Robin Williams‘ widow Susan spoke out in an ABC News interview that aired on Tuesday’s “Good Morning America,” marking her first public comments since the comedian’s suicide last year.
“We were living a nightmare,” Susan Williams revealed to Amy Robach, speaking of Robin’s secret battle with anxiety, depression and paranoia. At the time, the couple didn’t know of his early Parkinson’s and Lewy body dementia.
“If Robin was lucky, he would’ve had maybe three years left. And they would’ve been hard years. And it’s a good chance he would’ve been locked up,” the “Good Will Hunting” star’s spouse said.
The Oscar winner had been planning with doctors to check himself into a facility to undergo neurocognitive testing the week of his death, she said. He had also been experiencing stomach pain, constipation, urinary trouble and sleeplessness. Eventually, stiffness, slumping, shuffling gait and a loss of vocal ability set in as well.
Also during the intimate interview, Susan Williams recalled her final conversation with her husband. She choked back tears remembering how she heard the news from Robin’s assistant.
Susan said she forgives Robin “50 billion percent, with all my heart,” calling him “the bravest man I’ve ever known.”
“I don’t blame him one bit,” she added.
Robin Williams committed suicide in August 2014, hanging himself with a belt in their shared home. Susan said Robin was completely sober at the time and had been for eight years.
More of the wide-ranging interview airs Wednesday on “GMA.” It will run in its entirety Tuesday on “World News Tonight With David Muir” and “Nightline,” and Friday on “The View.”
Watch the video: