The famed restaurateur behind a celebrity-loved Italian eatery frequented by the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Beyoncé has passed away at the age of 64.
Nello Balan built an empire from his eponymous restaurant on Madison Avenue, New York, which became a socialite hot spot.
Unfortunately, his daughter, Lucy, confirmed that he passed away in hospital on Tuesday afternoon.
She said Page six that she was “by his side” as he uttered some heartwarming last words.
Nello Balan built an empire from his namesake restaurant on Madison Avenue, New York, which became a socialite hot spot
The famed restaurateur was behind the celebrity-loved Italian eatery frequented by a star-studded guest list
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone were also among the famous faces drawn to the eatery
Beyoncé and Jay-Z also celebrated their wedding anniversary in the pricey celebrity hotspot in 2010
Jennifer Lopez has also dined at the Upper East Side restaurant in the past with her sister and a friend
Balan’s cause of death has not yet been confirmed, but he has been plagued by health problems in recent years.
He underwent successful surgery to remove a brain tumor less than two years ago.
But a short time later, he had a skiing accident that left him “in and out of the hospital for about a month.”
Lucy told the publication that her father uttered some heartwarming last words: “I love you Lucy. You are the boss. Never forget where you came from.
“
“He has said it all my life, he loves me, my whole family, my sister, my brother, my other sister, my children.”
Romanian-born Balan has spent more than 25 years building his eponymous eatery.
It currently describes itself as the place “where art, fashion, politics, entertainment, aristocracy and finance converge to create a world of urban sophistication, genuine leisure and cosmopolitan chic on Madison Avenue.”
The private dining room attracted a host of famous faces, including Jennifer Lopez, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Sylvester Stallone.
Romanian-born Balan has spent more than 25 years building his eponymous eatery. Balan is pictured outside the restaurant with Ivana Trump (left) and Dustin Hoffman (right)
It currently describes itself as the place ‘where art, fashion, politics, entertainment, aristocracy and finance converge’. Balan is pictured with Donald Trump in 1998
Balan (pictured in the establishment with Mickey Rourke in 2009) had to leave the restaurant in 2015 after 25 years
In 2010, actress Denise Richards appeared alongside Balan herself behind the scenes of the New York restaurant
Balan’s daughter said it had always been her father’s dream that one day he would reclaim the Upper East Side restaurant. Pictured is Balan in the eatery next to actor Chris Noth
Beyoncé and Jay-Z also celebrated their wedding anniversary in the pricey celebrity hotspot in 2010.
But despite the success, Balan had to leave the restaurant in 2015 after 25 years after a dispute with business partner Thomas Makkos.
The former owner described it at the time as “a marriage that didn’t work.”
Instead, Balan spent time traveling and lived in Rome for a year with girlfriend Princess Rita von Boncompagni Ludovisi – the former wife of Republican U.S. Representative John Jenrette.
Lucy told the publication, “She was a big part of his life. They wrote books together, made art and he cooked with her in the villa.
“They had a very special bond.”
Lucy, who named her daughter after Balan, said it had always been her father’s dream that one day he would reclaim the Upper East Side restaurant.
She now hopes to “carry on his legacy,” telling the outlet, “I’ll take over the restaurant and make it happen again.
” I was his biggest fan.’