Larisha Paul
Contact Larisha Paul on X View all posts by Larisha Paul June 17, 2026
Nena Thurman, Robert Thurman and Uma Thurman Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage Robert Thurman, father to actress Uma Thurman and the co-founder of the cultural institution Tibet House in New York City, has died at the age of 84.
Thurman’s death was announced via social media by Tibet House, which wrote, “We are deeply saddened to announce that Robert A.F. Thurman, prominent American Buddhist scholar, co-founder of Tibet House US, author and translator whose teachings shaped countless lives, died Tuesday morning, June 16, in Woodstock, New York.”
The post was captioned with the phrase “Om Mani Padme Hum,” a Sanskrit mantra that translates to “praise to the jewel in the lotus.” Thurman co-founded Tibet House in 1987 with the mission of preserving Tibetan culture. Over the years, the institution has hosted annual benefit concerts with appearances from artists like Patti Smith, FKA Twigs, David Byrne, Billy Corgan, and more.
