Ricki Lake shared a heartwarming update after her home and several irreplaceable mementos were destroyed in the devastating Los Angeles wildfires.
“One of the things I lost, among everything I lost, but one of the things that really was so painful for me [was] I lost my birth videos, my pictures, my album of my home birth to my son,” Lake, 56, said in a video shared via Instagram on Sunday, January 26.
Lake shares sons Milo, 27, and Owen, 23, with ex husband Rob Sussman. Owen’s 2001 water birth was the subject of Lake’s 2008 documentary The Business of Being Born.
“I consider it my most meaningful piece of work I’ve done in my 37-year career, but it’s very personal,” she explained. “It was on my own money, it was my own experience, and when I had my son, I had pictures during that birth. It was a beautiful album. It was really important to me.”
Lake went on to say that one of the doulas present at the birth, Jennifer Lickson, had reached out to her on Facebook saying she had copies of the photos from 2001.
“She reached out and offered to make copies of the photos of my birth,” Lake wrote in the video’s caption. “One of the many priceless things I lost in the fire. I am so deeply moved by this kind gesture. ❤️🩹💔🙏❤️.”
In the video, Lake noted, “I haven’t talked to [Lickson] in years, but she reached out and sent me a message that she saw I lost my house.” She added, “It’s like the nicest thing anyone’s ever done for me. I can’t believe that I’m going to be able to have those back.
Lake’s Malibu home was destroyed by the Pacific Palisades wildfire on January 7. She and husband Ross Burmingham evacuated their home after exhausting all efforts to save it. She is one of several celebrities— including Paris Hilton, Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt, among others — who have lost their homes as a result of the ongoing fires.
“Grateful to have made it out alive and uninjured. Forever grateful to @kirbykotler_ our absolute angel,” Lake wrote via Instagram at the time. “He did everything to try to save our precious property. No doubt had we stayed, we would not have survived. Sharing for all who have been asking. Thank you for the love and well wishes.”
She added, “Again, please pray for those impacted by this catastrophic event and help if you are able.”
Check the LAFD website for local wildfire alerts and click here for resources on how to help those affected.
