Former Talk Show Host Ricki Lake Once Opened up about Her Ex-Husband's Death by Suicide

Ricki Lake, the former TV host of her internationally broadcast talk show, once candidly talked about her ex-husband Christian Evans, his struggles with bipolar disorder, and his death by suicide.

Born in California in 1971, Christian Evans was a jewelry designer who began dating Ricki in September 2010. When the couple started their romance, the TV personality felt like "the luckiest girl."

"Christian didn't want to be labeled as bipolar."

CHRISTIAN EVANS AND RICKI LAKE'S RELATIONSHIP

During an interview with People shortly after Christian passed away on February 11, 2017, Ricki described her ex-partner as a fun person with an unmatching charisma.

Apart from that, he was trying to make the world a better place as he was working on a project to help homeless people in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, he also had "a lot of self-esteem issues" and other problems that the actress and host labeled as "demons."

Despite his struggles, the "Hairspray" actress understood him and fell in love with him so much that they even tied the knot in 2012. In their time together, they never fought nor had an argument, pointed out Ricki.

Apart from that, Christian would always show up for his wife's two children Milo and Owen and would be the "quiet force" who would want to spread love and goodness.

RICKI ALWAYS KNEW ABOUT CHRISTIAN'S CONDITION

From the beginning of their relationship, Christian was honest with Ricki about been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Sadly, his manic episodes drove her to get a divorce.

The first manic episode that Ricki witnessed happened in September 2014, and it was like seeing someone completely different from her husband.

At the height of his mania, recalled the TV personality, Christian thought that he could fly and cure cancer with his hands.

Ricki Lake's husband saw a therapist who advised him to cut off contact until he got better. For that reason, their divorce process began and Christian was hospitalized and then sent to a treatment facility.

IT WAS TOO MUCH FOR HIM TO STAND

The former talk show host pointed out that he didn't want to be medicated nor go to the facility, but it was what he had to do to get stable and to please Ricki. Even after legally parting ways in 2015, the pair kept their relationship until the fall of 2016.

On February 11, Ricki got a text message from Christian's sister telling her that he'd sent her a suicide note. At that point, and even before the confirmation, Ricki knew he had died.

Two days after the suicide note, the former jewelry designer was found dead in his car. Ricki confessed that she was talking about Christian's bipolar disorder as a way to spread the word about such a problem. Her goal was to help people get treatment as soon as possible. She added:

"Christian didn't want to be labeled as bipolar, but he admitted he was in the note he left. That was him finally owning it. That was him giving me permission to tell his story."

Finally, Ricki said that she never stopped loving her late husband and that she would honor him by living a happy life.

Thankfully, the TV personality managed to find love again in Jeff Scult, the founder of a clothing brand called "One Golden Thread."

RICKI LAKE'S NEW LOVE

Talking at the TV Critics Association Winter Press Tour in Pasadena, California, in February 2019, Ricki revealed that he was making her "really happy" and that they had been together for three and a half months already.

Earlier this year, Ricki made headlines again. This time, it was for her decision to shave her head as a result of years dealing with hair loss.

According to WebMD, hair loss in women is frequent, almost as much as it is in men. While most women start noticing it in their 50s or 60s, it can start happening at any age.

Ricki Lake's life was clearly affected by this issue, but she decided to vent her condition on social media so that both men and women suffering the same could embrace their truth.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text "help" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.