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Jackie Siegel, known for appearing in the 2012 documentary The Queen of Versailles, reflected on her husband and sister's sudden deaths in the span of 3 days. The reality star and socialite sat down for an interview with US Weekly on April 16 and shared her thoughts.
For the unversed, Jackie Siegel's husband, David Siegel, was the founder of Westgate Resorts. The 89-year-old passed away on April 5 after battling cancer. On April 8, her sister Jessica Mallery passed away from substance abuse.
Calling the two her "guardian angels," Siegel told the media outlet that she feels comforted knowing that they are together in the afterlife and try to guide her from time to time.
"It comforts me to know that she was there to greet him. Now I know I have extra guardian angels and guidance. Sometimes I feel them, because when you get gut feelings, like, 'Should I do this?' or, 'Should I turn left or should I turn right?' It's like, 'I think I'll turn right,' and then you get goosebumps. So I have that special touch right now," she said.
Jackie Siegel revealed her sister's organs were donated
Jackie Siegel told US Weekly in an exclusive interview that she had decided to donate her sister Jessica's organs. She stated that after Mallery was found dead, taking cocaine laced with fentanyl on April 8, within two days, seven critical organs were donated.
She told the media outlet that slowly, her work was expanding as she went from educating people on drug abuse to advocating for organ donation.
"We felt comfort in donating her organs. Within two days they donated seven of the critical organs that saved lives. That's why I'm saying my life is expanding — it's not just lives from education of fentanyl, but also to have people be aware about how important donating organs is," Siegel said.
Siegel expressed that, along with Jessica's critical organs, her skin was also donated, and in total, she might help 60 people after her death. She stated that both her husband and sister are saving lives in different ways.
"She's going to give someone eyesight with her eyes. We donated her skin for burn patients and skin cancer victims. She's going to be able to help 60 people. She's touching so many people's lives. She's still saving lives even after death. So was my husband, still, just both in different ways," she said.
On April 9, Jackie Siegel's nonprofit Victoria's Voice Foundation released a statement on its Instagram page. In it, they promised to raise awareness on drug abuse in Mallery's honor.
"Our work at Victoria’s Voice remains more critical than ever, and in her memory, we will continue to raise awareness and advocate every single day until this form of grief is a distant memory in this country," the statement reads.
Victoria's Voice Foundation was founded in 2019 in honor of David and Jackie Siegel's daughter Victoria, who passed away in 2016 after a drug overdose.
