Heather Armstrong was an American blogger, author, and speaker. She was born on July 19, 1975, in Memphis, Tennessee, and grew up in Memphis and Huntsville, Alabama. Armstrong attended Brigham Young University and graduated with a degree in English. She started her blog, Dooce, in 2001, which became one of the most popular personal blogs on the internet, attracting millions of readers.
The blog focused on her experiences as a stay-at-home mother and featured candid and humorous writing about her life and family. her writing style and willingness to share personal details made her a pioneer in the world of blogging. She has also written two books, “It Sucked and Then I Cried: How I Had a Baby, a Breakdown, and a Much Needed Margarita” and “The Valedictorian of Being Dead: The True Story of Dying Ten Times to Live”. She was also an advocate for mental health and has spoken publicly about her struggles with depression and anxiety.
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Net Worth
Heather Armstrong’s net worth was estimated to be around $2 million. She made most of her earnings from her career as a blogger, author, and speaker. As one of the earliest successful bloggers, she was able to monetize her website, Dooce.com, and earn income through sponsorships, ads, and affiliate marketing. At the height of her blogging career, she was reportedly earning around $1 million per year. However, in recent years, her blogging income has decreased, and she has shifted her focus to other creative pursuits.
Death, Suicide, Obituary
Heather Armstrong, an American blogger who gained fame for her blog Dooce, passed away on May 9, 2023, at the age of 47. her partner, Pete Ashdown, confirmed that she died by suicide and was found in their Salt Lake City home on Tuesday night.
Heather was considered one of the first and most popular “mommy bloggers” who wrote about the challenges and joys of motherhood in a frank and open manner. She began Dooce.com in 2001 and turned it into a lucrative career. Over time, Armstrong also wrote about her battles with depression and alcoholism, helping to remove the stigma around mental health issues.
Armstrong’s death has been widely reported by media outlets, and her boyfriend, Pete Ashdown, has paid tribute to her on social media. However, in the wake of her death, many have also raised concerns about the pressures of social media and the impact it can have on mental health.
Biodata (Wiki)
| Name | Heather Armstrong |
| Profession | Blogger, author, entrepreneur |
| Age | 47 years |
| Birth Date | July 19, 1975 |
| Birth Place | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Material status | Divorced |
| Ex-husband Name | Jon Armstrong |
| Children | 2 daughters |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | University of Texas at Austin (B.A. in English) |
| Famous blog | Dooce |
| Net Worth | $2 million (approx.) |
| Mental health issue | Suffered from depression and anxiety |
| Wikipeida | @HeatherArmstrong |
| @HeatherArmstrong | |
| @HeatherArmstrong | |
| Will Update | |
| Mcphagwara | Homepage Link |
Marriage, Kids, Divorce, Boyfriend
Heather Armstrong was previously married to Jon Armstrong, her business partner and co-founder of Dooce.com. The couple got married in 2002 but announced their separation in January 2012. Their divorce was finalized later that year. According to her biography, she was divorced/engaged once.
When she was married to Jon she became a mother of her two kids Leta Elise (born 2004), and Marlo Iris (born 2009). She, who pioneered the “mommy blog” in the early 2000s, documented her experiences as a mother of two girls and her struggles with alcohol and depression
After her divorce, she dated Pete Ashdown, who is identified as her boyfriend in several news reports. Pete Ashdown confirmed Heather’s death by suicide on May 9, 2023. Pete Ashdown is a politician from the Democratic party.
Early Life, Education, DOB
Heather Armstrong was born on July 19, 1975, in Los Angeles, California, USA. She grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, where she attended Germantown High School. After completing her high school education, she enrolled at Brigham Young University in Utah, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in political science.
After completing her undergraduate studies, she worked as a web developer before starting her blog, Dooce, in 2001. Her blog quickly gained popularity, and she became a full-time blogger in 2004.
Although she did not pursue higher education beyond her undergraduate studies, Armstrong has continued to educate herself on a variety of topics, including mental health, parenting, and technology, which are frequent topics of discussion on her blog.
Parents
was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee to her father and mother. However, there is no information available regarding her siblings.
Heather Armstrong’s parents are Linda and Mike Hamilton. In the wake of her recent death by suicide, her mother shared the family’s profound grief and how they were finding solace in their faith and the impact Heather had on her fans.
