ON JULY 23, 2023, it was reported that Tafari Campbell died near Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts.
Campbell was widely recognized for his time as The White House’s sous chef during the Obama administration.
Who was Tafari Campbell?
Tafari Campbell was a former employee of President Barack Obama while he was in office.
Campbell was originally from Dumfries, Virginia, and specifically worked as Obama’s sous chef in The White House.
The late culinary star created the legendary White House honey ale beer using Michelle Obama’s infamous honey from the South Lawn garden.
After Obama left the office, Campbell went on to continue as their personal chef.
What happened to Tafari Campbell?
It was reported on July 24 that Tafari Campbell drowned while paddleboarding at Edgartown Great Pond near the Obamas’ summer home.
On Sunday, July 23, emergency services responded to a call claiming “a male paddleboarder who had gone into the water, appeared to briefly struggle to stay on the surface and then submerged and did not resurface.
Following the investigation, the male was reported to be Campbell.
In a statement issued by the Obamas, they said: “Tafari was a beloved part of our family. When we first met him, he was a talented sous chef at the White House — creative and passionate about food, and its ability to bring people together.
“In the years that followed, we got to know him as a warm, fun, extraordinarily kind person who made all of our lives a little brighter.
“That’s why, when we were getting ready to leave the White House, we asked Tafari to stay with us, and he generously agreed. He’s been part of our lives ever since, and our hearts are broken that he’s gone.”
Who is Tafari Campbell’s wife?
Tafari Campbell was married to his wife, Sherise.
Throughout their relationship, the pair welcomed two twin boys named Savin and Xavier.
Campbell’s wife, Sherise, shared a photo of him on her Instagram story following the confirmation of his death.
“Heartbroken,” she wrote with a broken heart emoji.