Nearing ten years on from her father’s death, Lisa Rinna has opened up about the experience.
Speaking on the new episode of her and husband Harry Hamlin’s podcast, Let’s Not Talk About The Husband, Rinna revealed that her dad Frank Rinna died by assisted suicide in 2016 at 94 years old.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum revealed that her dad’s “quality of life had diminished” so far that he was ready to die.
READ MORE: A-lister’s rare comment on co-parenting five years on from divorce.
Rinna explained that because of the Death With Dignity Act in Oregon, “you’re permitted to check out when you want to check out”.
She shared that her dad “was in pain” and “really unhappy” with his life, but it still wasn’t any easier to let go.
“It was a trippy, trippy, trippy, trippy thing, almost so surreal that I didn’t feel like I was in my body,” Rinna said.
For a daily dose of 9honey, subscribe to our newsletter here.
Explaining how the process works, she shared that her dad had to have “two doctors sign off” and then had to wait another six months “or something like that”.
“He was ready to go, he got the sign off, you have to order the Seconal pills, that’s what they use,” she said.
“The person that’s dying has to be able to pick up the juice or whatever to drink it themselves. You can’t administer it to somebody… it has to be a willful act on their part.”
Her dad’s pills arrived two days late which she said made him “so mad” because he was “just so anxious to go”.
Remembering the stars we’ve lost in 2025
“You’re in this surreal position because you want to do and support your loved ones,” she said.
“You want to support what they want to do, but you’re going to watch your parent kill themselves.”
According to Rinna, the moment had “a lot of real beauty behind it”.
Her family played Frank Sinatra, her dad’s favourite and the afternoon light was coming into the room.
READ MORE: Tom Hanks latest project sees his son revive one of his most iconic roles.
After Frank drank the pills mixed into orange juice, Rinna said it was about another 45 minutes before “he just went to sleep”.
At the time of her dad’s death, Rinna didn’t reveal any details, simply posting on Instagram to share the news.
Sharing an image of Frank with her mother Louis, Rinna simply captioned the post, “The World lost a Great Man today……Heaven got a great Angel. I love you Dad.”
If you or someone you know is seeking support and information about suicide prevention, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 46. In an emergency dial Triple Zero (000).
FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.
