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Robin Williams' Wife: Actor Had "Early Stages of Parkinson's Disease"

Celebrities Visit "Late Show With David Letterman" September 25, 2013

Credit: Photo by Ray Tamarra/FilmMagic

Susan Schneider, the widow of late actor Robin Williams, has released a new, detailed statement regarding her husband’s passing. In the telling statement, Susan touched on the 63-year-old’s depression, sobriety and revealed a surprising fact that The Crazy Ones star had not yet shared with the world: He was struggling with the early stages of Parkinson’s Disease.

“Robin spent so much of his life helping others,” her statement reads. “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 the 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.”

In the Coroner’s report, it’s been preliminarily concluded that Robin committed suicide by hanging. He has four movies set to come out throughout the next year.

MORE LINKS

All the Official Statements from Robin Williams’ Family Members

Robin Williams’ Preliminary Cause of Death: Asphyxia by Hanging

Meryl Streep Remembers Robin Williams During Interview

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