Gemma Collins has shared that her grief following the death of her mother, Joan, is arriving in waves. The former TOWIE star, 45, announced on Instagram on Wednesday evening that her mother had passed away at the age of 70, approximately one month after being hospitalized with pneumonia.
Collins posted a photo on Friday of a shrine dedicated to her mother, adorned with flowers, lit candles, and photographs. She expressed her gratitude for the outpouring of support, stating, "Thank you from the bottom of my heart for every message, every prayer, every kind word. I’m reading them all and getting back to everyone slowly. Please bear with me. Some moments I feel okay, and then it comes in waves."
She also noted a recurring symbol of comfort: "One beautiful thing keeps happening. A butterfly has been with me constantly, appearing wherever I go. It brings me a sense of peace, and in my heart I truly feel it’s my mum letting me know she’s close, watching over me, and reminding me that love never really leaves us."
In her tribute, Collins wrote, "My heart is shattered into a million pieces. Today our beautiful mum passed away peacefully surrounded by LOVE. Mum, Today, every piece of my heart left with you."
She reflected on her mother's influence, saying, "You gave me life, you gave me strength, and you gave me memories that I will carry for every day I have left. The house will never sound the same without you. Your voice, your smile, your little ways, they are woven into every corner of my life. I will miss you more than I could ever put into words."
Collins expressed hopes for her mother's peace, "I hope you are finally free from pain. I hope you can walk again, laugh again, and feel light. I hope you are surrounded by peace and by everyone who has gone before you, watching over us with love."
Joan Collins had battled pneumonia twice in the six months prior to her death. She was hospitalized last month, prompting Gemma to share a message of support for her mother at the time. The cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.
Joan, a former hairdresser, was a familiar face to fans of TOWIE and made several guest appearances on the show. She also featured in an episode of Gemma Collins's show "Who Do You Think You Are?" in 2024, which explored their family history. The episode revealed that Joan's biological mother had been compelled to give her up for adoption due to mental health issues, a fact that had been misunderstood for much of Joan's life.