In the season three finale of “The Kardashians,” Tristan Thompson paid tribute to his late mother, Andrea Thompson, who died suddenly on Jan. 5. In the July 27 episode, Khloé and the Kardashian family reacted to the news of Andrea’s death and Tristan thanked them for their support. He said, “I don’t know what I’d do without you guys.”
Later in the episode, Tristan reflected on his mom’s legacy. “She helped a lot of people and [will be] remembered for a lot of really great things,” he shared, adding that she’d helped him succeed in his basketball career, too. “She was [so proud],” he said, recalling how Andrea could be seen “standing up at the front, screaming” during many of his games.
Also during the finale, Khloé confirmed that she and Tristan — who share a daughter named True and a son named Tatum — are “not back together,” but noted that she and Andrea “spoke every single day” and said that she wanted to be there for Tristan in the wake of the tragedy. “This is what family does,” Khloé said. “This is what family does when sh*t hits the fan. Tristan and I are family and we’re gonna be family for the rest of our lives.”
Khloé also reflected on the loss she’s experienced in her own life after losing her father, Robert Kardashian, who died in 2003. “Tristan is the father of my kids,” she continued. “I’ve lost my dad . . . still, I can’t wrap my head around losing my mom, and I know how close Tristan and his mom are.”
Back in February, a month after his mother’s death, Tristan shared a touching tribute to his mom on Instagram. In the emotional post, the NBA star called his mom a hero and wrote about how difficult the past month had been for him.
“Dearest mommy in heaven,” he wrote alongside a carousel of photos featuring his mother with him and his brothers, with his ex Khloé Kardashian, and with their daughter, True. “It has been one month since you’ve been gone. I’m in disbelief. I’m in the deepest part of sorrow & grief.”
He continued, “My soul is empty as I come to terms that my biggest supporter/superhero is gone. I cannot thank you enough for always being a woman of faith, being one of Gods warriors, fighting back with whatever the world threw our way. You constantly protected us through prayer. My hero you fought all the battles you needed to and it was time for you to go home.”
Andrea was laid to rest in Toronto on Jan. 14. In addition to Tristan, she was also mom to Daniel, Dishawn, and Amari, who is still in his teens and has epilepsy. In his tribute, 32-year-old Tristan promised he would look out for his little brother, while also vowing to be the man his mother always knew he could be.
“Stay tuned to the ways I will show the world what an amazing son you raised,” he added in his post. “I will show you that even when we fall & make mistakes, we get back up. You are my motivation. Stand beside me as I become the man I know you always believed in. Im going to make you proud, I promise!”
“Stand beside me as I become the man I know you always believed in. Im going to make you proud, I promise!”
In the days after his mother’s death, the Kardashian-Jenner family stepped up for Tristan and his family in a big way. According to pictures obtained by TMZ from Andrea’s funeral, Khloé and her sister Kim Kardashian attended the funeral to pay their respects to Tristan’s mother. The funeral was also attended by Tristan’s friends and family, including Drake.
On Jan. 24, Khloé spoke about Andrea’s passing and the relationship they shared. In an Instagram tribute featuring various photos and videos with Andrea, Khloé shared how painful Andrea’s death has been to process.
“I have been avoiding this. . . . Avoiding accepting this is real,” Khloé wrote. “I have so much to say but nothing at all. . . . I have so many emotions and still I feel numb. Life can be brutally unfair at times and this has been one of the toughest times in so many of our lives.”
She went on to share how fortunate she felt to have had Andrea in her life. “At the same time, I feel blessed that I am lucky to have had someone that makes saying goodbye so incredibly difficult,” she wrote. “So difficult that I’m choosing not to say goodbye for good because that is something I cannot fathom. Goodbyes for good are something I don’t believe in. I KNOW I will see you again. I know I will hear your sweet voice and infectious laugh again. I know I’ll get to feel that embrace of yours. I’ll see you again with the many that have gone before you that I so desperately miss, love and cherish. So, I’m choosing to say, that until I see you again in Heaven, I miss you and I will continue to miss you more and more every single day.”
Khloé concluded: “I know you are with our Lord and Savior. I know you are rejoicing up there. Dancing and singing and probably yelling ‘who does that!!’ because we are crying at your loss. At the same time, I know you never wanted to leave your boys. They are your entire world. They will learn to live with the hole in their hearts because they are warriors just like their warrior mommy. Just know, I promise you, Amari will be perfectly ok. We will all look after him, help him and protect him. Your boys will be ok because they have their guardian Angel by their side.
“‘So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.’ John 16:22.
“I love you 🤍 I love you 🤍 I love you 🤍💔🥹🕊️.”
On Jan. 6, shortly after news of his mother’s death broke, E! News reported that a source said Khloé joined Tristan to “comfort and help him navigate what will be a very difficult time.” While the exes have had their ups and downs in the past, they coparent 5-year-old True and their infant son Tatum together.
“She was incredibly close to his mother, and like Khloé and the Kardashian family always do, they will come together and support their loved ones in their most difficult time of need,” the source added. “Tristan is the father of Khloe’s kids and she and her entire family will always be there for him.”
In addition to Khloé, Kris has also been supportive of Tristan and his family. On Jan. 6, she paid tribute to Andrea on Instagram. In her post, she shared a collection of photos featuring Tristan’s mom at a variety of Kardashian-Jenner family events alongside a caption praising her dedication to her family.
“I am so heartbroken by the sudden passing of Tristan’s mom, Andrea. My thoughts, prayers and all of my love are with Tristan, Amari, Dishawn and Daniel,” Jenner wrote. “You were the most amazing, dedicated, devoted, and selfless mom and such a loving, kind, and fabulous grandmother. What a blessing you were to your family!!! I will miss you Andrea. I will miss your bright spirit and amazing light. Thank you for always praying for us and lifting us up and encouraging us along the way. Rest in peace beautiful angel.”
Over the years, Tristan has been open about the sacrifices his mother made to ensure his dream of playing professional basketball came true. On Mother’s Day in 2020, the NBA player shared a video of his mom on Instagram alongside a caption thanking her for always being by his side. “Happy Mother’s Day Mommy!” he wrote.
“One day isn’t enough to praise and lift you high. Everyday is your day. Thank you for all the sacrifices you made for me and my brothers. I love you and I’m soo lucky to have been chosen as your son❤️. Not all superheroes wear capes.”
He echoed that sentiment in his February Instagram tribute, writing: “As the tears roll down my face, all I can ask is please continue to be my light. mommy, you’re my guardian angel and I’ll forever praise you. I love you mommy. I can’t wait to see you and when I do I’m going to run and give you the biggest hug and kiss. I promise to make you proud.
“Til we meet again.
“Your first born, Tristan.”