Robin Williams had Lewy body dementia (LBD), a neurological disease that was confirmed after his death in 2014. The condition was discovered during an autopsy and was identified as a major factor affecting his brain and behavior in his final months.
Before his death, Williams had also been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2014. However, later medical examinations showed that the underlying condition affecting him was Lewy body dementia.
Lewy Body Dementia Diagnosis
Lewy body dementia is a progressive brain disease that affects thinking, memory, and behavior. Doctors confirmed the condition after examining Williams’ brain during the autopsy.
Medical specialists later reported that the level of Lewy body dementia found in his brain was extremely severe. The disease can cause a wide range of neurological and psychological symptoms.
These symptoms may include:
- memory problems
- confusion
- anxiety or mood changes
- sleep disturbances
- hallucinations or paranoia
Reports from family members and medical experts later explained that many of the symptoms Williams experienced in his final months were consistent with this disease.
Parkinson’s Disease Diagnosis

In 2014, Robin Williams was also diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s is another neurological disorder that affects movement and can also influence mood and cognitive function.
At the time, Parkinson’s was believed to explain many of the symptoms he was experiencing. After his death, however, doctors determined that Lewy body dementia was the main neurological condition affecting him.
Health and Final Months
In the months leading up to his death, Williams experienced several health challenges. Reports described symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, confusion, and memory problems.
Medical experts later connected many of these symptoms to Lewy body dementia, which can cause severe changes in brain function.
More information about the circumstances surrounding his death is discussed in the article explaining how Robin Williams died.
Illness Summary
| Detail | Information |
| Confirmed Disease | Lewy body dementia |
| Additional Diagnosis | Parkinson’s disease (2014) |
| Diagnosis Confirmation | Lewy body dementia confirmed by autopsy |
| Impact | Severe neurological and cognitive symptoms |
FAQs
What disease did Robin Williams have?
Robin Williams had Lewy body dementia, which was confirmed during the autopsy after his death.
Was Robin Williams diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease?
Yes. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2014 before his death.
What is Lewy body dementia?
Lewy body dementia is a neurological disease that affects the brain and can cause memory problems, confusion, anxiety, and hallucinations.
Was Robin Williams’ illness discovered before his death?
Lewy body dementia was confirmed after his death through an autopsy.



