she began her post.
“She was everyone’s therapist, everyone’s voice of reason. Our book “Secrets of a Jewish Mother,” shared our life stories and the wisdom that made her unforgettable. She was the real OG housewife who raised incredible women and touched the lives of millions with her counsel and kindness.”
Zarin shared that her mother was especially close to all of her grandchildren, including Zarin’s daughter, Allyson Shapiro, “her first great grandchild, Abby who she absolutely treasured.”
“She will be deeply missed and never ever forgotten. Thank you mommy for everything you did for me and giving me the most beautiful family. You picked the best father I could ever ask for and you were always right about everything even if it took me a while to see it. ❤️,” she ended her post.
Zarin Shared a Health Update About Her Mom in June Regarding Her Cancer Diagnosis
It was just in June that Zarin shared a health update with her Instagram followers that appeared to suggest Gloria was on the road to recovery following her cancer diagnosis. Using the hashtags #cordoma and #cordomasarcoma, it appeared that her mother was diagnosed with Chordoma, “a rare malignant (cancerous) bone tumor that forms in your spine or skull base,” according to Cleveland Clinic.
In her post, she shared that after doctors were able to remove the cancer, her mother was doing “fine,” but did face a few setbacks during her health journey.
“So mom is really medically in great shape,” she shared of her 91-year-old mom. However, Zarin said that Gloria experienced a great amount of pain with her teeth, “but that has nothing to do with the cancer,” she added.
Zarin also shared that she would urge her mother to get out of bed because she was okay to do so, and saw a “big breakthrough” when Gloria finally got into a wheelchair and was able to have lunch with her daughter.
“So many of you ask me everyday how mom@is so I wanted to give you an update. Better! We hit a big milestone yesterday and hope it’s the beginning of a new chapter. She is 91 with an incredible will to live and family who loves her so much,” she wrote.
“The aides and support staff have been incredible. It definitely takes a village! Shoutout to Nurse Rita to the Rescue who everyday got not only my mother but my whole family thru the worst time of our lives. We are eternally grateful.🥲 #cordoma #cordomasarcoma #cancerrecovery.”
