Naomie Olindo Returns to Her Native France for the First Time Since Her Dad's Passing

Naomie Olindo recently made her first visit back to France since her father, Joel Olindo, passed away in December 2019.

Naomie opened up about how difficult it was to be back in her and her parents' home country without her dad. "Being back in France without my dad was weird. Our family was created here. So much history of ours is in France," Naomie shared in a post on Instagram on July 13. "I was so anxious about going back to our house here and seeing his clothes, his toiletries, his artwork and feel the same pain I felt at home in the US all over again." 

Joel passed away on December 20, 2019 at the age of 68 after a 12-month battle with esophageal cancer. Originally from France, Joel, his wife, Carole, and daughter Naomie emigrated to the United States in 2000 after winning green cards through a lottery and settled in Charleston, where Joel had built up his restaurant and real estate business.

Naomie showed gratitude for those who were there for her and her mom during their emotional trip to France. "Thankfully my mom and I got through it with lots of love and help from some pretty amazing people that loved my dad too and knew we would need support. Then a couple fun outings like this one helped," Naomie said of the photo of herself outside the Hotel Du Cap-Eden-Roc in Atibes, France featured in the post. "OH and a s--t ton of wine for 11 days straight."

One of those people who has been by Naomie's side during this difficult time is her boyfriend, Metul Shah, who even helped her pen her father's obituary. Naomie thanked Metul for all of his support in a post on Instagram celebrating their two-year anniversary in April. 

"Looking back at the last TWO YEARS (?!) with you during this quarantine is giving me all the feels. I love you with my whole entire heart. I love you for pushing me to be a better person. I love you for always doing the right thing. I love you for not being impressed by BS and seeing straight through it," Naomie wrote. "I love how much you love your friends and family. I love your focus and how hard you work, yet never complain. I love your dance moves. I love your thick-ass coke bottle glasses people rarely see you in. I love that mosquitos leave me alone when I’m with you because they all bite you instead. Okay now pls make a tik tok with me. Happy two years [Metul]."