Diplo’s mother dies just one month after his sister: ‘Cosmic gut punch’
Diplo announced the death of his mother, Barbara Pentz, on Thursday — just one month after his older sister died.
“My momma just passed away. i would trade a kidney to take away the cosmic gut punch I feel right now,” tweeted the “Heartbroken” DJ and producer, whose real name is Thomas Pentz.
“I cried in the airport bathroom I made small puddle and then almost slipped. Now I’m gonna walk into the ocean and look for a shark to fight, might be the only cure for grief.”
Diplo, 44, also mourned on Instagram, where he shared a carousel of throwback pictures of his beloved mother, who died Wednesday at the age of 73.
A cause of death was not shared.
“She was my first love, first woman in my life. Even as a grown man it’s a cosmic gut punch to lose your mother,” Diplo wrote.
The three-time Grammy winner continued to praise his mother for always supporting his music, although she “didn’t even understand it all.”
“She gave me all the confidence in the world & she supported me with all her energy. even when i (sic) broke and had nothing,” he wrote. “She was on my myspace promoting me as Djmom1 ! 😌 Every time I come home she was there on her oxygen mask and chair wearing my 2XL merch.”
He continued: “Some times it was so silly but she loved everything about me. she told me how handsome I was when ever she saw me. She was my number one everything and I could never do anything wrong in her eyes. I really did light up her life.”
The “Lonely” DJ added that Pentz would be “so proud” of Diplo’s young sons, Lockett, Lazer, and Pace.
He cherished their family time in Florida, where they mourned Diplo’s sister, Amy Christopher, who died on July 23 at the age of 48.
“My sister died in July and I think she brought our family together more than we have ever been. My mom was suffering a lot in her soul but also her body was fighting a fight she wasnt going to win,” he wrote.
Christopher’s obituary does not mention a cause of death.
Diplo claims his mom “knew” his father, Tom, and other sister, Kelly, would be OK.
“She needed to be with my sister Amy somewhere better,” Diplo explained of his mom.
“I miss you Barbara Jean, you were the brightest light in my life,” he ended his tribute. “I just had a ten minute cry in the bathroom at CDG airport sorry to the Janitor.”
The “Lean On” hitmaker has a slew of performances on the calendar, including a headlining spot at the La Clairière X Higher Ground festival in Paris on Friday.
The Post has contacted reps for Diplo to see if he will perform as scheduled.
