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Robin Williams’ children Zak and Zelda have shared emotional social media tributes to their late father on the eighth anniversary of his death.
The actor, who died aged 63, was membered by his son Zak, 39, who shared an old photograph of him and hailed the ‘wonderful, hairy man’.
The Good Will Hunting actor passed away in 2014, by suicide at his home in Paradise Cay, California. His autopsy revealed undiagnosed Lewy body disease, which is a form of progressive dementia.
In tribute: Robin Williams’ children Zak and Zelda have shared emotional social media tributes to their late father on the eighth anniversary of his death
On Thursday, Zak tweeted: ‘Dad, on the eighth anniversary of your passing, I’m remembering how incredibly kind and joyful you were.
‘I deeply miss you you wonderful, hairy man and will be celebrating your life today. Love you so so much!’
Also honouring her father, Zelda, 33, shared a quote from writer Haruki Murakami, which appeared related to suicide prevention.
Tragic: The Good Will Hunting actor passed away in 2014, by suicide at his home in Paradise Cay, Californi a. His autopsy revealed undiagnosed Lewy body disease, which is a form of progressive dementia (pictured 2006)
It read: ‘And once the storm is over, you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure, whether the storm is really over.
‘But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in.’
She also shared a thread of suicide prevent resources and hotlines and requested her followers to add more if they knew of any.
Special: Also honouring her father, Zelda, 33, shared a quote from writer Haruki Murakami, which appeared related to suicide prevention
Zelda added: ‘I don’t ask for much, but if I may, be gentle to your hearts today. I know I’m trying.’
On the anniversary last year, Zelda also shared a Murakami quote, which read: ‘Sometimes when I look at you, I feel I’m gazing at a distant star.
‘It’s dazzling, but the light is from tens of thousands of years ago. Maybe the star doesn’t even exist any more. Yet sometimes that light seems more real to me than anything.’
Robin also had son Cody, 30, from his relationship with Valerie Velardi.
Earlier this year, Zak shared a funny tribute to his father, which would have been the actor’s 71st birthday.
For dad: Zak shared a funny tribute to his father which would have been the actor’s 71st birthday. Seen in 2012
‘Happy 71st Birthday Dad! I’ll be remembering you today as you would want to be remembered, in spandex. Miss you and love you always!’ wrote his son on Instagram as he posted a photo of the comedian on a bicycle.
Robin was an avid cyclist who used to ride often on the winding paths by his home in Marin County, California.
Last year Zak said his dad was ‘frustrated’ with his health struggles before he ultimately took his life.
The legendary comedian had unknowingly been misdiagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and was actually suffering from Lewy body dementia – the second most common type of progressive dementia after Alzheimer’s – his family found out after his death.
Hilarious: ‘Happy 71st Birthday Dad! I’ll be remembering you today as you would want to be remembered, in spandex. Miss you and love you always!’ wrote his son on Instagram as he posted a photo of the comedian on a bicycle
‘What I saw was frustration,’ Zak told host Max Lugavere on his podcast The Genius Life.
‘What he was going through didn’t match one to one [with what] many Parkinson’s patients experience. So, I think that was hard for him.’
Zak, who is a mental health advocate, continued: ‘There was a focus issue that frustrated him, there were issues associated with how he felt and also from a neurological perspective he didn’t feel great,’ and added: ‘He was very uncomfortable.’
Williams’ son also questioned the medication that his father was put on, suggesting they may have made his overall health worse.
‘Those drugs are no joke,’ he explained. ‘They’re also really hard on the mind and the body.
‘I couldn’t help but feel beyond empathy. I couldn’t help but feel frustrated for him,’ Zak continued. ‘It can be really isolating even when you’re with family and loved ones.’
Lewy body dementia causes a progressive decline in mental abilities, and those affected might have visual hallucinations and changes in alertness and attention.
Zak also shared his experience with dealing the loss of his father, and how it impacted his mental health.
‘I was heavily drinking to manage my mental health where it created very harmful issues. For me personally, I was having health issues. I was experiencing some psychosis and when I spoke with a psychiatrist I was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder,’ he said.
Adding: ‘I was self-medicating through the trauma using alcohol.’
Zak, who is a father of two, went on to seek help in a 12-step program as well as group therapy, which helped him.