Deen: 'Jewel theft like family death'

Paula Deen has compared the theft of over $100,000 (£67,606) worth of jewellery by her housekeeper to "a death in the family".

Mary Alice White was accused of stealing from Deen's Savannah, GA home after the pieces began disappearing in August 2009. A police report stated that White was "recently found to be in possession of a portion of said jewellery".

"I was so sad and upset because I loved this person and told them every day that I loved them," Deen told People.

"So it's always sad when someone disappoints you."

However, the celebrity chef insisted that her naturally open personality hasn't changed because of the ordeal.

"You just can't be hardened. You can't stop trusting people or giving your love. Or at least I'm not interested in living that way," she said.

"There's all kind of risk in life and you take chances. Sometimes you're thrilled and sometimes you're disappointed."

White was arrested on May 5 after being caught trying to pawn an $18,000 (£12,167) pair of Deen's earrings.