The widow of late comedian Robin Williams said Thursday that her husband was sober at the time of his death, but suffering from the early stages of Parkinson’s disease, along with his documented struggles with anxiety and depression.
“Since his passing, all of us who loved Robin have found some solace in the tremendous outpouring of affection and admiration for him from the millions of people whose lives he touched,” read a written statement from Williams’ wife, Susan Schneider. “His greatest legacy, besides his three children, is the joy and happiness he offered to others, particularly to those fighting personal battles.”
Regarding Williams’ previous issues with substance abuse, Schneider said that his sobriety was “intact” as he bravely struggled “with his own battles of depression, anxiety, as well as early stages of Parkinson’s disease.” According to Schneider, Williams was not yet ready at that time to share details regarding his illness. “It is our hope in the wake of Robin’s tragic passing, that others will find the strength to seek the care and support they need to treat whatever battles they are facing so they may feel less afraid,” she added.
Prior to his death, Williams had countered symptoms of depression and anxiety by exercise and cycling, and the possibility of Parkinson’s disease taking away his ability to do so had proven to be a great blow, said a person familiar with the actor’s family. Authorities believe Williams had hung himself with a belt sometime between late Sunday and the time he was found dead by his personal assistant shortly before noon Monday. Williams, 63, also had well-documented issues with drug and alcohol addiction, and while rumors suggested he was drinking alcohol again, Schneider’s statement seems to debunk those reports.