'Southern Charm' Star Patricia Altschul's Beloved Butler Michael Kelcourse Dies at 71 After Long Health Battle

Southern charmMichael Kelcourse, who became a fan favorite as the butler to Charleston dowager Patricia Altschul, has died. He was 71 years old.

Altschul confirmed his death in a post on Instagram. He died on October 22 in Sarasota, Florida, a few weeks after suffering another stroke.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved Michael, who left us yesterday morning in Sarasota,” Altschul’s post began. “More than just a dedicated butler, he was a trusted friend, confidant and member of our family for over 20 years.”

“Michael’s time on Southern Charm endeared him to many, as his humor and kindness quickly made him a fan favorite,” she wrote. “Over the past two weeks, he has been deeply touched by the incredible number of cards and well wishes from fans. I’m told there were hundreds of them and they brought him immense joy during his final days.”

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After suffering a stroke earlier this month, which Altschul, 83, informed followers about in an Instagram post, she encouraged fans to send cards to Kelcourse in honor of his 71st birthday on Oct. 13 and as part of his recovery.

“We are sure he would love to receive your birthday and good wishes,” she wrote. “I know he means so much to so many of you.”

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Kelcourse, who appeared on the Bravo reality series through its seventh season, also previously suffered an acute spinal cord injury in 2021 and recovered in Atlanta before moving to an aide’s home in Florida.

His death was also reported on the website of the nonprofit organization CaringBridge — which offered updates on his health since a stroke in October — in a post by Luzanne Otta. She shared that he died “due to complications related to a spinal cord injury and stroke.”

His “debilitating stroke” earlier this month “paralyzed his right side” and left him “without the ability to speak,” but “his left arm and mental faculties remained intact,” Otte wrote.” In Michael’s final week, he was surrounded by lovely people reading the kind words written by hundreds of loving fans in birthday cards,” said Otte.

Kelcourse entered the service profession after helping out at a local theater during high school in Michigan.

“I loved it and they invited me back to every event, but I didn’t know I could make a career out of it,” he said. “When I was 23, my dad arranged for me to be an apprentice in a gourmet restaurant in Ireland. That really planted the seeds of work. After my apprenticeship, I entered a carer’s program, but I ended up employed doing what I loved and being paid so much that I’m not done.”

Jenn Cady

Kelcourse moved to Palm Beach, Florida to work with Eleanor Purviance Bostwick, whose husband co-founded Standard Oil with John D. Rockefeller. After Bostwick’s death in 2004, Altschul approached Kelcourse about working for her.

Kelcourse devoted himself entirely to serving Altschul, making her martinis, taking care of her dogs, and helping her organize dinner parties for her Southern charm costars. He even spent his days off with Altschul.

“On my day off, I usually come and look after Mrs A because she’s such a lovely person,” Kelcourse told Decider 2019.

Altschul’s son Whitney Sudler-Smith recognized Kelcourse’s dedication to his mother.

“He’s dedicated to mom,” Sudler-Smith told Bravo’s Daily dish. “He’s the nicest guy in the world. He’s invaluable to my mum as he helps with her circle of animals.”

Kelcourse appeared frequently on Southern charmserving champagne to Altschul and her guests, escorting Altschul around Charleston and leading her through the McDonald’s drive-thru.

Patricia Altschul/Instagram

Kelcourse worked with Altschul from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic until he suffered an acute spinal cord stroke in February 2021 and received treatment at Shepherd Spinal Center in Atlanta.

Kelcourse announced his “graduation” from Shepherd Spinal Center in August 2021 and shared his gratitude to the staff on Instagram.

“Amazing staff beyond therapy, can’t thank them enough,” he wrote in October 2021.

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Kelcourse visited Los Angeles before moving to Angels Senior Living in Sarasota, where he enjoyed playing karaoke. Kelcourse also committed to learning to walk again with the help of the Center for Ability Recovery. “I’m committed to walking again,” he posted on Instagram in January 2022.

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In the season 8 premiere Southern charm that aired in June 2022, Altschul recalled her reaction when she learned of Kelcourse’s stroke.

“I’m still shocked by the whole thing because he was with us for 18 years,” she said. “My longest marriage lasted 15 years, so Michael is the most stable relationship I’ve ever had.”

In her Instagram post announcing his death, she told fans she would “dedicate this week to Michael’s memory. I know he meant so much to so many of you, as he meant to us. We will miss him dearly.”

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Source: HIS Education