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"I Didn’t Think I’d Ever Be Happy": Ricki Lake On Finding Love Again After Her Ex-Husband's Tragic Death

Date April 19, 2019

Author By Deanna Walker

In early 2017, actress and talk show host Ricki Lake had everything going for her. That was until an unspeakable tragedy struck.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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On February 11 that year, Ricki’s ex-husband Christian Evans took his own life. He had been struggling with bipolar disorder. Ricki and Christian had divorced in 2015 after three years of marriage, but they remained on good terms and were close friends.

Although they were not together anymore at the time of Christian’s passing, his death hit Ricki very hard. In an interview with People, the host admitted she developed a severe depression and had serious doubts if she would ever find a new love.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Living and loving, again

Months went by, and therapy and friends’ support helped the host come to terms with losing the man she loved and tried to save.

Ricki eventually became comfortable with the thought that she doesn’t have to stay single for the rest of her life.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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She said in a new interview with People:

For a long time, I didn’t think I’d ever be happy again.

I was okay by myself. I wasn’t lonely, I wasn’t desperate. And I think you’ve got to love yourself and be okay on your own before you’re open [to a relationship].

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Ricki finally found peace, but she wasn’t looking for something new. But, as they say, the best things in life happen unexpectedly!

In late 2018, Ricki’s friend introduced her to clothing company owner Jeff Scult. The two hit it off right away, but didn’t rush into a romantic relationship.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Jeff knew Ricki needed time to adjust and waited patiently. It was worth the wait: now, the two of them are happy together! Ricki didn’t even think loving someone again was in store for her, but it did happen.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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She is happy with her new boyfriend, and she believes it’s something her late ex-husband would have wished for her. Ricki told People: “I feel Christian guiding me, and I believe he’s brought Jeffrey into my life.”