Singer Robbie Williams has revealed that his mother, Janet, no longer recognises him as she battles dementia, leaving the star in what he calls a “strange place.”
The 51-year-old former Take That member publicly shared the emotional news of his mother’s diagnosis in November 2024. In a recent update, Williams said, “My mother has dementia, and she doesn’t know who I am anymore. She doesn’t know where she is anymore.”
Dementia’s Devastating Impact on Robbie’s Family
Dementia is a progressive neurological condition that affects over 55 million people worldwide. According to Dementia UK, there are more than 200 subtypes, with the most common being Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and mixed dementia.
Williams, who has openly discussed mental health struggles in the past, spoke candidly about how his mother’s declining condition has affected him emotionally. “It’s a strange place to be,” he admitted, revealing the weight of watching a loved one forget their closest family members.
Father Pete and Mother-in-Law Also Suffering
The emotional toll on the singer doesn’t end with his mother. Williams also shared that his father, Pete, has Parkinson’s disease and is no longer able to participate in everyday activities like he once did.
“He used to sing with me on stage every night. He’d steal the show and then head backstage for a glass of red wine,” Williams recalled. “Now, he can’t leave the house.”
Adding to his family’s health challenges, Williams revealed that his mother-in-law, Gwen Field, is battling lupus, Parkinson’s, and cancer. “She is the most courageous lady,” he said. “She’s fighting, fighting, fighting.”
“I’m Not Ready” – Coping With Multiple Family Illnesses
Speaking to The Mirror, Williams admitted that he’s struggling to cope with the avalanche of medical challenges his family is facing.
“The truth is that I’m very busy and not dealing with the situation as I should. I don’t really know how to do it—it’s an incredibly complicated thing,” he said.
He also expressed concern about sharing too many personal details. “If I say something, they might read it, and then I would have to answer a lot of questions,” he explained.
“Let’s put it this way: we are all human beings with our difficulties, and I’m trying to deal with mine,” Williams concluded.
Understanding Dementia: The Basics
Dementia primarily affects people over the age of 65, with around one in 14 people in that age group living with the condition. Among those aged over 80, that number rises to one in six. Statistically, women are more likely than men to be diagnosed with dementia.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form and the leading cause of death in the UK. Early symptoms often include minor memory loss, with more severe symptoms such as confusion, speech difficulties, mobility issues, and personality changes developing over time.
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