The saddest part of ‘Selling Sunset’ Season 8 isn’t your usual suspects and does not even involve the regular real estate drama; it is, in fact, the loss of a cherished member of the Oppenheim family—Niko. For Jason Oppenheim and Mary Fitzgerald, the 18-year-old dog was more than just a pet; he was real family.
To imagine how much Niko meant to them, you can refer to one of Jason’s quotes, where he calls him “the closest thing we’ll ever have to a son.” Their bond was evidently super special.
If you’ve already completed the finale of the latest season, you need not worry. But you’ve been warned that the following contains some major spoilers from Episode 9.
Beloved Pet Niko Died in Selling Sunset Season 8; Mary Fitzgerald and Jason Oppenheim Left Heartbroken!
Jason Oppenheim and Mary Fitzgerald had an on-off relationship for six months to a year, long before the first season of ‘Selling Sunset’ aired on Netflix. Even after their split, the duo kept co-parenting their late dog Niko. One of the reasons the former couple was still prominent in each other’s lives was because of this shared responsibility. Sadly, they lost him earlier in the year on February 29, 2024, because of a terminal illness.
The whole season takes us on an emotional journey as Jason and Mary ultimately accept the reality of Niko’s deteriorating health. The heartbreaking news of his end-stage kidney failure leaves them with very little time to bid their farewell, and it’s an incredibly sad process as they prepare for life without him. The tough, tearful goodbye makes us feel the depth of their connection, with Mary stating how he’s been her friend and companion for almost two decades.
The new season doesn’t just casually mention or showcase Niko’s passing—it makes the death a major moment. Episode 9 is fully dedicated to the funeral with Jason and Mary’s friends, which includes Chrishell Stause, Amanza Smith, Heather Rae El Moussa, Emma Hernan, and more, all coming in black to celebrate Niko’s life. It’s super emotional, with Jason even doing the math and coming up with 50,000 as the number of times he kissed Niko. The dog couldn’t have been more beloved.
The memorial event included emotional speeches, a formal dress code, and tributes from friends and their pets, and that’s far from all. Jason and Mary take the remembrance one step further by going all out to get matching tattoos for Niko on their arms, using ink mixed with his ashes. Well, it’s not your regular way of remembering someone, with Nicole Young even calling it “a little concerning” (before showing her support), but it’s definitely as personal as it gets when it comes to keeping him in the family forever. They really left no shortage of effort with this one.
At the end of the memorial, Jason and Mary scattered some of Niko’s ashes under a tree in Mary’s backyard. Amid Niko’s passing, Jason is currently caring for his dog Zelda, who he co-parents with Mary and her partner. Mary, meanwhile, is taking care of her dog Thor with her husband, Romain Bonnet.
Jason Oppenheim and Mary Fitzgerald’s Heartfelt Instagram Tribute to Their Late Dog Niko
After their beloved dog Niko died in late February, Mary Fitzgerald and Jason Oppenheimer shared a touching tribute on Instagram on March 1, 2024, featuring a series of photos celebrating Niko’s life and the couple’s everlasting love for their four-legged friend.
The tribute shows pics of Niko with both Mary and Jason, capturing their special moments together. They also showed off their matching tattoos for Niko—Jason’s has a paw print alongside his name, while Mary’s has the name and a period at the end, representing their shared love.
‘Selling Sunset’ Season 8 is currently streaming on Netflix.
