Robin Williams had early stages of Parkinson's disease, wife says

Robin Williams was in the early stages of Parkinson's disease but had not yet been ready to share the information publicly before he died, his wife, Susan Schneider, revealed in a statement today. The statement, provided to The Wrap, urges others to find support for any struggles that they're facing. Though Schneider says that Williams had remained sober at the time of his death, she notes that he had been battling depression in addition to dealing                     with Parkinson's. Parkinson's slowly affects a person's movement, often limiting their                               expressions or causing their limbs to tremor. The full statement from Schneider can be read                    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.