Robin Williams’ widow, Susan Williams, has spoken about the actor’s death, for the first time in a TV interview.
The comedy actor died by suicide in August last year, at the age of 63, with his wife, Susan, now opening up about the period leading up to her husband’s death, in a pre-taped interview on Tuesday’s ‘Good Morning America’ .
Robin and Susan attend an event in 2012
She revealed that, prior to his death, the Oscar-winning actor had been suffering from Diffuse Lewy Body Dementia (DLB) for around a year, a form of dementia which eventually led him to develop Parkinson’s disease, as well as suffering mood swings and “erratic thoughts”.
Susan explained in the interview that she didn’t hold any bad feelings towards her husband, following his suicide, adding: "He was keeping it together as best as he could, but the last month he could not. It was like the dam broke.
“I think he was just saying ‘no’, and I don't blame him one bit.”
In a separate interview with People magazine, Susan dismisses media reports, which suggested that Robin’s decades-long struggle with depression had played a part in his death.
She insists: “It was not depression that killed Robin. Depression was one of, let's call it 50 symptoms, and it was a small one.”
Susan also goes on to say she hopes that the death of her husband can help others suffering from DLB, claiming: “I've spent this last year trying to find out what killed Robin. To understand what we were fighting, what we were in the trenches fighting and one of the doctors said, 'Robin was very aware that he was losing his mind and there was nothing he could do about it'.
“This was a very unique case and I pray to God that it will shed some light on [DLB] for the millions of people and their loved ones who are suffering with it. Because we didn't know. He didn't know.”
If you’ve been affected by the the issues in this article, please call the Samaritans, who offer a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI - this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill.)
Other useful websites and helplines:
- Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393
- Get Connected is a free advice service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email: help@getconnected.org.uk
- HopeLine runs a confidential advice helpline if you are a young person at risk of suicide or are worried about a young person at risk of suicide. Mon-Fri 10-5pm and 7pm-10pm. Weekends 2pm-5pm on 0800 068 41 41