“Seeking Sister Wife” star Bernie McGee has died at the age of 41.
“Our hearts go out to the McGee family following the loss of husband and father Bernie McGee,” TLC said in a statement Monday. “Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time.”
McGee’s wife, Paige, confirmed to the network that her husband died Saturday after suffering a heart attack.
“Bernie was out riding his bike when he suffered from a heat stroke and heart attack,” TLC said. “He later died at St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson, MS on Saturday, June 15.”
The McGee family set up a GoFundMe account after his death to raise money for his funeral expenses.
“Bernie and Paige McGee loved each other and their children unconditionally,” the memorial fund said. “Always helping others even though they were fighting their own battles. After losing everything to a house fire they were just beginning to get everything back together again. Unfortunately they faced the worst sudden devastation that shocked many.”
The fundraiser added: “Paige received a call from Bernie while he was riding his bicycle to let her know he wasn’t feeling well. Paige immediately went to get him but by the time she reached him EMS had to tell her what no wife and mother is ever prepared to hear. Bernie passed away due to heat stroke/heart attack. Leaving Paige and his two younger boys in shock, disbelief and truly upset.”
McGee and Paige have four sons together – John and Kyle from their marriage, and two sons from Paige’s previous relationship, whom McGee adopted when they married: David and Scott
The couple explored polygamy on Season 2 of “Seeking Sister Wives” earlier this year in an attempt to, as Paige explained on the reality show, “help us expand our family.”
“Unfortunately I had a lot of complications with my youngest, Kyle, and they actually told me I miscarried,” she said. “Since I can’t have any more children, polygamy seems to be the best way for us to have more children in our family.”
The couple revealed that they were motivated to find up to four sister wives after they lost their home and all of their possessions during a fire in Mississippi.
“Our long-term goal is to be able to buy a little land, build a house (or) build a cabin,” Bernie McGee said. “We’re hoping that we find somebody else. We have her input on what kind of house to have. We are really fluid right now.”
They were unsuccessful in finding a woman to marry into the family.
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