The global audience is intrigued by the personal and matrimonial life of Ralph Cirella, the renowned stylist, following the news of his demise. Cirella, who was known for his long-standing friendship with Howard Stern, passed away on December 6, 2023, when he was 58 years old.
Surviving him are his wife Beth Ostrosky, his children Lucas Cirella and Ashley Cirella, his siblings Robert Cirella, Richard Cirella, Ronald Cirella, Rosemary Cirella, and Renee Cirella, along with his beloved cats, nieces, nephews, and a large group of friends and admirers. Cirella was a frequent participant and valued member of the Stern Show family.
Beth Ostrosky, Cirella’s wife, is a well-known figure in her own right. The couple entered into wedlock in 2006 after an eight-year courtship. Ostrosky, an American actress, author, model, and animal rights activist, is known for her roles in films such as Flirting with Disaster, Whipped, and Kitten Bowl. Besides her acting career, she has authored several books about cats, such as Oh My Dog and Yoda: The Story of a Cat and His Kittens, and serves as a spokesperson for North Shore Animal League of America, the world’s largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organisation.
Ostrosky and Cirella were introduced to each other by Howard Stern, Cirella’s longtime friend and employer, at a party in 1998. The couple decided to move in together in 2000, got engaged in 2004, and finally tied the knot at a grand wedding ceremony held at New York City’s Le Cirque restaurant on October 3, 2006. The guest list included celebrities such as Billy Joel, Sarah Silverman, Joan Rivers, and John Stamos.
The couple shared a harmonious marital life, often appearing together on Stern’s radio and TV shows, like Howard Stern on Demand. They also attended numerous events and fundraisers for animal welfare causes, sharing a mutual love for cats and adopting several rescue cats throughout their marriage.
Despite having a strong bond, Cirella and Ostrosky did not have any children together, choosing instead to focus on their careers and animal welfare. They lovingly treated their cats as their children, often naming them after famous people or characters.
However, from his previous marriage to Allison Furman, Cirella had two children, Lucas Cirella and Ashley Cirella, both of whom were born in the late 1980s and early 1990s respectively.
Born on April 20, 1965, in New York City, Cirella was of Italian descent and came from a large family, including three brothers and two sisters. His parents were Ralph E. Cirella Sr. and Joanne B. Cirella (nee Erskine). Cirella’s father was a Korean War veteran who worked as a truck driver for Pepsi-Cola, and his mother dedicated her life to raising their six children.
Cirella maintained a close relationship with his family, frequently visiting them in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, where they relocated in 1978. After graduating from Fairhaven High School in 1983, Cirella returned to New York City to carve out a career in the entertainment industry.
His professional journey with Howard Stern began in 1986 when he was tasked with creating a “talking penis” for a New Year’s Eve broadcast at the Felt Forum. His creativity and humour caught Stern’s attention, and he went on to become Stern’s personal stylist, wardrobe consultant, and set designer, as well as one of his closest friends and allies.
Cirella’s sudden demise on December 6, 2023, at his Manhattan residence, sent shockwaves through his family and the wider entertainment industry. The cause of his death remains undisclosed.
