Robin Williams’ wife, Susan Schneider, has released a new statement revealing that Williams was in “the early stages of Parkinson’s disease” at the time he took his own life. In it, Schneider reiterated that Williams was sober and that he was suffering from depression as well as anxiety (two things that can be exacerbated by Parkinson’s). She also said that those close to Williams had been comforted somewhat by “the tremendous outpouring of affection and admiration” over the past few days.
Here is her statement in full:
Robin spent so much of his life helping others. Whether he was entertaining millions on stage, film or television, our troops on the frontlines, or comforting a sick child — Robin wanted us to laugh and to feel less afraid.
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. His greatest legacy, besides his three children, is the joy and happiness he offered to others, particularly to those fighting personal battles.
Robin’s sobriety was intact and he was brave as he struggled with his own battles of depression, anxiety as well as early stages of Parkinson’s Disease, which he was not yet ready to share publicly.
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.