The cause of death of Keisha Nash Whitaker, Forest Whitaker's ex-wife, has been announced.
According to TMZ, the former model died on December 7 from alcohol-related liver disease. She was 51.
Keisha's death certificate, issued by LA County, states that she suffered from the disease for years.
The certificate also states that acute kidney failure, a symptom of anorexia, was another significant contributing factor to her death.
Keisha and her Oscar-winning ex-husband raised three daughters together: Autumn (32), Sonnet (27) and True (25). The former couple was married for 22 years.
Her youngest daughter confirmed the news on Instagram at the time, writing a heartfelt tribute: “Farewell mom. I love you forever and beyond. the most beautiful woman in the world… Thank you for teaching me everything I know. I will see you in my dreams and I will feel you in my heart.”
Keisha and Forest Whitaker raised three daughters together: Autumn (32), Sonnet (27) and True (25). The former couple was married for 22 years. Best Picture / BACKGRID The former model died on December 7th from alcohol-related liver disease. She was 51. Getty Images for Badgley Mischka
The Post has reached out to representatives for Whitaker and Nash Whitaker for comment.
“Keisha battled anorexia for years,” a source told the Chron. “And in 2014 she went to rehab in Chicago. Forest stayed by their side through these difficult times, however [soon after] He filed for divorce.”
Forest filed for divorce from Keisha in 2018, citing irreconcilable differences in his petition to the court.
The couple met in 1994 on the set of the film “Blown Away”, in which Keisha played Forest's romantic partner.
Keisha Whitaker and Forest Whitaker at Bacara Resort on January 5, 2014 in Goleta, California. Getty Images for Moet & Chandon
He proposed shortly afterwards and the couple married in Montego Bay, Jamaica, in 1996.
“He's very honest, sensitive and romantic,” Keisha told People in 1997. “He blew me away, not with material things, but rather with the way he expressed his feelings.”
Keisha was born in Boston and worked as a model, actress, film producer and entrepreneur.
She was once signed to Elite Model Management and Ford Models and was Tommy Hilfiger's first African-American model.