Murder Inc. co-founder Chris Gotti has offered new details on his brother Irv Gotti’s death at 54.
Speaking with 2 Way Tonight, he described the fatal stroke—his second that year—worsened by complications from diabetes. He started by outlining Irv’s health struggles in recent years: “He was diagnosed when he was in his 40s, but Irv doesn’t go to the doctor. That’s why he was late being diagnosed. When he finally did go get a real physical and a check-up, they’re like, ‘You’re diabetic.’” Chris continued, “Irv did go on his terms. He just didn’t believe it and basically he ate a bunch of Chinese food while playing poker and had a massive hemorrhagic stroke, which is bleeding in the brain.”
Honoring Irv: A Life Lost, a Legacy Lives On
Though an official cause of death remains unconfirmed, Chris bluntly attributed the influential producer and label boss’s passing to “food.” “Power, having a crew, dressing well, none of that keeps you alive, but the thing that keeps me going, all the people that look at me as strong, I don’t want them to have to wash my behind. I couldn’t even fathom seeing Irv like that,” he stated. “I wish he would have fought hard for his health. When I lose people it makes me love life and appreciate it more.”
Irv’s funeral took place in New York last week, drawing figures like Ja Rule and JAY-Z. At the service, Ja delivered a heartfelt tribute to his longtime friend and former label chief. “Irv, I love you. Everyone in this room loves you. You touched everybody in your own way. I know everybody has their moments of that with him. We’re all here in celebration of your life because it will live on forever. I love you my brother. See you when I get there,” he remarked. Gotti, who survived two strokes in two years, has been vocal about his diabetes battle, which recently forced a drastic dietary shift.
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