What Trina Braxton Says Prepared Her For the Death of Her Sister, Traci
Braxton Family Values fans were stunned by the death of Traci Braxton. Aside from a joint statement and a birthday tribute, the family has been relatively mum about how difficult it’s been to lose their beloved sister. Trina recently spoke regarding how she believes another tragic loss helped to prepare her to say farewell to Traci.
Trina Braxton’s ex-husband also died from cancer
The Braxton sister was married to Gabe Solis for over a decade. Their marital woes, much of which included Solis’ infidelity, played out on reality television. Despite a messy split, the former couple remained close friends.
Solis died in Dec. 2018 after a brief battle with cancer. Her grief was displayed on the show and her sisters threw a memorial service for Trina in his honor.
Trina shared a touching Instagram tribute to her ex and longtime friend, noting he preferred to keep his illness private. “On December 20, 2018, a chapter permanently closed for my sons and I,” she wrote in part. “For over 16 years, Gabe Solis was an essential part of our lives. Like all families, there are good and bad moments that are endured, but those moments, good or bad still made us who we are in the present. “He was a father to my boys, a son, brother, and friend to many and I would appreciate privacy and respect as we grieve his unexpected departure. @gabe_solis1234 I miss you, my dear friend.”
She says her ex-husband’s death prepared her for the death of Traci
Fans learned the news of Traci’s death on March 12 in an Instagram post and statement from her husband and family. After a year-long private battle with esophageal cancer, Traci succumbed to the disease. Her husband held a public memorial in her hometown of Maryland. Though her sisters were not present, they held a Celebration of Life on April 2 on what would have been Traci’s 51st birthday.
Trina says losing Traci was difficult, but due to her previous experience of losing Solis so suddenly, she was more prepared. For the first time since Traci’s death, Trina opened up in an emotional interview.
“You know how a lot of times in life we say, ‘You don’t know what God’s preparing you for?’ Gabe was one of the closest things to me, in my life, when he passed away,” she told Rashan Ali on the All I Do is Win podcast. “And it’s still very difficult. But in some ways it prepared me for the death of my sister. It’s still very hard, it’s still very new, it’s still very fresh. But, my life can go on in a better way now than before. And even though nothing can truly prepare you but my prepared level was more because at least I had time, at least I was there with her. When she took her last breath, I was standing right there with her.”
The singer and reality star claps back at critics who question her sisterhood
Despite the outpouring of support from fans and the public, there has been some pushback. In her interview with Ali, Trina took the time to address social media bullies who questioned whether or not she and her other sisters treated Traci fairly. Many of their arguments were shown on television, but Trina says it’s unfair.
“Shame on each and every one of you people trolling on social media talking about my family and my sisterhood with my sisters. For everyone who said we did not get along, and for everyone who said that I mistreated my sister Traci, show me the footage,” she demanded.
