Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber said he is a recovering alcoholic who now attends daily Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.
The admission from the world-renowned musical-theatre creator highlights the personal struggles behind one of the most successful careers in entertainment history.
In a profile published by The Hollywood Reporter, the 78-year-old [2] described a desperate downward spiral that threatened both his health and his marriage. Lloyd Webber said his wife told him she could not go on if he continued drinking.
"Sixteen months ago I decided that I needed help and it’s the best thing that ever happened to me," Lloyd Webber said [1].
Reports on the timeline of his sobriety vary. While Lloyd Webber said he sought help 16 months ago [1], other reports indicate he first announced he had stopped drinking in 2016 [3]. Some sources suggest he continued to drink secretly for years after that initial 2016 announcement [4].
Despite the contradictions regarding his past attempts at sobriety, the composer maintains that his current commitment to recovery is transformative. He continues to participate in the daily support structure of AA to maintain his health.
“"Sixteen months ago I decided that I needed help and it’s the best thing that ever happened to me."”
The public disclosure of addiction by a figure of Lloyd Webber's stature brings visibility to the challenges of substance abuse among high-profile artists. By detailing the impact of his drinking on his marriage and health, the composer provides a narrative of recovery that emphasizes the necessity of structured support systems like Alcoholics Anonymous over solitary attempts at sobriety.
