Nearly a year after losing her husband, Candice Miller is still trying to piece her life back together—mentally, emotionally, and financially.
The social media influencer and former luxury lifestyle blogger recently made headlines again, but not for her glamorous fashion or high-profile friendships.
This time, it was because she didn’t attend her late husband’s tombstone unveiling, a decision that’s stirred both sympathy and criticism.
A Painful No-Show at a Family Gathering
Last weekend in Long Island, family members of late financier Brandon Miller gathered for an intimate ceremony to unveil his tombstone.
But noticeably absent from the gathering was his widow, Candice.
According to a close friend, the 43-year-old was simply too overwhelmed to face the moment.
“She’s still processing everything,” the friend shared.
“It’s not that she doesn’t care—it’s that she’s protecting her mental health right now. The grief is still very raw.”
While some family members said they understood, others took her absence personally.
One relative told DailyMail.com they were “disappointed and disheartened,” feeling Brandon deserved more from the woman he spent over a decade with.
A Once-Perfect Life Turned Upside Down
Candice and Brandon appeared to be living the dream.
They shared two daughters and split their time between New York and the Hamptons.
Candice, alongside her sister Jenna, ran a luxury lifestyle blog, Mama & Tata, showcasing designer clothes, jet-set vacations, and celebrity cameos from the likes of Ivanka Trump and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.
But that picture-perfect world unraveled on July 3, 2024.
While Candice and the girls vacationed in Italy, Brandon died by suicide at their $12 million mansion in the Hamptons.
He was found in the garage, and his death was later ruled a carbon monoxide poisoning.
A note left behind revealed his despair over mounting financial pressure and a business deal gone wrong.
Shocked by Debt and Scrambling to Survive
Despite their glamorous lifestyle, Brandon had just $8,000 in the bank at the time of his death—but owed tens of millions.
In fact, the total debt left behind reached over $33 million. Friends say Candice was blindsided.
She had reportedly never been involved in her husband’s financial affairs.
She received a $15 million life insurance payout, but even that hasn’t made her financially comfortable.
According to those close to her, she’s now renting a condo in Miami and has resorted to selling furniture and household items online at discounted prices just to get by.
“She’s embarrassed,” said a friend in Florida. “She was always proud and independent.
She didn’t expect to be in this position and feels like people are judging her unfairly.”
Trying to Move Forward, One Step at a Time
In her effort to reclaim some stability, Candice has recently started a new chapter.
Earlier this month, she announced on Instagram that she’s now a certified professional life coach.
The post included a hopeful quote, often attributed to French philosopher Albert Camus: “In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.”
She added, “No matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger—something better—pushing right back.”
Finding Meaning in the Aftermath
While the world may have known Candice as a glamorous influencer, today she’s just a woman trying to rebuild her life after unimaginable loss.
From letting go of her former lifestyle to embracing a quieter existence focused on healing and parenting, her journey is far from over.
And though she missed the tombstone unveiling, those close to her hope that, in time, healing will allow her to reconnect with the past—on her own terms.
