For Eric Bolling, a prominent television personality and political commentator, the past eight years have been a heartrending odyssey marked by profound loss. The sudden death of his son, Chase Bolling, in 2017 cast a long shadow over his life, leaving him and his wife, Adrienne, grappling with an unimaginable void. Yet, in a moment of radiant hope, the couple recently welcomed a new addition to their family—a baby girl—bringing a sense of renewal and joy after years of sorrow. This is the story of Bolling’s journey through grief, resilience, and the unexpected gift of a new beginning.
A Devastating Loss
In September 2017, Eric Bolling’s world was shattered when his 19-year-old son, Chase, passed away unexpectedly. Chase, a bright and ambitious college student at the University of Colorado, was the only child of Eric and Adrienne. His death, later revealed to be the result of an accidental drug overdose, sent shockwaves through the Bolling family and their wide circle of friends, colleagues, and viewers who had come to know Eric through his work on Fox News and other media platforms.
At the time, Bolling was a well-known figure, having co-hosted The Five and anchored Fox News Specialists. His brash yet affable on-air persona belied a deeply personal side—a devoted father who frequently spoke of his pride in Chase’s accomplishments, from his academic achievements to his love of sports. The loss of his son not only devastated Bolling personally but also derailed his professional life. Shortly after Chase’s death, Bolling parted ways with Fox News amid unrelated allegations, compounding the family’s turmoil.
In the months that followed, Bolling and his wife retreated from the public eye, focusing on healing and honoring their son’s memory. “Losing Chase was like losing a part of my soul,” Bolling wrote in a heartfelt social media post in 2018. “There’s no playbook for this kind of pain, but Adrienne and I are holding on to each other and trying to find a way forward.”
A Public Yet Private Grief
As a public figure, Bolling faced the unique challenge of mourning under the scrutiny of the media and his audience. While he initially stepped back from television, he gradually began to share his story, using his platform to raise awareness about the opioid crisis that claimed his son’s life. In interviews and op-eds, Bolling spoke candidly about the dangers of addiction, emphasizing that Chase’s death was not a reflection of personal failure but a symptom of a broader epidemic.
“Chase was a good kid with a bright future,” Bolling told People magazine in 2019. “He made a mistake, like so many young people do, and it cost him his life. If I can save one family from going through what we’ve endured, it’s worth every ounce of effort.”
Bolling’s advocacy work became a lifeline, giving him purpose amid his grief. He and Adrienne established the Chase Bolling Memorial Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting addiction recovery programs and educating young people about the risks of substance abuse. The foundation’s annual gala, held in Chase’s hometown of Morristown, New Jersey, has raised millions for prevention and treatment initiatives.
Yet, behind the public efforts, Bolling and Adrienne faced a private struggle. Friends close to the couple described their grief as a constant companion, softened only by their unwavering commitment to each other. “Eric and Adrienne are incredibly strong, but losing Chase changed them,” said a longtime friend who spoke on condition of anonymity. “They leaned on their faith and their marriage to get through the darkest days.”
The Decision to Try Again
For years, the Bollings believed their family would remain incomplete, forever marked by the absence of their son. The idea of having another child seemed both daunting and distant, given their ages—Eric is now 62, and Adrienne is 57—and the emotional weight of their loss. However, as time passed, the couple began to entertain the possibility of expanding their family, a decision fueled by a desire to embrace life anew.
In a recent interview with Good Morning America, Bolling shared that the decision to welcome another child was not made lightly. “Adrienne and I talked about it for a long time,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “We knew nothing could replace Chase, but we also felt this pull to open our hearts again. It was about hope, about believing that joy could coexist with our grief.”
The couple turned to in vitro fertilization (IVF), a process that presented its own challenges. After several rounds of treatment, they received the life-changing news that Adrienne was pregnant. “It felt like a miracle,” Bolling recalled. “We were cautious, knowing how fragile these things can be, but every ultrasound, every milestone, brought us closer to this incredible moment.”
A New Light: Welcoming Their Daughter
On June 12, 2025, Eric and Adrienne Bolling welcomed their daughter, Grace Elizabeth Bolling, into the world. Born at Morristown Medical Center, Grace weighed 7 pounds, 2 ounces, and was declared healthy by her doctors. The couple announced her arrival on social media, sharing a photo of the newborn swaddled in a soft pink blanket, her tiny hand curled around Adrienne’s finger.
“After eight years of heartache, God has blessed us with a new light,” Bolling wrote in the caption. “Grace Elizabeth, you are our miracle, and we promise to love you with all we have. Chase, we know you’re watching over your little sister.”
The announcement was met with an outpouring of support from fans, colleagues, and fellow public figures. “Eric and Adrienne’s strength is an inspiration,” tweeted Newsmax host Greg Kelly. “Welcome to the world, Grace!” Others praised the couple for their courage in embracing parenthood again, with one follower commenting, “This is a beautiful reminder that love can heal even the deepest wounds.”
For Bolling, Grace’s arrival has been a transformative experience. In a recent episode of his Newsmax program, The Balance, he spoke openly about the joy of fatherhood at this stage of life. “Holding Grace, I feel Chase’s presence in a way I can’t explain,” he said, pausing to collect himself. “It’s like he’s part of this moment, part of her. I’m a different man because of her.”
A Family Reborn
Grace’s birth marks a new chapter for the Bolling family, one defined not by the erasure of their loss but by the courage to embrace life despite it. Friends say the couple is relishing their roles as parents, with Eric eagerly taking on late-night feedings and Adrienne decorating Grace’s nursery with touches that honor Chase, including a framed photo of him as a baby.
The Bollings have also been candid about the challenges of parenting later in life. “We’re not spring chickens anymore,” Bolling quipped in a recent podcast. “But there’s something special about this season of life. You appreciate every moment so much more.” Adrienne, who has taken a step back from her own career to focus on motherhood, has expressed gratitude for the support of their community, from neighbors who drop off meals to the medical team that guided them through the IVF process.
Honoring Chase’s Legacy
Even as they celebrate Grace’s arrival, the Bollings remain committed to honoring Chase’s memory. The Chase Bolling Memorial Foundation continues to thrive, with plans to expand its outreach in 2026. Bolling has also hinted at a forthcoming book, tentatively titled From Loss to Light, which will chronicle his journey through grief and the unexpected gift of his daughter.
“Chase is with us every day,” Bolling said in a recent statement. “Grace doesn’t replace him—she adds to our story. We’re teaching her about her big brother, and we know he’s proud of the family we’ve become.”
A Message of Hope
Eric Bolling’s story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Eight years after the tragedy that reshaped his life, he and Adrienne have found a way to carry their grief while embracing the promise of tomorrow. Grace Elizabeth Bolling, with her bright eyes and infectious smile, is a living symbol of that hope—a reminder that even in the wake of unimaginable loss, new beginnings are possible.
As Bolling navigates this new chapter, he carries a message for others who may be walking a similar path. “Grief doesn’t have an expiration date, but neither does love,” he told Good Morning America. “If you’re hurting, hold on. There’s light on the other side, even if you can’t see it yet.”
For Eric and Adrienne Bolling, that light has arrived in the form of a little girl named Grace, whose laughter fills their home and whose presence reminds them that love, in all its forms, endures.