Summary
- Susan Williams felt betrayed by Robin's will, believing she was kicked out unjustly from their shared home after his passing.
- After a lengthy court battle, Susan was finally able to stay in the San Francisco home as Robin initially wanted her to.
- Susan revealed that depression wasn't the sole cause of Robin Williams' passing, as Lewy Body Dementia played a major role in his health decline.
Looking back, Robin Williams' passing was a devastating day for fans and his loved ones. Weeks later, more complications would arise as Robin's estate sparked a family feud.
In the following, we're going to take a closer look at why Susan Williams felt betrayed by Robin's will at the start. Susan was basically kicked out of her home, one that Robin allegedly wanted her live in even after his passing. It caused a lengthy court dispute, but ultimately, Susan was allowed to stay in her home.
We're going to take a closer look at how it all went down, while also revealing Susan's thoughts about Robin's struggles, and what really caused his tragic passing. Although depression played a part, Susan suggested there were many other factors involved as well.
Susan Schneider Initially Lost It All After Robin Williams Gave His Estate To The Children
Not only was she dealing with Robin Williams' passing, but a few weeks later, things took a problematic turn for Susan Schneider. She was told to leave the house, and only take what was hers. However, even that would be debated. Susan felt as though she had everything taken from her, despite her close relationship with Williams for the last seven years.
Susan opened up about the estate battle with THR.
She said, “Two and a half weeks after Robin had left, I was still in shock. And not back in our home. After being in the trenches with my husband for so long and trying to solve this thing, after seven years together in love, I was told that I might not be able to be able to keep our wedding gifts, that in fact, ‘While you’re out of the house … we need to come in and take everything out. Eventually once we’ve gone through it all, you can decide – tell us which items are yours. And we’ll decide whether or not that’s true.’"
Susan could not believe the way she was being treated, and basically being kicked out everything related to Williams.
“That was incomprehensible to me. And I’ll never forget being on the phone with one of the trustees and saying, ‘What is this? I know Robin Williams is famous. He’s my husband,’” Susan Williams recalled. "‘If we’re talking that you guys think everything is memorabilia, then take me. He’s touched me. Where does this end?’ ”
The will clearly provided lots of issues for Susan. It was especially problematic given that according to Susan, Williams wanted her to live in the house until her passing. Ultimately, the matter was taken to court, and Susan finally got her compensation.
After A Lengthy Court Battle, Susan Schneider Was Able To Agree On A Settlement
Eight years ago, Williams' widow and children settled the legal feud over the actor's estate. According to The Guardian, Susan walked away from the process satisfied, and was finally given the right to their San Francisco home after all.
The publication wrote, "Terms of the out-of-court settlement were not disclosed. But James Wagstaffe, who is representing Susan Williams, said his client will remain in the San Francisco Bay Area home she shared with Williams and receive living expenses to maintain the home for the rest of her life."
Susan also walked away with Robin's favorite watch, a bike they purchased during their honeymoon, and wedding gifts. Susan's lawyer was satisfied with the outcome.
“Susan gets to enforce Robin’s wishes. She gets to stay in the house as Robin wanted, with the trust being created to pay the expenses,” Wagstaffe said.
The general feeling among everyone involved was a sense of relief that the dispute was finally behind them.
Susan Admitted That Depression Wasn't The Only Factor That Caused Robin Williams' Passing
Although depression was a factor in Williams' passing, Susan made mention that Robin's battle with Lewy Body Dementia was a major contributor towards his poor health.
She told People, “It was not depression that killed Robin. Depression was one of let’s call it 50 symptoms and it was a small one.” Diffuse Lewy Body Dementia was what caused lots of problems for Robin, particularly with anxiousness, and delusions. Susan said it was her goal to help others that are dealing with similar issues.
“I’ve spent this last year trying to find out what killed Robin. To understand what we were fighting, what we were in the trenches fighting and one of the doctors said, ‘Robin was very aware that he was losing his mind and there was nothing he could do about it,’ ” she says.
“This was a very unique case and I pray to God that it will shed some light on Lewy bodies for the millions of people and their loved ones who are suffering with it,” adds Susan. “Because we didn’t know. He didn’t know.”
A sad battle that Robin was struggling with behind the scenes during his final days.
