'Southern Charm' Star Patricia Altschul's Beloved Butler Michael Kelcourse Dies at 71 After Long Health Battle

Mar. 15, 2025

Southern Charm’s Patricia Altschul former butler Michael Kelcourse.Photo: Michael Kelcourse/Instagram

Southern Charm’sMichael Kelcourse, who became a fan favorite in his role as butler to Charleston doyennePatricia Altschul, has died. He was 71.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved Michael, who left us yesterday morning in Sarasota,” Altschul’s post began. “More than just a devoted butler, he was a trusted friend, confidant, and member of our family for over 20 years.”

After his stroke earlier this month, which Altschul, 83, told followers about in an Instagrampost, she encouraged fans to send cards to Kelcourse in honor of his 71st birthday on Oct. 13 and as part of his recovery.

“We are sure he would love to receive your birthday and well wishes,” she wrote. “I know he means so much to so many of you.”

Kelcourse, who appeared on the Bravo reality series through season 7, had also previouslysuffered an acute spinal cord strokein 2021 and recovered in Atlanta before moving to an assistant living home in Florida.

Kelcourse went into the service profession after helping out at a local theater during high school in Michigan.

“I loved it and was invited back for every event, but didn’t know that I could make a career of it,” he said. “At age 23, my Dad arranged for me to be an apprentice at a gourmet restaurant in Ireland. This really planted the seed of being in service. After the apprenticeship, I enrolled in a nursing program but wound up being busy doing what I loved and getting paid so much that I didn’t finish.”

Jenn Cady

Kelcourse relocated to Palm Beach, Florida, to work with Eleanor Purviance Bostwick, whose husband co-founded Standard Oil with John D. Rockefeller. After Bostwick’s death in 2004, Altschul approached Kelcourse about working for her.

Kelcourse devoted himself fully to serving Altschul, making her martinis, taking care of her dogs and helping her host dinner parties for herSouthern Charmcostars. He even spent his days off with Altschul.

“On my day off I usually come over and look after Mrs. A anyway because she’s such a nice person,” Kelcourse toldDeciderin 2019.

Altschul’s sonWhitney Sudler-Smithrecognized Kelcourse’s dedication to his mother.

“He’s devoted to mom,” Sudler-Smith toldBravo’sThe Daily Dish. “He’s the nicest guy in the world. He’s invaluable to my mom because he helps with her coterie of animals.”

Kelcourse frequently appeared onSouthern Charm, serving champagne to Altschul and her guests, chaperoning Altschul around Charleston and taking her through the McDonald’s drive-through.

Patricia Altschul/Instagram

Kelcourse worked with Altschul through the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic until he suffered an acute spinal cord stroke in February 2021 and received treatment at the Shepherd Spinal Center in Atlanta.

Kelcourse posted about his “graduation” from Shepherd Spinal Center in August 2021 and shared his appreciation for the staff on Instagram.

“The amazing beyond Therapy staff I can’t thank them enough,“he wrotein October 2021.

Kelcourse visited Los Angeles beforemoving into Angels Senior Livingin Sarasota, where he enjoyed doing karaoke. Kelcourse also committed himself to relearning to walk with the help of Abilities Recovery Center. “I’m committed to walking again,” he posted onInstagramin January 2022.

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In theseason 8 premiereofSouthern Charmthat aired in June 2022, Altschul recalled her reaction to learning about Kelcourse’s stroke.

In her Instagram post announcing his death, she told fans she will be “devoting this week to remembering Michael. I know he meant so much to so many of you, as he did to us. He will be greatly missed.”

source: people.com