Glitz, glamor, luxury, and posh living are some of the qualities we associate with a celebrity lifestyle. We admire celebrities for their riches, career success, and jet-setting lifestyle, and wish to be just like them. However, in our adoration, we don’t realize the depression some of these celebrities had to overcome to realize their dreams.
Celebrities experience the growing pains of unhappiness too, whether it’s pressure from perfectionism or imposter syndrome. They are a testament to the fact you can overcome the most challenging mental illnesses, including suicidal thoughts, to build a life of your dreams. The celebrities on this list received the help they need to recover and heal from traumatizing situations, including sexual assault, poverty, drug abuse, and without exception, suicide attempt(s).
The best part: they’ve all gone to leave behind a legacy, and so can you.
Billy Joel
Currently worth more than $225 million since the 2000s, you might be surprised to hear this American musician and rock star attempted to end his life in his early 20s. He was despondent over a failing career and swallowed a fistful of Nembutal and washed them down with furniture polish. On waking up, he was disappointed that he couldn’t even get that right. But the failed suicide attempt motivated him to beat his depression and build his music career. He went on to sell over 150 million records globally. In the last 10 years, he’s consistently been recognized as a best-selling music artist of all time, with many sold out shows.
Oprah Winfrey
Before becoming the rich caretaker of America, Oprah Winfrey was the poster child of abject poverty. Her sexual assault at the hands of her uncle culminated in a teen pregnancy at 14. She felt she’d hit rock bottom and attempted to end her life by consuming bleach, which led her to miscarry. She took that as her second chance at life and resolved to turn her life around. Today, she’s the first African-American female billionaire.
She later recounted that her attempted suicide was a cry for help from a naïve teenager who didn’t know better or have someone to turn to. Oprah wears many hats –TV producer, talk show host, actress, and philanthropist with a net worth of $2.5 billion. She’s dedicated her life to helping people overcome mental health issues and lead productive lives.
Although this celebrity has had experiences of depression and anxiety from the pressures of her stardom, she has learned to manage her mental problems a lot better.
Ozzy Osbourne
Many famous rock stars struggle with depression and anxiety.
With most of Ozzy’s life being featured on his reality show The Osbournes, it may come as a surprise to know Ozzy Osbourne is another actor and rock star with depression. Ozzy’s road to stardom is rocked with personal struggles, unhappiness, strife, physical abuse, and drug abuse. Growing up in abject poverty in a violent homestead, Ozzy watched his father pummel his mother, leading him to become a violent child. He routinely bullied other kids and engaged in petty crime, and once spent six weeks in prison.
Dejected and frustrated with life, Ozzy tried to end his suffering with a failed suicide at 14 years old. He fashioned a noose from a clothesline, put it around his neck, and secured the other end to a high gate before jumping from a chair. Ozzy’s suicide attempt may have succeeded, but his abusive father caught him in the act. He promptly cut him down and ironically – gave him a sound beating for it.
Today, Ozzy Osbourne is a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee after selling over 100 million records. He’s featured on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Birmingham Walk of Stars. He managed to overcome his difficult childhood, drug, and alcohol problems and become a global icon.
Kevin Hines
Kevin Hines is a name you should remember. Kevin is one of the greatest suicide activists with an amazing story. He’s one of the 36 people who’ve survived jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Kevin had undiagnosed bipolar disorder, anxiety, and depression issues leading to severe paranoia, manic depression, and hallucinations. He mulled suicidal thoughts his entire life and it culminated in his attempt to end his life by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge.
In a later interview, Kevin recounts that he experienced instant regret the moment he vaulted over the bridge, calling out to God to save him. He realized at that very moment that he didn’t want to die. In the four seconds it took to hit the water, Kevin regretted his decision and wished he could take it back. After his miraculous survival, Kevin embarked on the long road to recovery.
Today, Kevin has a better grip on his life thanks to a combination of antidepressants, therapy, and an ever-growing support network of people. He’s a globetrotting mental health activist committed to spreading suicide prevention awareness.
Will your name make this list?
These stars are a living testimony that you can overcome difficult childhood, abuse, sexual assault, mental health challenges, suicidal thoughts, and even a suicide attempt. Seeking proper help, attending therapy, and building a supportive social circle are some of the proven ways to help you get your life back on track. We hope these suicide failure stories help inspire you for the betterment of your life, regardless of your circumstances.
If, for whatever reason, you are feeling suicidal, know help is just a phone call away. Call the Suicide Prevention Hotline at any time: 800-273-8255
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