“My mum no longer knows who I am, my dad can’t leave the house because of Parkinson’s, and my mother-in-law is battling three illnesses at once: cancer, lupus, and Parkinson’s,” Robbie Williams tearfully revealed, admitting he doesn’t know how to cope with the overwhelming pain
Robbie Williams has made a deeply emotional confession about his mother Janet’s deteriorating health, revealing that her dementia has progressed to the point where she no longer recognises him.
The 51-year-old Take That legend broke the news to fans during a concert in Germany, admitting he’s “not ready” for what his family is facing. “My mother has dementia and she doesn’t know who I am anymore,” he shared from the stage. “She doesn’t know where she is anymore.”
Robbie also opened up about his father Pete, who can no longer leave the house due to Parkinson’s disease. “He used to sing with me every night on stage… now he can’t leave the house,” Robbie said. “He’d steal the show and then head backstage for a glass of red wine. Those days are gone.”
His wife Ayda is also dealing with heartbreak—her mother Gwen is battling a return of cervical cancer, on top of lupus and Parkinson’s. Robbie described her as “the most courageous lady… fighting, fighting, fighting.”
Speaking frankly, the singer admitted that he is struggling to cope. “The truth is that I’m very busy and I’m not dealing with the situation as I should,” he previously told The Mirror. “I don’t really know how to do it. It’s incredibly complicated.”
Robbie’s openness comes as his biopic Better Man explores themes of family and dementia, inspired by his bond with his late grandmother who also suffered from the condition. Reflecting on the film’s emotional ties to real life, he recently told HELLO!: “My mum’s got dementia—like my nan in the film. My dad’s got Parkinson’s and can’t get out of bed. I’m in a different part of my life now.”
Despite the global fame and success, Robbie’s private world is one marked by overwhelming loss, fear, and helplessness. “We’re all human beings with our difficulties,” he said quietly. “And I’m trying to deal with mine.”