How Did Joey Essex Mum Die

Right, grab a cuppa, get comfy. We need to talk about Joey Essex, the man, the myth, the Reem. Specifically, we need to talk about the one thing he almost never talks about: his mum.

You’ve seen him on The Only Way is Essex, probably. He’s all about the banter and the catchphrases. But behind that perfectly gelled quiff is a story that’s honestly heartbreaking.

So, how did Joey Essex’s mum die? It’s a question fans have asked for years. And the answer is as tragic as it is simple: she took her own life.

The Day Everything Changed

Her name was Linda, and she was just 47 years old. Joey was only ten when it happened. Can you imagine being ten and losing your mum like that?

It was in 2001, a completely normal day that turned into a nightmare. Joey came home from school, and she was gone. He found her.

That detail—finding her—is the part that makes your stomach drop. It’s the kind of trauma that doesn’t just fade away, no matter how many Reem jokes you crack.

The Silent Struggle Nobody Saw

Here’s the kicker: Linda had been battling depression for years. But back then? No one talked about it. It was the elephant in every room.

She’d been in and out of hospital, getting treatment. But the stigma around mental health was brutal. You just got on with it, right? Wrong. So, so wrong.

Joey has said his dad Frankie was a rock, but that’s a heavy weight for a kid. He had to grow up fast. Like, superhero-fast.

Why Joey Keeps It Close to the Chest

You might think, “Hey, he’s a reality star, he owes us the details!” Nope. He’s been incredibly protective of this story, and honestly, good on him.

Joey Essex stuns viewers with bravery as he relives mum’s suicide

He’s said in interviews that he felt shame for a long time. Shame that he didn’t “fix” her. Shame that people would judge. It’s a messed-up thing to carry.

But over the years, he’s opened up little by little. He even did a documentary called Joey Essex: Grief and Me. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s gut-wrenching.

The Moment That Broke the Ice

One of the most powerful things he shared? That he used to blame himself. He thought if he’d been a better son, she’d have stayed. Break. My. Heart.

Obviously, that’s not how depression works. But tell that to a ten-year-old boy. He didn’t have the tools to understand it.

Now, he uses his platform to talk about mental health. He’s basically saying, “It’s okay to not be okay, and it’s okay to ask for help.” It’s a massive shift from the old stigma.

A Little Bit of Legacy

Here’s the thing that gets me: Joey says his mum was hilarious. She was the life of the party. She loved a laugh. Sound like anyone you know?

That energy he has on TOWIE or I’m a Celebrity? That’s her. He’s basically channelling his mum every time he says something daft.

Joey Essex says his 'heart secretly aches every day' for mum 20yrs

He’s also got her name tattooed on his chest. And he’s talked about how she’d be so mortified by his fame. “She’d be like, ‘Joseph, what are you doing?’” He laughs about it now.

The Grief That Never Really Ends

Grief is weird, right? It’s not linear. Joey still has hard days, even twenty years later. He once said he breaks down on the anniversary every single year.

And that’s okay. It’s normal. We’re taught that time heals all wounds, but that’s bull. Time just teaches you to carry the wound better.

He’s also spoken about how he struggles with trust in relationships. No wonder, really. If your first love—your mum—leaves you suddenly, how do you ever feel safe again?

The Big Takeaway

So, how did Joey Essex’s mum die? She lost a battle with depression. But the real story is how he survived it.

He turned his pain into purpose. He’s a bit daft on telly, sure, but underneath that? He’s a bloke who refuses to let the darkness win.

And honestly? That’s incredibly Reem. Even if his mum would probably tell him to tidy up his bedroom.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please, reach out. Talk to someone. Joey would want you to. And so would Linda.