Chester Bennington's widow's new fianc is revealed to be firefighter, 36

Publish date: 2024-07-07

Chester Bennington's widow has been seen for the first time since announcing her engagement and DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal who the mystery man is. 

Talinda Bennington flashed a sparkling diamond ring while taking a hike with LA County firefighter Michael Moshe Friedman, 36, in Southern California on Friday.

The 42-year-old, who was married to the Linkin Park frontman from 2005 to 2017, announced the engagement on social media last week. 

The late musician shocked the world when he died by suicide aged 41 in the couple's Palos Verde home in July 2017, while his wife and their three children were out of town.

On Saturday, Talinda wrote on Instagram that there was 'love after tragedy,' adding: 'A death of a soulmate does not mean the death of you. I will continue to honor Chester and continue my life's mission to make his passing not in vein [sic].'

Talinda Bennington, the widow of Chester Bennington, has been seen for the first time since announcing she was engaged. DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal she's engaged to LA County firefighter Michael Moshe Friedman, 36 (pictured together)

Talinda Bennington, the widow of Chester Bennington, has been seen for the first time since announcing she was engaged. DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal she's engaged to LA County firefighter Michael Moshe Friedman, 36 (pictured together) 

The new couple were seen taking a cliff-side hike in Southern California on Friday morning The 42-year-old, who was married to the Linkin Park frontman from 2005 to 2017, announced the engagement on social media last Saturday

The new couple were seen taking a cliff-side hike in Southern California on Friday morning

The mother of three of the singer's six children had her new sparking engagement ring on full display while she got some exercise with her future husband, who she called an 'angel on earth' in last week's engagement announcement

The mother of three of the singer's six children had her new sparking engagement ring on full display while she got some exercise with her future husband, who she called an 'angel on earth' in last week's engagement announcement

Bennington shocked the world when he died by suicide at the age of 41 in the couple's Palos Verde home in July 2017, while his wife and their three children were still out of town

Bennington shocked the world when he died by suicide at the age of 41 in the couple's Palos Verde home in July 2017, while his wife and their three children were still out of town

Friedman joined the County of Los Angeles Fire Department after 17 weeks of intensive physical and mental training. He was one of 46 who received badges in a graduation ceremony in February 2016. 

The mother of three of the singer's six children had her new engagement ring on full display while she got some exercise with her future husband, who she called an 'angel on earth' in last week's engagement announcement.

In her post, she mentioned that her 'family, friends and my Linkin Park brothers welcome him to the family with open arms.'

She then directed her words to all suicide loss survivors to tell them that 'you can be happy again. You can have space in your heart for grief, joy, happiness, sadness, and love love.' 

Talinda also took to Instagram and announced in a video that she was heading to Geneva, Switzerland to meet with the World Health Organization this week to collaborate on mental health education and suicide prevention and awareness.  

Her posts came ahead of World Suicide Prevent Day, which was on September 10.

Since Bennington's death, Talinda has made it her mission to help shine a light on suicide and mental health as a whole with her work as executive adviser for the Campaign To Change Direction and as co-founder of 320 Changes Direction. 

The Linkin Park singer had been very open about his battles with depression, alcohol and drug abuse over the years. 

Since Bennington's death, Talinda (pictured with her late husband) has made it her mission to help shine a light on suicide and mental health as a whole with her work as executive adviser for the Campaign To Change Direction and as co-founder of 320 Changes Direction

Since Bennington's death, Talinda (pictured with her late husband) has made it her mission to help shine a light on suicide and mental health as a whole with her work as executive adviser for the Campaign To Change Direction and as co-founder of 320 Changes Direction 

In Talinda's engagement post (pictured) she mentioned that her 'family, friends and my Linkin Park brothers welcome him to the family with open arms.' She then directed her words to all suicide loss survivors to tell them that 'you can be happy again. You can have space in your heart for grief, joy, happiness, sadness, and love love'

In Talinda's engagement post (pictured) she mentioned that her 'family, friends and my Linkin Park brothers welcome him to the family with open arms.' She then directed her words to all suicide loss survivors to tell them that 'you can be happy again. You can have space in your heart for grief, joy, happiness, sadness, and love love' 

Linkin Park were thrust into the spotlight in 2000 with the huge success of their debut studio album Hybrid Theory. 

It has gone on to sell more than 30 million copies worldwide, which makes it one of the best-selling debuts of all-time.

In July, Bennington's mother Susan shared a poignant last moment with her son in a touching tribute shared on social media on the two-year anniversary of his death.

'The last kiss I ever got from my wonderful boy!'  she wrote on Twitter alongside a photo of the pair sharing a kiss. 

'There are no words to explain how much I miss him! I want us to all celebrate his life today! Love you all! Please take care and celebrate Chester’s life today! He would want us to celebrate!' she added.

Talinda also commemorated the difficult anniversary with a message of her own. 

Speaking to camera, the 42-year-old beauty revealed that she had been inundated with messages of love and support from her friends and family. 

'Today is going to be a really hard day for a lot of people and that may be you. I just want to let you know that you are loved and you matter. And the world means something with you in it,' she said. 

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Share 73 shares Friedman joined the County of Los Angeles Fire Department's Recruit Class of 141. He was one of 46 who received badges after 17 weeks of intensive physical and mental training. He was pictured among other members in a graduation ceremony in February 2016

 Friedman joined the County of Los Angeles Fire Department's Recruit Class of 141. He was one of 46 who received badges after 17 weeks of intensive physical and mental training. He was pictured among other members in a graduation ceremony in February 2016

Talinda tried to go incognito on her hike, pulling a baseball cap low over her face She wore white athletic shorts, a grey tank top and running shoes

Talinda tried to go incognito on her hike, pulling a baseball cap low over her face, wearing white athletic shorts, a grey tank top and running shoes

The two got an early morning workout in on Friday morning in Southern California

The two got an early morning workout in on Friday morning in Southern California 

She continued: 'Today let's make Chester proud and take care of each other because that's what he would want us to do.' 

Bennington’s Linkin Park bandmates - Mike Shinoda, Joe Hahn, Dave Farrell, Rob Bourdon, and Brad Delson - also shared a tribute of their own on social media.

'Remembering Chester today. Feel free to share your favorite moment of Chester / LP in the comments below,' read a post on the group’s official Instagram page, which was shared alongside a photo of the men smiling and laughing together.

In May, Talina had opened up about the late singer’s final days, sharing that she thought her husband had reached a 'good place' following years of struggling with substance abuse and depression.

'We just thought he was OK,' she said on an episode of the ABC News podcast Life After Suicide. 

'I can’t emphasize enough. If you knew Chester, you would know that he was in a good place, in such a good place.'   

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text 'home' to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org        

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