Mirror: Robin Williams' first wife talks openly about his infidelity

By Cheryl Kahla

Jul 30, 2018

03:57 P.M.

The late actor and comedian, Robin Williams, would have celebrated his 67th birthday earlier this month. In a recent interview, his wife talked about his affairs.

Valerie Velardi met in the mid-seventies in San Francisco. Williams was working as a bartender at the time, and the couple exchanged vows after two years of dating.

In an exclusive interview with Mirror, Velardi explained what it was like coping with his infidelity, saying: "He loved women. Absolutely loved women. And I got it."

"I understood, and I wanted him to have that. But I also wanted him to come home."

Valerie Velardi, Mirror, July 27, 2018.

Read more on our Twitter, @amomama_usa.

Source: Getty Images

She recalled their first encounter and said that Williams spoke with a French accent and offered her a drink. She described him as "absolutely delightful," and they shared their first kiss that evening.

They have one son together, Zachary Pym Williams. Valerdi tolerated his affairs for nearly ten years, but the couple parted ways in 1988 when Williams began a relationship with Marsha Garces, Zac's nanny.

Williams and Garces exchanged vows the following year and had two children - Cody Alan and Zelda Rae. Garces filed for divorce in 2008.

Source: Getty Images

He was married to his third wife, Susan Schneider, from 2011 until his death by suicide in 2014. An autopsy report revealed that Williams had suffered an increase of paranoia in the days leading to his death.

He was also posthumously diagnosed with Lewy Body dementia. Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind was released earlier this year and can be seen on HBO.

Source: Getty Images

The documentary about his life included footage of Williams not only doing what he does best on stage but of him talking about his personal struggles as well.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. Other international suicide helplines can be found at befrienders.org.