Remembering Michael Duarte’s Life and Legacy

A GoFundMe page set up by Duarte’s family revealed that he is survived by his wife Jessica and their six-year-old daughter, Oakley. The page noted, “This heartbreak came without warning, leaving Jessica to incur the expense of bringing him back home to California and covering funeral expenses. During this time, and in the months/years ahead, we want to make sure that Jessica and Oakley are taken care of as Michael would have wanted them to be. Your support would bring comfort, stability, and a reminder that they are not carrying this weight alone.”

Duarte’s passion for food began at age 14, working under his uncle at a small Mexican restaurant in Calipatria, near the US-Mexico border. Over the years, he worked in various San Diego restaurants before quitting during the COVID-19 pandemic to focus on building his online following. After a period of rehabilitation due to a mental health crisis, Duarte returned to both restaurant work and social media, realizing how much joy creating content brought him.

“Over time, I began to see it wasn’t just a hobby – it could be a business, something bigger than myself,” he told People. Duarte’s enthusiasm, creativity, and dedication to sharing food with the world made a lasting impact on those who knew him and his millions of fans. He will be remembered for his generosity, his talent, and the love he shared with his family and community.