At the time of his death, Robin Williams was in the early states of Parkinson’s Disease, his surviving wife Susan Schneider revealed in a new statement.

Robin Williams Was Battling Parkinson's

Schneider made it clear in her recent statement that Williams had not fallen off the wagon and was still successfully battling his addictions. However, she notes that her husband, who’d long suffered from depression and anxiety, was also dealing with the relatively new revelation that he was in the early stages of Parkinson’s.

"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,” Schneider wrote in her statement. “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."

Schneider, who had been married to Williams since 2011, also shared a sentiment that’s often been repeated since the actor and comedian’s passing – that he was generous with his ability to make people laugh, and to lend a helping hand wherever and whenever he could.

"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,” Scheider wrote. "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."

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder that affects the central nervous system. While tremors and other movement-related symptoms are the most obvious, the disorder also causes cognitive and psychological issues, including depression.

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