Nate Berkus Reveals the loss of his Loved One, “Miss you Already”

Renowned signer and HGTV personality Nate Berkus is grieving the passing of his cherished companion, the esteemed fashion jewelry icon Barbara Berger. On January 16, 2024, Berkus shared a poignant Instagram post, triggering an outpouring of sympathy and intrigue from fans and acquaintances alike.

Expressing his gratitude, Berkus captioned the videos and photos he uploaded, prompting some to speculate that he had lost his mother rather than a close friend and mentor. A prominent figure in the realm of costume jewelry, particularly pieces from luxury designers, Berger not only shared a profound friendship with Berkus but also a fervent enthusiasm for vintage design. Additional recollections of her were posted on Berkus’s Instagram Stories, echoed by his husband and HGTV co-star, designer Jeremiah Brent. Both shared Stories captioned with the heartfelt words, “miss you already.”

Nate Berkus Once Called Barbara Berger & Her Late Husband 2 of His ‘Favorite People in the World’

Barbara Berger, born in New York in 1942, hailed from a family steeped in the diamond trade, her father being a diamond merchant, as per W magazine. At the tender age of 13, Barbara experienced a pivotal moment when her mother, the source of her deep-seated passion for collecting exquisite items, passed away, bequeathing her treasured jewelry collection to her daughter.

In a 2010 interview with Quién magazine, Barbara asserted, “A collector is born, not made.” She emphasized that the inclination for collecting is an inherent trait, not an acquired taste but a predisposition one is born with.

Following her initial marriage, Barbara entered into matrimony with Mauricio Berger, co-founder of Mexico’s premier jewelry company, according to Pulse News Mexico. Mauricio passed away in September 2022 at the age of 92, marking the end of a union that spanned over 40 years, as reported by Quien.

While Nate Berkus did not delve into the specifics of his relationship with the Bergers, he did share a heartfelt sentiment in 2010 after spending time with them, expressing on Twitter, “Saying goodbye to Barbara and Maurizio Berger is always hard for me, two of my favorite people in the world…”

Nate Berkus, who has often vocalized his affinity for estate jewelry, revealed in a 2023 interview with House Beautiful that if he were not an interior designer, he would pursue a career as an estate jeweler.

I find parallels between jewelry and design,” he remarked. “My preference lies in pieces from the 40s, 50s, and 60s primarily.”

Throughout her life, Barbara Berger amassed a vast archive exceeding 4,000 pieces of designer costume jewelry, ranging from vintage Christian Dior to contemporary creations by Dolce & Gabbana, as reported by W. Her remarkable collection took center stage in 2013, with 450 pieces showcased in an exhibit at New York’s Museum of Arts and Design (MAD), accompanied by a book titled “Fashion Jewelry: The Collection of Barbara Berger.”

Nate Berkus, captured in photographs at the exhibit’s opening, consistently championed his friend’s book on various social media platforms, considering it among his favorite literature on jewelry. In his Instagram homage to Barbara, he shared photos capturing moments from their shared experiences over the years.

Some Fans Though Nate Berkus Was Mourning the Loss of His Own Mom in His Post

Following Berkus’s heartfelt tribute to Berger on Instagram, an outpouring of condolences inundated the post, with thousands of fans and friends expressing their sympathy, including several HGTV stars.

Jenny Marrs of “Fixer to Fabulous” conveyed her condolences, saying, “I’m so deeply sorry for your loss.”

Ty Pennington, the host of “Rock the Block,” left a comment, stating, “Sending Hugs Buddy. So sorry.”

Veronica Valencia of “Revealed” expressed her support, writing, “Sending you and the family love and healing during this time Nate ❤️🕊️.”

Some took a moment to specifically honor Berger, remembering her as a kind and creative visionary.

A poignant message read, “So Barbara! Unforgettable! Kind, generous in every way, we had wonderful times together bonding over our appreciation for the art and design of jewelry.”

However, the post left many others perplexed, with some assuming that Berkus had lost his mother and others questioning the identity of the woman in the tribute.

It’s worth clarifying that Berkus’s mother, Nancy Golden, is a former interior designer and HGTV contributor. Over the last decade, she has crafted her own jewelry and wallet collection using recycled leather and other materials. While Berkus shares a profound love for vintage jewelry with Berger, he has credited his mother as the inspiration behind his journey into interior design.

On Golden’s birthday in 2017, Berkus expressed his admiration on Facebook, saying, “Happy birthday to the woman who has inspired my love of design since day one. Nancy Golden, you are fearless, amazing, and one-of-a-kind. I love you!”