Armstrong’s mother, Linda Hamilton-Oar, said that while the family was devastated, they were taking comfort in their faith, believing they will see her again. In her last post, Armstrong wrote that “early sobriety resembles living life as a clam without a shell,” reflecting on the challenges of staying sober.
Dooced (Struggle)
Heather Armstrong was well-known for coining the term “dooce” which refers to being fired from a job due to something said on a personal blog. In 2002, she was fired from her job as a web designer for dooce.com after she wrote about her co-workers and her job in a humorous and sarcastic way on her personal blog.
The incident gained national attention and sparked discussions about the boundaries between personal and professional life, as well as the risks and consequences of sharing personal information online. Armstrong’s experience and subsequent success as a professional blogger have made her a prominent figure in the blogging community and a source of inspiration for aspiring bloggers.
Career
In addition to her successful blog and writing career, Heather Armstrong was also been involved in other ventures and achieved success in various areas.
One of her notable ventures is the podcast “The Broadcast,” which she co-hosted with fellow blogger and friend, Sarah James. The podcast focused on a range of topics including motherhood, marriage, and current events. It ran from 2016 to 2019 and was highly popular among its audience.
Armstrong has also collaborated with various brands, including Google, Ford, and Pepsi, as a spokesperson and influencer. Her social media following and reputation as an influential blogger have made her a valuable partner for companies seeking to reach a wider audience.
Furthermore, she has been invited to speak at various conferences and events, including the South by Southwest (SXSW) Interactive Festival, BlogHer, and Mom 2.0 Summit. Her insights and experiences as a blogger and entrepreneur have made her a sought-after speaker and panelist.
Her Website Dooced.com
Dooced.com was a website founded by Heather Armstrong, an American blogger, in 2002. The term “dooced” became popular after she was fired from her job for writing about her work on her personal blog, which led to her creating the website.
The website served as a platform for people to share their stories about being fired or losing their jobs due to their online activities. It became a popular destination for people looking to share their own experiences and read about those of others. In 2009, Armstrong shut down the website and redirected the domain to her personal blog, dooce.com.
Books
Heather Armstrong has published two books:
- “It Sucked and Then I Cried: How I Had a Baby, a Breakdown, and a Much Needed Margarita” (2009) is a memoir about her experience with postpartum depression after the birth of her first child.
- “The Valedictorian of Being Dead: The True Story of Dying Ten Times to Live” (2019) is a memoir about her participation in a clinical trial for a new treatment for severe depression, which involved inducing a temporary state of brain death.
Struggle With Depression
Heather Armstrong, like many other bloggers, has taken several hiatuses from her blog over the years. During these times, she has spoken openly about her struggles with depression and anxiety. In a 2016 blog post, she revealed that she had been diagnosed with major depressive disorder and was taking medication to manage it.
Armstrong has also discussed the impact that her blogging career has had on her mental health. In a 2014 interview with CNN, she stated that the pressure of being a public figure and the constant criticism and negativity from online trolls had taken a toll on her. She also shared that she had contemplated suicide at one point, but sought professional help and has since been on a journey of healing.
During her hiatuses, Armstrong has been able to focus on her mental health and spend time with her family. She has also explored new hobbies and interests, such as photography and podcasting. Through her struggles and triumphs, she has continued to be an advocate for mental health awareness and breaking the stigma surrounding mental illness.
Trivia
- Armstrong has been open about her struggles with depression and postpartum depression, which she has chronicled in her writing.
- She was a supporter of mental health advocacy and has worked with organizations such as NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
- Armstrong was once fired from her job for writing about her work on her blog, which led to the creation of the term “dooced”.
- Armstrong’s personal life, including her divorce and subsequent co-parenting relationship with her ex-husband, has been documented on her blog and in her writing.
- She has shared her experiences with ADHD and how it has impacted her life.
- Armstrong is an animal lover and has owned several dogs throughout her life, which she has also written about on her blog.
- She has been open about her struggles with weight and body image and has discussed her journey to finding self-acceptance.
FAQ
Is Heather Armstrong still with Pete?
Before her death she was dating former Senate candidate Pete Ashdown