Suicide – the attempt to take one’s own life is the
manifestation of clinical depression in most people. People prone to suicidal
thoughts and tendencies are generally under a lot of a stress with little or no
outlet for their emotional turmoil; this brings us to the numerous suicides
committed over the years by celebrities. Being in the gossip hungry, public eye
and having their lives on display on a glass screen in every home can take its
toll and it certainly does. Taking a look through these amazing fixtures in our
culture and the attempts they made to take their own lives will make you will
realize that the proverbial glitter is definitely not always gold.
Eminem or Marshall Bruce Mathers III has since 1997, been a
household rap icon. If you go through his lyrics and music you will realize how
Eminem uses his music to vent his frustrations about his past, his life and the
point of it all. Before the release of his single “The Real Slim Shady”, Eminem
attempted to take his life with an overdose of Tylenol. He was distraught over
his then girlfriend Kim leaving him and preventing him from seeing his
daughter. Eminem had a history of emotional trauma with abandonment by both his
parents and this act proved as the last straw. Luckily he survived the near
lethal dosage and we got to experience his talent.
2. Elton John
The legendary British pop star whose work is celebrated
wherever music is; Elton John attempted suicide in his youth distraught over a
lost lover and his sexuality. Bernie Taupin, a friend and a famous lyricist
found Elton John with his head in a gas stove in his apartment. He was at the
time engaged to a woman Linda Woodrow. The frustration of keeping his sexuality
a secret was proving to be too much for the now 60-year-old openly gay singer.
Sir Elton John today proclaims that god is a gay man and is in a civil
partnership with David Furnish.
3. Robert McFarlane
One of the most famous celebrity suicide attempt was the
result of the infamous Iran-Contra scandal. Robert McFarlane, the National
Security Advisor to President Ronald Reagan attempted to take his life after
his involvement in the affair was made public. He was severely distraught over
his public humiliation and later told that it was an error of judgment that led
him to the decision of exchanging arms for hostages. He was pardoned by George
H. W. Bush but his career never recovered. Public humiliation can even move seasoned
public dealers like politicians to the brink of suicide.
4. Britney Spears
The princess, who ruled the pop scene for almost a decade
with the megahit “…Baby One More Time” and a legion of dedicated fans has
certainly fallen from grace. The failure of her marriage, the infamous beaver
shots and shocking behavior has left her career and family life in the dumps.
This taxing ordeal has taken its toll on Britney and she has reportedly
attempted suicide twice now. We hope that this young lady finds the help she
and her two boys deserve in life before its too late.
5. Clark Gable
Considered the epitome of male beauty and grace in Hollywood, Clark Gable
was devastated after his wife passed away. His mother had died when he was just
seven months old and the iconic actor succumbed to depression after the death
of his wife Carol Lombard in a plane crash. The actor sought to end his life
with a high-speed motorbike rampage but was unsuccessful. He later went on to
star in many more movies and eventually remarried.
6. Judy Garland
Another Hollywood legend
Judy Garland was wreaked with depression all through her life and career.
Before she succumbed to an overdose of prescription drugs at age 47, she had
attempted suicide several times. Her first attempt came at a tumultuous time in
her life when she was placed in a private sanitarium after suffering from a
nervous breakdown during the filming of “The Pirate” in 1947. She slit her
wrists but was discovered in time and put in a psychiatric facility in Massachusetts. Even
after extensive care and institutionalization, the workaholic Judy Garland
never completely recovered from depression.
7. Sammy Davis, Jr.
Considered a musical genius, the beloved crooner Sammy Davis
Jr. suffered constant jibes about his race, religion and his physical
appearance. The singer attempted to end his life and his pain through suicide
on the night of his wedding to Loray White. He put a gun to his head but was
saved when it was wrestled out of his hand. It was later revealed that Sammy
was secretly in love with Kim Novak, an actress, but could not be with her
because of threats over their interracial match.
8. Diana, Princess of Wales
According to a biography of Princess Dianna published in
’92, the author Andrew Morton discloses that the “people’s princess” suffered
from Bulimia Nervosa and had attempted suicide five times in her short life.
She once revealed in an interview that she tried to end her life by falling
down the stairs when she was pregnant with her first son, William. Though the
suicide attempts have not been confirmed by the Royal family, her depressive
plight was plain for all to see. Diana’s suicidal tendencies were cries for
help and it is still sad to think that a humanitarian that touched so many
lives could have been so unhappy with her own life.
9. Elizabeth Taylor
Dame Elizabeth Taylor, often considered the most beautiful
woman of her time has had her fair share of ups and downs. After the death of
some close friends and aides, she started abusing prescription drugs and
alcohol. In the early 1960’s, she was involved in an adulterous relationship
with Richard Burton for which they were both heavily criticized. When he called
off their relationship, she attempted suicide by taking an overdose of sleeping
pills. Later however, both Burton and Taylor divorced their
partners and married each other.
10. Halle
Berry
After the end of her marriage to David Justice, Halle Berry,
the Oscar winning actress and a symbol of feminist strength admitted trying to
commit suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning. The depressed actress only quit
when she thought of her mother finding her dead body. In the end she overcome
her suicidal tendencies, vowed to never get married again and has been happily
single since.
Source : http://www.elistmania.com
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