Hailey Tran
David Cassidy, the former teen heartthrob and Partridge Family star, was admitted to a hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 2017 with liver and kidney failure. The musician had previously struggled with alcohol abuse, resulting in three DUI arrests in five years. In the last years of his life, Cassidy faced health problems and memory loss, and he even fell off the stage during a concert in California. He was rushed to the hospital and later confessed that he had liver disease and that his life had changed dramatically. Cassidy died of liver failure on November 21, 2017, at the age of 67.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for hospitalisation | Liver and kidney failure |
| Year of hospitalisation | 2017 |
| Age at hospitalisation | 67 |
| Place of hospitalisation | Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
| Status at hospitalisation | Critical |
| Treatment | Medically induced coma |
| Cause of hospitalisation | Alcoholism, liver disease |
| Other health issues | Dementia, memory loss |
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What You'll Learn
David Cassidy's battle with alcoholism
David Cassidy, the singer and actor known for his role in The Partridge Family, died at the age of 67 in November 2017. His death was caused by liver and kidney failure, which experts say was a result of his alcoholism.
Cassidy had a long history of alcohol abuse, with three DUI arrests in five years, the last two coming within six months of each other in 2010 and 2014. He was also admitted to rehab in South Florida following his 2014 arrest. In an interview, Cassidy acknowledged the severity of his problem, stating that if he took another drink, he would die. He also expressed hope, stating that admitting to his disease was a relief.
Cassidy's struggle with alcoholism was influenced by several factors. One factor was his father, actor Jack Cassidy, who also struggled with alcoholism. Cassidy's memoir reveals that he once saw his father drink 15 Scotch and sodas. Another factor was the disrespect he felt in his 20s, despite his success in breaking the Beatles' record for sold-out shows at Wembley Stadium. He began spending time with heavy drinkers such as Alice Cooper and John Lennon.
In the last years of his life, Cassidy maintained that he was sober. However, a documentary titled "David Cassidy: The Last Session" revealed that this was not the case. In the documentary, Cassidy confessed that he had lied about his drinking to cover up his sadness and emptiness. He also admitted that his dementia, which he had previously attributed to Alzheimer's disease, was actually a temporary condition brought on by his alcoholism.
Cassidy's battle with alcoholism ultimately led to his death from organ failure, leaving fans mourning the loss of a talented singer and actor.
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The cause of his hospitalisation
David Cassidy was hospitalised in 2017 due to liver and kidney failure. He was admitted to the intensive care unit of a hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and was in a critical but stable condition. The singer was conscious and surrounded by family, according to his spokeswoman. Doctors were hoping to keep Cassidy stable until a liver became available for transplant.
Cassidy had a history of alcohol abuse and had been arrested multiple times for driving under the influence. In 2014, he was sentenced to three months in rehab and five years of probation for drink-driving. Despite his attempts to remain sober, Cassidy continued to struggle with alcoholism.
In February 2017, Cassidy fell off the stage during a concert and announced that he had dementia and would stop touring. However, in a phone conversation with an A&E producer, Cassidy stated that he did not have dementia and that his health issues were due to alcohol poisoning and liver disease.
Cassidy's hospitalisation in 2017 was a result of his long-standing struggle with alcohol abuse and the resulting liver and kidney failure.
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His diagnosis of dementia
In February 2017, David Cassidy revealed that he had been diagnosed with dementia at the age of 66. He shared that his mother and grandfather had also suffered from the disease. He also stated that he had been in denial about his diagnosis but that a part of him always knew it was coming. Following this revelation, Cassidy announced that he would stop touring as a musician.
Cassidy did not specify the type of dementia he had been diagnosed with. However, dementia is a group of symptoms resulting from changes in the brain that affect people's ability to carry out everyday activities. Doctors diagnose dementia when people have impairments in at least two out of five core brain functions, including memory, communication and language, the ability to focus, reasoning and judgment, and visual perception.
Most types of dementia are progressive disorders, meaning the symptoms get worse over time. However, some symptoms of dementia are reversible. For example, thyroid problems, exposure to heavy metals, and reactions to certain medications can cause dementia-like symptoms that can be treated.
Cassidy's diagnosis led him to speak at events for the Alzheimer's Foundation of America to raise awareness about the disease. Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia, accounting for up to 80% of cases. It is characterised by the buildup of proteins known as beta-amyloid and tau in the brain.
Despite his initial diagnosis and public announcement, Cassidy later claimed that he did not have dementia. In a documentary titled "David Cassidy: The Last Session," he attributed his health problems to alcoholism and liver disease. He stated that there were no signs of dementia and that his issues were due to alcohol poisoning. Cassidy passed away in November 2017 at the age of 67 due to organ failure.
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His liver and kidney failure
David Cassidy, the former teen idol and star of The Partridge Family, died aged 67 in 2017 from liver and kidney failure. His hospitalisation came after he fell ill in a recording studio.
Cassidy had a well-documented struggle with alcoholism, which ultimately led to his death. In the years before his death, Cassidy had three DUI arrests in five years and went to rehab in 2014. Despite his attempts to remain sober, he continued to battle alcoholism.
Cassidy himself acknowledged the impact of alcohol on his health, telling A&E producer Saralena Weinfield:
> "I have a liver disease. There is no sign of me having dementia at this stage of my life. It was complete alcohol poisoning."
Cassidy's memory loss and erratic behaviour were also attributed to his drinking. Hepatologist David S. Goldberg has commented that even patients with cirrhosis may be able to heal through lifestyle changes such as alcohol abstinence and weight loss. However, Cassidy's liver disease had progressed beyond this point, and he passed away three days after being admitted to hospital.
Cassidy's death has raised awareness of liver disease, particularly among his generation. Experts note that liver disease often has no symptoms until it reaches advanced stages, but it is entirely reversible if caught in time.
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His death at the age of 67
David Cassidy, the former teen heartthrob, died at the age of 67 after being hospitalized with massive organ failure. Born in 1950, Cassidy pursued acting and music after high school, signing with Universal Studios in 1969. His major breakthrough came in 1970 when he portrayed Keith Partridge on The Partridge Family, which brought him stardom and made him a 1970s teen idol.
However, despite his success, Cassidy struggled with alcohol abuse and was arrested multiple times for driving under the influence. In 2014, he was sentenced to rehab and probation for drink-driving. In his final years, Cassidy also faced financial troubles, filing for bankruptcy in 2015.
In February 2017, Cassidy announced that he was living with dementia and would be retiring from performing. He revealed that his mother and grandfather had suffered from the disease and that he had watched it overtake them. Later that year, in November, Cassidy was hospitalized with liver and kidney failure and was critically ill, requiring a liver transplant. He died on November 21, 2017, at the age of 67, surrounded by his loved ones.
Cassidy's death saddened many fans and colleagues, with his family releasing a statement expressing their grief. His legacy includes not only his musical success, with hit singles such as "Cherish" and "How Can I Be Sure", but also his impact on popular culture, as evidenced by the term "'David Cassidy Fever,' coined after a tragic stampede at one of his concerts in 1974.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, David Cassidy had a long history of alcohol abuse, which resulted in three DUI arrests in five years. He also suffered from liver disease and dementia.
Yes, David Cassidy was hospitalized in 2017 for liver and kidney failure. He was admitted to the intensive care unit of a hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and was in a medically induced coma.
Unfortunately, David Cassidy passed away on November 21, 2017, at the age of 67 due to liver failure.
