Embattled celebrity chef PAULA DEEN has yet another crisis on her plate – her cancer-stricken ex-husband is fighting for his life, The National ENQUIRER has exclusively learned.
Jimmy Deen, 70, and Paula, 68, were married for 27 years, and remain close despite their divorce, insiders said.
“Jimmy has throat cancer,” a source revealed.
The shattering news caps a trying two years for Paula, who faced allegations of racial discrimination that left her business empire in tatters.
Paula and Jimmy were high school sweethearts, and share two children, Jamie, 47, and Bobby, 44.
Even after the butter-loving, silver-haired Southern chef married current husband, tugboat captain Michael Groover, in 2004, the exes stayed friendly, with the former Food Network star even keeping his last name.
“They get along really well. The good news is the doctors caught the cancer in time and they’re treating it,” said the source, adding that Jimmy has recently undergone his first round of radiation therapy.
This isn’t the first health scare that Paula has confronted and overcome. In 2012, she lost 30 pounds and changed her diet after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
With the discrimination lawsuit dismissed, she’s planning to launch a brand comeback with a dash of much-needed cash from private equity firm Najafi Companies – to the tune of a sweet $100 million.
