Bernie Mac's Wife Recalls His Last Moments

As she held a vigil by his side...

By Daniel Melia on Monday 11th August 2008

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Bernie Mac's wife Rhonda has revealed details of the comedian's last moments before his death on Saturday.

Speaking in an emotional interview with People, Rhonda recalled how she and her younger sister Mary Ann were with him the night before, as he came close to death.

She revealed: "He struggled for his life. He couldn't breathe. He opened his eyes on his own and looked at Rhonda.

“She called his name, and he opened his eyes and nodded to her. She smiled at him and told him, 'Don't leave me … 'I'm waiting for you to come back.'

“He shrugged his shoulders, and she said that's when she knew he was tired. He signaled to her that his body was tired."

On the details of his death, she added: “[The doctors] were working on him. They tried to resuscitate him two times. One time he came back for about an hour. Then he went into cardiac arrest the second time."

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Comments (20)

• Bernie Mac, the first time I saw him on TV his big eyes scared me, then I saw that he was just a funny guy, I loved his films and stand ups. My though are with his family in this sad time. May he RIP.
  Nimo , London/ UK - Aug 15th, 2008
• "i aint scared of u mutha****as " B. Mac had alot of balls (no homo) and exercise freedom of speech to the max, we couldn't wiat 2 see what he would say next . he will b missed , but he is in a betta place
  Gimme beatZ, Roc, nY - Aug 13th, 2008
• I was so sad when I heard the news on sat. watching the parade. my heart truly go's out to the Mac family and friends. May God bless you all. It just hurt to see a good person go so soon, for the lord up above only knows why and I will not question his do's for we all must go one day. R.I.P Bernie
  ND1BX, chicago,ill - Aug 13th, 2008
• May God Bless Bernie Mac family. I love all his movies, I will miss him too. My favorite movie is Head of The State. May God Bless Bernie Mac, and may he rest in peace.
  Jeanette Allen, Los Angele ca 90013 - Aug 13th, 2008
• To Bernie Mac's wife,family,friends and fans.The world has lost a real icon. Words cannot express the true feelings that this great man has touched for so many years.He sent laughter into the homes of millions that he didn't even know,and we were glad that he did.May your hearts be healed beyond words and may your lives be enriched and blessed.We will never forget the man known as the Mac man,ever.But best believe that as sure as we live,we all must die..are you ready.Let's prepare ourselves.
  - Aug 12th, 2008
• May God be with his family at this time. I am truely grateful to have been blessed with the comedy that Bernie gave us. I am a long time fan going back to the"punkin pie" Def Jam Days. He will sadly missed, but thing I am certain of is that he comedy will live on.
  Jenn, Kansas City, KS - Aug 12th, 2008
• I JUST WANT TO TELL HIS FAMILY KNO DAT HE IS IN A BETTER PLACE.GOD WHISPERED TO HIM N SAID COME WITH ME, N DATS WHAT HE.COULDNT STAND TO SEE HIM STRUGGLE ANYMORE IT WAS TIME TO GO HOME.I KNO YOU ALL WILL MISS HIM BUT HE IS OK.GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
  MZ.LADY GOON AGE 12, PRESTON GA.,WEBSTER - Aug 12th, 2008
• I CANT BELIEVE Bernie MAC IZ GONE..I LOOKED UP 2Bernie MAC..ONE DAY I WANNA BE JUST LIKE HIM...MY PRAYER GOES OUT 2HIS FAMILY
  dan - Aug 12th, 2008
• Bernie was great at whatever he did. The man, his talent n character will truly be missed. He is gone yet not forgotten. He is in a better place. My prayers go out to his wife and immediate family and friends. Keep smiling I'm sure he would want that. May God Bless his soul and may he find rest. It's also sad because a day later Isaac Hayes passsed away as well. God needed them and wanted them home. May the families find peace and bask in their radiant light!
  D. NelsonD. Nelson, USA USA - Aug 11th, 2008
• R.I.P.Bernie. You will be truely missed as one of the best and realest comedians ever. LUV YA!
  Edna Brown, Baton Rouge, Louisiana - Aug 11th, 2008
• That is very sad! It's hard to believe! But my prayers go out to the family
  Bee Guiteraz, Douglas Georgia - Aug 11th, 2008
• To hear of this news, was a m_therf_ucker ! The Mac Man will always live within my heart. I,ve learned, through him, that life can tear you apart if you can't find a way to laugh about some of the hardships and other things within it. R.I.P. Mr. M_therf_cker (The Mac Man). "Now ain't this a m_therf_cker ?"
  B-Mo Fa-Sho, Orlando - Aug 11th, 2008
• Bernie Mack gave me so may nights of laughing to myself when I could not sleep and I would sit alone and watch his series. I don't think their is anyone else who has made me laugh as hard as he has sometimes only by his facial expressions! You could read so much comedy into what he was thinking just by the way he would look. I feel bad for his wife and family but I also feel bad for everyone in america because we needed many more years of Bernie. It isn't fair that he can be taken from us.
  Kim, ashland/ky boyd - Aug 11th, 2008
• Dear Bernie, My heart and preyers go out to you and your family. May god bless you and keep you in his arms. May your family find comfort in Christ and know you are loved. Thank you for your mission of comedy it has brought joy to many. Joy is a gift and you exemplified it. Yours, Eric Miller
  Eric Miller, Coldwater, Ontario, Canada. - Aug 11th, 2008
• All praises be onto the ALMIGHTY creator of all things, for he gives, and so he takes, for there is a time for everything, a time to laugh, and a time to cry, a time to build, and a time to reform, a time to live, and a time to die. This is a bitter reality that we must face, for in life there is death, and in death there is life. So with that being said we can draw some sort of solace, and know that the immortal side of Bernie lives on, so may the ALMIGHTY bless his soul, and comfort his family
  Greg, canada - Aug 11th, 2008
• When I woke Saturday morning and checked my email, and read the breaking news alert that I receive from CNN.com my heart fell to the floor. There have only been two comedians that I have deeply admired in my life, and now both are gone. The first is Richard Pryor and the second is Bernie Mac. I am 50 years of age too, therefore I can identify with everything the Mac Man had to say. My heart goes out to his family with my deepest love although you don't know me. God Bless You All. Zach Smith
  Zachary S. Smith, Branford, CT USA - Aug 11th, 2008
• Bernie Mac I will always miss you. We all must die. Through Jesus Christ I will see you again in Glory. May God Bless your family and fans. You ran this race and finish with gleam. My daughter was the first to call me on my birthday to tell me the news because she knows how much I love you. My your spirit rest with Christ. See you on the other side. Tammye Sullivan.
  Tammye Sullivan, Landover, Maryland - Aug 11th, 2008
• May God Take Care of Bernice Mac and His Family. I will always miss you and love you. My daughter was the first to call me because she knows how much I love Bernice Mac. May God Bless your family and your fams. We all must die, see you and your laughs in Glory. Love Always With Deepest Sympathy Tammye Sullivan.
  Tammye Sullivan, Landover, Maryland - Aug 11th, 2008
• I am really depressed at this news.I loved Bernie so much and this story has taken me off guard.My sincere condolences to his wife and family.
  Jerry, United Kingdom - Aug 11th, 2008
• THAT IS REALLY SAD TO HEAR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. MI HEART GOES OUT TO ALL THE FAMILY. GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
  TAMMARA, BILOXI,MS - Aug 11th, 2008