In 2013, Amy Winehouse’s brother Alex Winehouse spoke to the Observer (via E! News) about her battle with bulimia. Alex shared, “We all knew she was doing it, but it’s almost impossible [to tackle] especially if you’re not talking about it. It’s a real dark, dark issue.” He noted that her struggles were no secret. He added, “She would have died eventually, the way she was going, but what really killed her was the bulimia… Absolutely terrible.” He explained that her eating disorder significantly weakened her health.
As reported by the Mirror, author Ian Halperin shared some alarming details about Amy’s final days. In his book, he wrote, “She was living on fumes in those final weeks, she was rail thin and was existing on cigarettes and beverages; and when I saw beverages it wasn’t H2O.”
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In 2014, Amy’s friend Naomi Parry talked to Cosmopolitan about the late singer’s eating disorders, which also included restricting her food intake. She gave some insight into the origins of her struggles, saying, “I think Amy started to lose control in other aspects of her life, which led her to control her eating instead.” When Parry lived with Amy, she was supportive but not pushy, gently encouraging her friend to eat healthy, nourishing meals. Perry ended up writing Amy a letter addressing her concerns and displaying her support. She noted that it caused a brief shift in her friend.
If you need help with an eating disorder, or know someone who does, help is available. Visit the National Eating Disorders Association website or contact NEDA’s Live Helpline at 1-800-931-2237. You can also receive 24/7 Crisis Support via text (send NEDA to 741-741).
