Ree Drummond’s career has expanded over the past ten years from her popular Food Network TV show to her Pioneer Woman blog and books.
However, the well-known chef and married mother of four, who frequently makes appearances on programs like The Today Show and The View, has recently experienced grave personal trauma.
See what is known about her older brother Michael Smith’s tragic passing below.
On October 30, 2021, Michael Drummond, age 54, passed away.
Although the reason for his passing was never revealed, a close friend of Michael’s named Dan Dalton did say in a social media eulogy that Michael “gone fast and did not suffer”.
Dan was the first person to announce Mike’s passing on social media. However, on November 2, Betsy Drummond, Ree Drummond’s sister, also shared the information via an Instagram post.
A day after her brother’s passing, the Food Network celebrity posted on Facebook to express her sorrow.
The cookbook author posted about Mike’s passing on social media after he passed away.
On the Wednesday following his passing, Ree wrote, “Michael Smith, you were everything”.
“It’s impossible to sum up, the life of someone as flawless as my brother Michael, so I’m not going to attempt,” she concluded. “I’m so appreciative for the nearly 50 years’ worth of photos and memories. He was my first friend and buddy, being 17 months older than me. “.
The 54-year-old asked for prayers for his parents, who showed unwavering loyalty to Mike and will be the ones to feel this loss the most keenly.
Michael Smith, also referred to as Mike by his friends and family, was Ree Drummond of the Food Network fame. Ree and Mike were two of their parents’ four children, who were raised in Bartlesville.
Michael had special needs and was a well-known personality in his hometown of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, where he was particularly interested in the work of local first responders.
The Washington County Emergency Management Agency paid tribute to him after his passing, calling him a “legend and icon” who “would be profoundly lost and always remembered.”
The Bartlesville Professional Firefighters Union also paid tribute to Michael, calling him “one of a kind” and confessing, “We are going to miss our friend Michael Smith”.
Michael was also well-known to his sister Ree’s following, having been on her Food Network show, The Pioneer Woman, and being frequently mentioned in her blog postings.
Following Mike’s death, the two siblings’ younger sister Betsy also shared a message on social media.
“This past weekend, we lost Michael, my beautiful and amazing brother,” she posted on Instagram. “He was one-of-a-kind, and he will be missed by many individuals who adored him. I’m grateful for his life, the connections he established, and his loving, joyful, and self-sufficient character. Mikey, I will always love you”.
