Former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Lisa Rinna has opened up on her late father Frank Rinna’s “surreal” death.
The former reality star recalled how her father died in 2016 during Friday’s episode of Let’s Not Talk About the Husband, which she hosts with husband Harry Hamlin. When Rinna’s father was 94, his “quality of life had diminished,” to the point where he wanted to die by assisted suicide, she said.
“In Oregon, you’re permitted to check out when you want to check out,” Hamlin said on the podcast. Oregon was the first state to legalize the Death With Dignity Act, which allows terminally ill residents to take medication designed to end their life. “You can do that in Oregon if you follow the right guidelines and the protocols and talk to the right number of doctors.”
Rinna confirmed that “two doctors” signed off on her father’s “terminal illness,” noting that he had to wait about “three-to-six months” before doing assisted suicide.
“I never told this story,” she continued. “I had started the show, and I think it was just too painful at the time.”
She called her father’s death a “trippy, trippy thing,” explaining why it was “so surreal” for her.
“It didn’t feel like I was in my body,” Rinna said, recalling how her father died with her and her half-sister, Nancy, by his side. “The person that’s dying has to be able to pick up the juice, or whatever, to drink it themselves. You can’t administer it to somebody.”
Hamilton reiterated that Frank had to be able to take the pill himself, as this “had to be a willful act on [his] part.” Rinna also shared that the pills were supposed to come on a Tuesday, which ultimately didn’t happen.
“When they set their mind to this, they’re ready, but [the pills] didn’t come until Thursday, and my dad was so mad,” she added. “He was in pain, and he was really unhappy.”
She acknowledged her conflicting feelings during the situation, adding: “You want to support your loved ones. You want to support what they want to do, but you're going to watch your parents kill themselves.”
Once the pills arrived, Rinna said that she and her half-sister set up the room “very nicely,” with Frank Sinatra playing, since her father loved the singer’s music.
“Here’s the thing that nobody tells you and you don’t expect: it doesn’t happen right away,” she said about her father’s death. “If you think about sitting with somebody who’s passing and transitioning for 45 minutes…it’s so surreal.”
Along with Oregon, nine other states have passed laws for assisted suicide: California, Colorado, New Jersey, New Mexico, Hawaii, Montana Maine, Vermont, and Washington. Assisted suicide is also legal in Washington, D.C.
Rinna’s mouther Louis died in 2021 at age 93 after suffering a stroke.
“Lois DeAndrade Rinna. June 7, 1928 - November 15, 2021 5:05am,” Rinna wrote on Instagram at the time, alongside an old photo of her mother. Heaven Has a New Angel
Two years later, Rinna also revealed that she was leaving The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, after eight seasons.
“But I think we all knew it was time. Eight years of that kind of show…What more could I have done, besides generate more memes?” she told The Standard at the time, noting that she was encouraged to leave the show after the criticism she got from fans.
“I think the world itself has gotten so volatile that the response doesn’t match what we’re doing,” she added. “ I didn't want to live like that. I don’t think that’s healthy. The way the fan base reacts to the show now is not how it was when I first started. I mean, we were getting death threats. Some of the most horrible things I’ve ever seen in print in my life, and it’s a reality show! It’s a stupid show! I thought: ‘It’s time to go.’”
If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.
If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
