Robin Williams Was Battling Parkinson’s At The Time Of His Death

Just days after his death, with the country still trying to wrap their heads around the news, we all learned on Thursday that Robin Williams was battling the early stages of Parkinson's Disease, according to his widow Susan Schneider.

In a statement sent to the media on Thursday, Schneider explained that the Williams' sobriety was "intact" at the time of his death.

Schneider also said that his diagnosis was something Williams was "not yet ready to share publicly."

She asked that her following statement run in its entirety.

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."

More than 60% of people with Parkinson's in a 2012 study reported depression, and 18% reported severe, major depression.

Actor Michael J. Fox, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 1991 responded to the news of Williams' diagnosis on Twitter: