How Robert Downey Jr.’s Wife Got Him To Become Sober For Good

Robert Downey Jr. and his wife Susan have been married for decades and have three kids together. While their relationship is very solid now, things were a bit rocky during the days of Robert’s addiction. The couple opened up about those times in a recent interview.

Susan explained, “With someone with addiction you know it has nothing to do with someone else, they have to be ready. If you can be a small part of creating an alternative world for them that says, ‘Hey I’m here if you’re clean.’ There’s no credit I will ever take other than basically saying, ‘Here’s what I need to have happen, or more importantly what can’t be happening,’ but it’s entirely that person.”

Robert Downey Jr. and his wife Susan Downey open up about his addiction and her ultimatum

Robert added, “The clearest conversation I’ve ever had in my life. You know when someone is being so clear with you with something you go, ‘There is zero wiggle room here.’ Ultimatums work.” Robert and Susan also explored drug and alcohol addiction in the new documentary Sr. about Robert’s late father, Robert Downey Sr.

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Unfortunately, Robert Downey Sr. struggled with addiction in his life as well. The synopsis of the movie, filmed entirely in black and white, reads, “The film explores Downey Sr.’s life and work, including his influential 1969 satirical comedy, ‘Putney Swope.’ The documentary also unpacks personal themes ranging from creativity and mortality to fatherhood and generational trauma. Downey Sr.’s relationship with his son, Robert Downey Jr., is a prominent part of the story.”

Sr. is currently airing on Netflix.

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