Robin Williams had three years to live, actor's widow says

Robin Williams' "nightmare" health would have killed him within three years if he had not taken his own life, the actor's widow has said.

The much-loved star died on August 11 last year aged 63, prompting an outpouring of grief from around the world.

Williams had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia.

Speaking for the first time since his death, Susan Williams said her husband was "just disintegrating before my eyes” after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and a form of dementia.

'The depression didn't kill Robin'

The actor was suffering from a multitude of health problems, according to his wife. Credit: Reuters

“If Robin was lucky, he would've had maybe three years left," she told ABC.

"And they would've been hard years and it's a good chance he would've been locked up.”

She also told People magazine: "Depression didn't kill Robin - depression was one of let's call it 50 symptoms and it was a small one."

“It was like playing Whac–a-Mole. Which symptom is it this month?"

Mrs Williams said her husband had started to experience an "endless parade" of health problems as early as November 2013.

“My best friend was sinking,” she said.

The couple's last conversation

Mrs Williams - who recently settled a legal dispute with the actor's children - recalled the couple's final conversation on the night of August 10.

“He said, ‘Goodnight, my love.’ And I said, ‘Goodnight, my love.

“And then he said, ‘Goodnight.’ That was the last.”

'I just screamed the whole way home'

Robin Williams with his wife Susan and daughter Zelda in 2011. Credit: Reuters

When she received the call informing her of her husband's suicide the next day, Mrs Williams said she "screamed the whole way, 'Robin'" as she drove home.

"I just wanted to see my husband," she said.

"And I got to see him and I got to pray with him. And I got to tell him, ‘I forgive you 50 billion percent, with all my heart. You're the bravest man I've ever known.’

"We were living a nightmare.”

'He was just a dream'

Tributes to the actor are seen on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in LA. Credit: Reuters

Paying tribute to her late husband, Mrs Williams said: “It’s the best love I ever dreamed of.

"You know, it’s what I always dreamed of love would be - really based on just honour, love, respect.”

Asked whether he took his own life to take back control, she replied: “In my opinion, oh yeah.

"I think he was just saying no.”