Shirley Ballas remembers her brother 21 years after his death
- Shirley Ballas marked 21 years since the passing of her brother, David Rich, who died by suicide in 2003 at age 44.
- Recognizing the impact of his death, she has become an outspoken advocate for mental health awareness and established The Ballas Foundation.
- In her tribute, Ballas reflected on her grief and the importance of mental health support, inspiring many with her commitment to raise awareness.
In December 2024, Shirley Ballas, head judge of Strictly Come Dancing and a prominent figure in the UK entertainment industry, shared a heartfelt tribute on social media commemorating the 21st anniversary of her brother David's passing. David Rich tragically took his own life in 2003 at the age of 44, following a long battle with depression. His death has profoundly affected Shirley and her family, prompting her to become a vocal advocate for mental health awareness. She has frequently discussed the impact of his loss, referring to it as "losing everything," which highlights the immense void left by his absence. To honor David's memory and to raise awareness around mental health issues, Shirley has actively participated in various initiatives. In the past year, she completed a Skyathlon challenge involving a zipline, a 700ft wing walk, and a 15,000ft skydive to raise funds for suicide prevention charities. This challenge not only reflects her commitment to addressing mental health challenges but also her desire to contribute positively to the conversation surrounding suicide and its impact on families. Shirley also established The Ballas Foundation with her son Mark, demonstrating her commitment to mental health advocacy. Throughout her journey, she has worked with numerous organizations, such as CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) and Suicide&Co, tirelessly promoting mental health awareness and support. Her efforts have been recognized and supported by several celebrities and former contestants from her show, who shared their love and admiration in response to her tribute. In her social media post, Shirley reminisced about the cherished memories she made with David over the years, expressing how she misses him more each day. She noted the striking resemblance between David's children and their late father, which serves as a reminder of his legacy. Shirley's poignant reminder of the importance of reaching out for help emphasizes the necessity of mental health support in a society where many individuals may struggle silently. Through her advocacy, she pledges to keep David's memory alive while continuing to fight for greater awareness and understanding of mental health issues.