Who was Ricki Lakes ex-husband Christian Evans? Jewellery designer dead at 45 after battle with bipolar disorder

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Ricki and Christian married in 2012, married for four years until their divorce

HE WAS the smiling face next to Ricki Lake, the “soulmate” of the US actress, talk show host and The X Factor:Celebrity star.

But the life of Christian Evans was tragically cut short, after it was revealed he had succumbed to his lifelong battle with bipolar disorder.

We take a look back at the jewellery designers life.

Who was Christian Evans?

Christian Evans was a jewellery designer.

Born in 1971 in California, United States, he struggled with bipolar disorder throughout his life.

Describing himself as a “spiritually enlightened soul” on Twitter, the designer was also working on a movement to help the homeless in Los Angeles before his tragic death.

Taking to Twitter in 2014, he wrote: “No better feeling in the world, helping less fortunate and unwell people. All other problems melt away.”

He is most well-known for his relationship with Ricki Lake, with the couple starting to date in 2009 before becoming engaged two years later.

The couple were married in a secret ceremony in April 2012.

They announced that they would be divorcing in 2014, citing “irreconcilable differences”, eonline reported.

Evans wrote on Twitter at the time, saying it was one of the “most upsetting days of my life”.

The pair did briefly postpone the divorce but it was finalised in 2015.

His death was announced by his ex-wife Ricki Lake in February 2017.

No cause of death was revealed.

Christian Evans, a jewellery designer, pictured with then-wife Ricki Lake in 2012
Christian Evans, a jewellery designer, pictured with then-wife Ricki Lake in 2012
Ricki Lake and Christian Evans filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences
Ricki Lake and Christian Evans filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences

What did Ricki Lake say about him?

In announcing Christian’s Evans tragic passing, she wrote an emotional post on Instagram, saying: “It is with a heavy heart that I share that my beloved soulmate, Christian Evans has passed.

“The world didn’t understand this man, but I did.

“He succumbed to his lifelong struggle with bipolar disorder.

“For anyone who has ever lost a family member or friend to mental illness, my heart goes out to you.

“I am a greater person for having known him and spent the past 6 and a half years of my life with him.

“He was a man of love and what mends my broken heart today is knowing that he is finally at peace and his spirit is free. Rest in peace, my love”.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

It is with a heavy heart that I share that my beloved soulmate, Christian Evans has passed. The world didnt understand this man, but I did. He succumbed to his life long struggle with bipolar disorder. For anyone who has ever lost a family member or friend to mental illness, my heart goes out to you. I am a greater person for having known him and spent the past 6 and a half years of my life with him. He was a man of love and what mends my broken heart today is knowing that he is finally at peace and his spirit is free. Rest in peace, my love

A post shared by Ricki Lake (@rickilake) on

Ricki shared an emotional tribute to her ex-husband, calling him 'a man of love'
Ricki shared an emotional tribute to her ex-husband, calling him ‘a man of love’

What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that affects a person’s mood.

People with bipolar disorder can be affected by periods of depression, feeling low and lethargic, or mania, feeling high and overactive.

The NHS states that bipolar is unlike simple mood swings, instead extreme episodes lasting for weeks or even longer.

The highs and lows of bipolar can interfere with everyday life.