Robin Williams, the comedian who left us too soon over a decade ago, continues to be remembered and cherished in our hearts, keeping his spirit and legacy alive.
Williams’s death came as a shock to people worldwide, leading many to believe that his suicide was linked to drug addiction and depression.
However, it was revealed that Robin Williams’ tragic death was actually due to a different cause. Susan Schneider Williams, Robin’s widow, chose to reveal the real reason behind her husband’s passing.
The world lost a great comedy genius when Robin Williams passed away in 2014. He was known for his humor, family values, and kindness.
He gained the love of fans worldwide with his memorable roles in films such as Mrs. Doubtfire, Aladdin, and Good Morning Vietnam.
Those who met him in real life noticed that he had a great sense of humor even when not on screen, and he used his talent to bring joy to those in need. The beloved actor was married three times and had three children.
Williams met Valeria Velardi for the first time in June 1976. He was working as a bartender in San Francisco and wasn’t famous back then.
In 2018, Valeria mentioned that he was working as a bartender, had a French accent, served her a drink, talked to her, and was very charming.
He requested a ride back. He spoke French, I teased him, we kissed, and I had a feeling we would meet again.
They got married in 1978 and welcomed their son Zack in 1983.
In 1988, Williams and Valeria ended their relationship. There were rumors that Williams had an affair with Marsha Garces, who was the nanny of their son. However, Valeria has denied these allegations. Despite the divorce, Williams later married Marsha.
The couple got married in 1989 while she was pregnant.
Zelda came into the world in 1989, while Cody was born in 1991. They were the children of Robin and Marsha. Unfortunately, Robin’s second marriage was also doomed to fail. In 2008, Marsha decided to file for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.
Three years after his second divorce, Susan Schneider, Robin’s soulmate, entered his life. In the latter part of 2007, she first met the well-known comedian in a nearby Apple store, where they had a short conversation.
Susan recounted her experience, sharing how she entered the room and noticed a man who she believed to be Robin Williams. As she was leaving, she glanced at him once more and noticed him smiling at her. In that moment, she felt compelled to approach him and greet him.
They tied the knot in 2011 at the lavish Meadowood resort in California’s Napa Valley.
The small wedding had around 120 attendees, which included family members, close friends, and neighbors.
Susan and Robin had a specific idea of how they wanted their wedding day to be. It was different from the extravagant celebrity weddings in Hollywood since there were no big stars in attendance.
Susan and Robin created their own vows as well. During the ceremony, they paid tribute to Robin’s late mother and brother. The actor asked the pastor to recite St. Francis of Assisi’s Prayer out loud.
The minister who officiated the wedding of Robin and Susan described the day as lovely, with the couple deeply in love and serene. Both of them were highly engaged in planning the ceremony.
Susan and Robin lived in the luxurious Sea Cliff neighborhood in San Francisco Bay. Their spacious mansion, designed in a Mediterranean contemporary style, offered breathtaking views of the water, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Marin Headlands.
Despite seeming happy and having it all, Robin and Susan faced challenges in their relationship when Robin struggled with his personal struggles.
His declining health also affected his work. Williams, known for his ability to memorize many lines, had trouble remembering even simple lines during his last movie in 2014.
In 2016, Schneider Williams mentioned that Robin knew he was losing his sanity.
Imagine the agony he went through as he felt himself falling apart. It was from an unknown cause, beyond his comprehension. No one, not even him, could prevent it – not even with intelligence or love.
Robin faced challenges, but Susan supported him, strengthening their honest relationship. Over the years, their love grew as they shared their successes, failures, and fears.
Regrettably, Susan lacked important details and couldn’t fully understand the causes of her soulmate’s struggles. Despite feeling powerless in many ways, they still managed to cherish some beautiful moments during Robin’s last months.
Robin’s mind was filled with concerns, frustrations, and unsettling ideas when the failing actor was mistakenly diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease shortly before his passing. The doctors had predicted that Robin had only three years left to live.
Zak, Robin Williams’ son, mentioned on Max Lugavere’s podcast that his father’s experience with Parkinson’s disease was unique and didn’t align with what many patients go through.
He experienced a frustrating focus problem, which caused him a great deal of discomfort. Additionally, he had emotional issues and didn’t feel great from a neurological standpoint.
It must have been difficult for Robin to carry such burdens in silence. The complete truth about his struggles only surfaced after he was no longer with us. The details from the coroner’s report were finally revealed three months after his untimely passing.
I’m sorry to hear about Robin’s battle with Lewy body dementia. It must have been a difficult time for him and his family. It’s brave of his widow to share the truth about his passing in her first interview after his death.
“Lewy body dementia killed Robin. It’s what what took his life. Depression was a small piece of the pie of what was going on… really, what was overriding that more than depression was anxiety. And the anxiety was huge,” she said.
It must have been incredibly difficult for the late actor to endure such agony in his last months, as stated by his doctors. They described his case of Lewy body dementia as one of the most severe they had ever come across.
Lewy body dementia is an incredibly distressing disease. It can be fatal and its progression is rapid. Dr. Bruce Miller, the director of Memory and Aging at the University of California San Francisco, emphasizes the severity of this condition.
Susan was able to gain a deeper understanding of Robin’s behavior after learning about her husband’s condition, which helped her fill in many gaps and make sense of the situation.
I felt a sense of relief when we finally had a name for it. Robin and I had gone through this ordeal together, constantly being pursued by an unseen monster. It felt like a never-ending game of whack-a-mole, trying to deal with the various symptoms. But now, we finally had a name for the disease, the very thing that Robin and I had been desperately searching for.
I’m sorry to inform you that Robin Williams passed away in his bedroom at his home in Paradise Cay, California, on August 11, 2014. The Marin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the cause of death was suffocation by hanging.
As Susan reminisced about her last heartfelt conversation with her husband during a poignant interview in 2015, tears gently cascaded down her face. Just a week before his untimely departure, Robin was preparing to undergo neuropsychological testing at a facility.
I understand that Robin had asked Susan for a foot massage the night before he passed away. It’s unfortunate that Susan declined the request, but it’s important to remember that she couldn’t have possibly predicted what was going to happen.
It’s impossible for her to erase the memory of his sorrowful eyes and empty gaze. And then, he left. He would come back again and again, saying, “Good night, my love,” and Susan would always respond, “Good night, my love.”
They were his last words to her, and her last to him.
Susan shared in subsequent interviews that she has found it in her heart to forgive Robin and does not blame him for his decision to end his life. She understood that his time left on Earth was short and filled with challenges. She stood by her husband’s side on that tragic day when paramedics rushed in to try and rescue him.
I can only imagine how difficult that must have been for you. It’s truly inspiring to hear how you were able to find forgiveness and strength during such a challenging time.
I understand that Robin’s body was cremated at Monte’s Chapel of the Hills in San Anselmo. It remains unclear whether his family organized a private funeral for him. On August 21, his ashes were scattered over San Francisco Bay. He truly loved the city where he had lived for more than 50 years and found solace in its beauty.
It’s always heartbreaking when someone decides to end their own life. While I strongly believe that there is always hope and help available, I can understand that sometimes the pain can feel overwhelming.
It’s truly unfortunate that nobody was aware of what Robin was going through. He was not only an incredibly talented actor and comedian, but above all, he was a wonderful human being!
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