Robin Williams' wife says he had Parkinson's

WLS logo
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Robin Williams appears onstage at The 2012 Comedy Awards in New York, Saturday, April 28, 2012.
Robin Williams appears onstage at The 2012 Comedy Awards in New York, Saturday, April 28, 2012.
AP-AP

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Susan Schneider, Robin Williams' wife, released a personal statement regarding the beloved actor's death on Thursday. In it, she said that Williams' sobriety was intact, and that he was struggling with the early stages of Parkinson's Disease, a diagnosis he was not yet ready to share with the public.

Schneider also said she and the rest of Williams' family has found "some solace in the tremendous outpouring of affection and admiration" from his fans. Her entire statement is below:

"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."