Tiger Woods’ ex-mistress Rachel Uchitel shares somber remembrance of fiancé killed in 9/11 attacks: ’23 years ago I lost the love of my life’

On Wednesday, Rachel Uchitel took a poignant moment to reflect on a deeply painful chapter of her life as she marked the 23rd anniversary of the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center. The 49-year-old podcast host, who gained widespread attention as Tiger Woods’ former mistress, paid heartfelt tribute to her late fiancé, James Andrew O’Grady, who was tragically killed when the South Tower of the World Trade Center collapsed on the morning of September 11, 2001.

 

In an emotional Instagram post, Uchitel shared a video that took viewers back to the aftermath of the terrorist attacks. The video, set to somber piano music, featured footage from the days immediately following the attacks and showed Uchitel, then just 26 years old, holding up missing person posters with O’Grady’s face. The contrast between her visibly distraught demeanor and the smiling photos of her fiancé highlighted the profound loss she experienced.

 

The video began with Uchitel’s voice breaking as she recounted the immense grief of losing “the love of [her] life,” Andy O’Grady. She poignantly described her heartbreak and desperation: “This is my fiancé. I’d planned my whole future out with this person. If I don’t find him, I have to start all over again. It’s taken my whole life to find him,” she said, struggling to hold back tears. “And I don’t know what I will do without him.” Her voice cracked with emotion as she pleaded for help in finding him, a desperate call for any shred of hope amid the chaos.

 

The video included a notable New York Post cover that featured a heart-wrenching photo of Uchitel in tears, clutching the missing person flyers. The headline read “New York’s Tragic Face,” capturing the profound sadness of her situation.

 

As the video progressed, Uchitel shifted focus to celebrate O’Grady’s life. It featured warm, affectionate photos of him, including moments of joy and tenderness between the couple. The video concluded with a simple but powerful tribute: “May 9th 1969 – Sept. 11th 2001,” underscoring the brevity of his life and the depth of the loss felt by those who knew him.

 

O’Grady, originally from New Jersey, was a notable figure in his own right. He had been a competitive swimmer at UCLA from 1988 to 1991, where he achieved the role of co-captain in his final year and continued on as a graduate assistant. After completing his college education, O’Grady returned to the East Coast and began working as a managing director at the investment banking firm Sandler O’Neill & Partners, which was located on the 104th floor of the South Tower.

 

In a tragic twist, O’Grady and Uchitel had only recently become engaged on August 5, 2001, with plans to marry on May 4, 2002. Their future together was abruptly and violently cut short when the World Trade Center was attacked. The first plane struck the North Tower, and O’Grady’s building, the South Tower, was hit 17 minutes later. It was the first of the two towers to collapse.

 

In her Instagram post, Uchitel recalled the harrowing experience of watching the footage of the towers being hit as part of her job with Bloomberg News. She recounted the agonizing moments after the first plane hit when she called O’Grady, who had reported that no evacuation was taking place at the time. The situation grew increasingly dire when she spoke to him later that morning. O’Grady described the chaos around him and the horrifying sight of someone jumping from the building, which underscored the gravity of the situation.

 

Uchitel vividly remembered watching the South Tower collapse and the overwhelming silence that fell over the newsroom, where she was working. The silence, she noted, was palpable as her colleagues witnessed her anguish in real-time. Despite ongoing hope that O’Grady might have survived, it soon became evident that there was “no hope” left.

 

The impact of O’Grady’s death was transformative for Uchitel. She reflected on how this tragedy changed her life irreparably. Having found the love of her life and planned a future together, the sudden and violent end left her grappling with profound despair. “The despair of not knowing was beyond words,” Uchitel wrote.

 

In her Instagram caption, Uchitel also shared her ongoing memories of O’Grady, including his smile and voice, which continue to resonate with her. The video of her searching for him, filmed outside Bellevue Hospital as she desperately sought information, remains a stark reminder of her pain. Uchitel recalled the immense outpouring of support from strangers around the world following the publication of her photo and the coverage of her search.

 

Uchitel concluded her tribute with a heartfelt acknowledgment of the honor it was to have been loved by James Andrew O’Grady. She expressed her gratitude that, due to the widespread media coverage, more people now know his name and remember his legacy. Her post was a moving testament to the enduring impact of her fiancé’s life and the profound sorrow of his loss.