Whitney Way Thore took to social media over the weekend to share some thoughts about her late mother. Barbara “Babs” Thore died on December 7, 2022. She was 76 years old and a beloved part of the TLC show My Big Fat Fabulous Life. Whitney has been open about her struggle following her mother’s death and she acknowledged that in her tribute on the two-year anniversary of her passing.
Whitney Way Thore Remembers Babs With Tribute
The My Big Fat Fab Life star took to Instagram on Sunday to share several photos and a clip of her mom. In the caption, Whitney Way Thore wrote, “Two years ago my dad and my brother and I held my mommy as she died — at 10:32pm, which is the same time I was born. My mother has been my greatest gift in life and she was magic. I am so grateful to be made from her.”
She shared a clip of Babs on the show where she spoke to Whitney about aphrodisiac foods. Babs told her that a banana was “visually” an aphrodisiac. The clip shows Whitney trying to hold back her laughter. In the next slide, Whitney shared a much younger photo of her mother where she looked to be modeling. Other clips showed behind-the-scenes on the show where Babs shared a lot of firsts with the audience, including her first time pumping gas.
Whitney Way Thore also shared some more intimate clips. One showed her and Babs dancing and singing together in the car. Another showed her dad, Glenn Thore, and her mom in a wheelchair sitting outside. The final photo in the array was a photo of a baby Whitney getting sweet kisses from her mom.
Fans Fondly Remember ‘America’s Mom’
After scrolling through the memories, fans were eager to express their condolences and also show love for Babs. “Babs was the Mom we all wished that we had,” one Instagram user wrote. Another chimed in, “To have had a mother like this is like winning the lottery.”
“I remember you saying she passed while you were all watching her favorite movie – I’ve always wanted to know what movie,” a third fan asked. Whitney Way Thore replied, “The Birdcage.”
Fans often felt like Babs was their own mom. In her obituary, they spoke about Babs’ “unexpected career change” when she began appearing on My Big Fat Fabulous Life. During her time on the TLC show, she “impacted millions of viewers all over the world and earned the title of ‘America’s Mom.'”
It’s hard to believe that it has been two years since she’s been gone. However, Whitney Way Thore and her family are keeping Babs’ memory alive.
