Kelly Rizzo Reflects on Grief Journey Approaching Five Years After Bob Saget’s Death

As the fifth anniversary of comedian and actor Bob Saget’s sudden death draws near, his widow Kelly Rizzo opens up about her ongoing grief journey. Since her husband’s death in January 2022, Rizzo has been candid about her evolving relationship to loss and the realities of living life without him.

Kelly Rizzo, the widow of actor and comedian Bob Saget, is opening up about her experience with grief as the fifth anniversary of his death nears. Saget died of head trauma in January 2022; it was ruled accidental. Rizzo has been candid that healing isn’t linear and grief morphs over time, but she still honors his legacy through her family and media ventures.

In her recent public discussions and across her media platforms, Kelly Rizzo has been open about the realities of long-term loss of a spouse. As the fifth anniversary of Bob Saget’s death nears, Rizzo has stressed that the public’s expectations of grief often don’t match up with the personal experience.

Rizzo has seen society’s expectation for people to move on after a certain amount of time. She has, however, explained that her experience is about moving forward, not moving on. She writes about grief not as a problem to be solved, but as a process that shifts in form and intensity.

Her musings echo psychological concepts of prolonged grief, highlighting how the absence of a loved one can continue to shape everyday life long after the initial loss. Rizzo has said her family, friends, and fan community have been essential in helping her cope.

In addition to her personal loss, Rizzo has focused heavily on continuing Bob Saget’s legacy. Saget, most famous for his role as Danny Tanner on the hit sitcom Full House and as the original host of America’s Funniest Home Videos, was also a stand-up comedian known for his edgy, adult-oriented humor.

Rizzo has been telling stories about Saget’s life, his charity work, and his complicated personality on her podcast and at public speaking engagements. Sharing both the public and private sides of his life, she aims to give a full picture of the man behind the wholesome TV persona.

She’s also been involved in projects and conversations that reflect Saget’s passions, helping ensure his legacy in comedy and television is still enjoyed by new generations of viewers.

The comedian and actor died at age 65 on January 9, 2022. He was found unresponsive in his room at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, Orlando, Florida. He was in town the night before, doing a stand-up comedy show, and was scheduled to attend a charity event the next day.

The Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office conducted an investigation and released a report in March 2022. The official cause of death was determined to be accidental blunt head trauma. The medical examiner found no signs of foul play and said Saget probably tripped and fell backward, hitting the back of his head on a hard surface in his hotel room. Toxicology reports showed no fatal levels of drugs or alcohol in his system at the time of death.

While Rizzo has kept much of her daily life private, the tone of thankfulness and sadness in her public comments about Saget’s death has been consistent. “Grief is just love with no place to go,” Rizzo has written in various forms on her platforms, explaining her ongoing connection to her dead husband. She has often said she has been thankful for the outpouring of support from fans and fellow entertainers, and that sharing memories of Saget with others was a comfort.

Rizzo has also been careful to keep her public expressions of grief separate from any speculation about the circumstances of his death, deferring strictly to the official findings of the Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Kelly Rizzo’s open reflections are a high-profile window into the realities of prolonged grief. Rizzo talks about the non-linear nature of grief, making the conversation around long-term bereavement more common. She’s very open about how the loss of a spouse continues to affect her, and in doing so, she challenges the social taboo that says there’s an expiration date on grief, and offers comfort to others who have been similarly bereaved.

January 2027 marks the fifth anniversary of Bob Saget’s death. Rizzo will continue her media projects and public appearances, likely with the same kind of reflection on his life and legacy she’s offered to mark the milestone.