It’s not uncommon for people to feel as if they personally know their favorite celebs after watching interviews and favorite movies over and over. Furthermore, it is not commonplace for people to speculate about the turmoil in celebrities’ personal lives, and Robin Williams’ death was no exception. Luckily, his wife stepped forward a few years ago to clear the air. Clearing the air about his illness and any other misconceptions concerning the late actor’s suicide.

Many believed after Robin Williams’ suicide in August 2014 that he was battling with his mental health, with some even speculating he’d picked up some old “unsavory” habits. He was 63 at the time and had a well-deserved reputation, but he had a history of addiction and had even checked into rehab just before his death. With so many possibilities, how could passionate fans not be curious about the true story? His eclectic array of comedies, dramas, and mashups touched hearts across the country.

Robin Williams Discovers Love
Robin Williams met the woman he would spend the remainder of his brief life with while shopping at an Apple Store in 2007. “As I went in, I noticed this man and thought to myself, ‘I bet that’s Robin Williams.’” Then, on my way out, I noticed him beaming at me, and something inside me said, ‘Oh, just go over and say hello.’ He was dressed in camouflage, so I asked, ‘How’s that camo working out for you?’ ‘Not too good, you discovered me,’ he said. Susan, his widow, told the Guardian in 2021.

Catastrophe follows a happy union.
The couple married in 2011, and despite their brief union, they created a life full of excitement. “Robin and I used to enjoy going to museums together. He was a history enthusiast, so he’d bring the history and I’d bring the art, and we’d have twice the fun.” Susan elaborated. Susan had young sons from a previous marriage, so the couple lived in Marin County.

However, they barely had two pleasant years together before Robin Williams had severe stomach aches, hand tremors, and awful insomnia. His anxiety, on the other hand, appeared to be the most severe of his symptoms. “Robin’s paranoia was completely out of character. And so began the 10-month drumbeat of escalating symptoms, and the thing about LBD is that the symptoms don’t come all at once – they fluctuate. As a result, they are quite perplexing to both the patient and the caregiver,” she explained.

Misdiagnosis in Robin Williams
In May of 2014, Robin Williams was misdiagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Despite the fact that his true ailment was unknown to doctors at the time, he displayed symptoms that could not be explained by Parkinson’s. Susan insisted on him visiting a neuropsychological testing center. Unfortunately, they would never arrive because he committed suicide a week before his scheduled visit. “I believe he did not want to depart. “I suppose he was thinking, ‘I’m going to get locked away and never come out,’” Susan revealed.

It was later discovered that Robin Williams had Lewy Body Dementia. LBD develops when abnormally large levels of protein accumulate in brain cells, resulting in many of the symptoms that affected Robin Williams, such as paranoia and insomnia. The error was most likely caused by the similarities between the two, as they are both connected with dementia.

The True Diagnosis
Doctors were unable to precisely diagnose the LBD until after his death. According to one doctor, it was the worst instance he’d ever seen. Nevertheless, there is little information available on LBD. As a result, Susan has made education her driving force. “During the autopsy, the doctors asked me, ‘Are you surprised that your husband has Lewy bodies throughout his entire brain and brain stem?’” I had no idea what Lewy bodies were, but I replied, ‘No, I’m not surprised.’ What was it that had penetrated every corner of my husband’s brain? That made complete sense.” Susan revealed.

A Mission to Educate
Her goal had began with the release of ‘Robin’s Wish. The documentary sheds insight on the enigmatic condition and describes his ordeal. “If my spouse weren’t renowned, I would not have put myself through this. Yet there were so many misconceptions about what had happened to him and about Lewy bodies out there. “That just felt like the correct thing to do,” she said.

Susan went on to clarify the air about Robin Williams’ most recent rehab stint, noting that he went for meditation and healing and that his previous addictions were not an issue. He had been sober for 8 years at the time of his death. “It enraged me when the media reported that he’d been drinking, because I know there are recovering addicts and people battling with depression who looked up to him, and they deserve to know the truth.” She stated.

Everyone adores her.
Fans and coworkers alike adored Robin Williams. “Walking down the street with Robin was like strolling down the street with Mother Teresa, the way people would react to him,” Julie Kavner once said. “His spirit was just so out there, and people wanted to praise him,” he continued. “Just thinking about it makes me want to cry.” Gus Van Sant, the filmmaker, observed, “They were simply so delighted to see him. ‘Oh, it’s you!’ they said, and hugged him without even asking. It has never happened with any other prominent person I’ve worked with.” “He had that tender side,” he said, “and he was receptive to people and things around him.”

The news of Robin Williams’ death was heartbreaking for everyone, especially his wife and children. Susan, on the other hand, has used the tragedy to help others and keep her husband’s legacy alive. “But, Robin always appears when I need him. Yet when he isn’t there, I remember my companion, my love, and I mourn him.” Susan explained softly.