Rachel Hollis reacts to the death of her ex-husband, former Disney executive Dave Hollis: ‘My heart is too broken’

New York Times Best-selling author and CEO of Multimedia Hollis Company, Rachel Hollis, took to social media today to open up about the sudden loss of her ex-husband, former Disney President of Global Distribution Dave Hollis.

Dave Hollis died on Saturday at the age of 47. No cause of death has been determined, but the family confirmed the former Disney executive was hospitalized with heart problems.

“We are devastated,” Rachel Hollis wrote on Instagram. “I have no words and my heart is too broken to find them.”

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She added: “Please keep the children in prayers as we try to navigate the unthinkable.”

Dave Hollis leaves behind four children.

News of Dave Hollis’ death shocked the distribution community. The 17-year Disney vet led Disney’s film franchise through the pre-Fox merger and Disney+ heyday with franchise highlights Star Wars: The Force Awakens And Avengers: Infinite War. His box office record has been more than impeccable, setting $7 billion worldwide in 2016, $6 billion in 2017 and a seven-year tenure during which 12 Disney releases grossed more than $1 billion at the global box office, several all-time records in the operating in office and more than $2 billion (power awakens). More than that, Hollis was known for his razor-sharp business acumen, good personality and charismatic personality.

Then at CinemaCon 2018, Disney chairman Alan Horn described the outgoing Hollis as “an equal” with former Warner Bros. Disney sales executive Dan Fellman.

“When I left, I thought I’d never see his example, but I did and it’s Dave Hollis,” Horn exclaimed at CinemaCon that year.

Hollis left Disney in June 2018 to work for and oversee his then-wife Rachel’s multimedia empire, which includes motivational talks, books, self-help podcasts and entrepreneurial ventures. He oversaw the theatrical release of her Fathom Events documentary Rachel Hollis presents: Made for more in August 2018. The doctor followed it girl wash your face Writer about realizing her dream to produce the RISE conference series, which brought together women who don’t look alike, vote or do alike in a supportive and inspiring community.

Dave Hollis was inspired by Rachel and wrote his own self-help book called ” go out of your way In it, he said of his rise as head of Disney sales: “I started going straight and didn’t have to go to college. As the roster continued to grow and teams made their strides, hits became more frequent and the fleeting effort required to make sales made me feel something I hadn’t been able to pinpoint for a long time. I received the biggest bonuses of my life, the biggest recognition of my career and the envy of others who had to work harder to do similar work at other studios, and yet the contrast made me unhappy.

Later in that chapter, Hollis wrote, “In what many considered a crazy move, I quit. I left a great job full of security and a guaranteed multi-million dollar annual salary and a position of prestige and established prestige. I ran away to chase dreams with my wife. Before her amazing book sold a single copy, we took a leap of faith and made the decision to move our family from LA to a small town south of Relocating to Austin, Texas.

Dave Hollis and Rachel Hollis later divorced. But Dave would continue to write. In 2021 he wrote his second self-help book, Built by courage: Face your fears to live the life you were meant to live, documenting his public breakdown and his own awakening. He also wrote the children’s book Here are your dreams. On social media, Dave Hollis constantly posts about work with his church, life with his kids, exercise, and life with his partner, fitness influencer and author Heidi Powell.

One of Dave Holli’s last messages was from his daughter fishing.

“From a freeze to a pair of shorts in less than 48 hours. Today was a good day,” he wrote.