It has been 15 years since Amy Winehouse tragically passed away on July 23, 2011, from accidental alcohol poisoning at only 27 years old. And no matter how much time has passed, the loss doesn’t get any easier, especially for those who knew and loved her so much, like her mom. However, she’s determined to live life and honor her daughter the best way she knows how amid her grief.
In an interview with The i Paper this week, Janis Winehouse looked back on her daughter’s life on the 15th anniversary of her tragic death, saying that “she was a victim of her own success.” Fans know Amy rose to fame through her music in the early 2000s, releasing two albums, Frank and Back to Black. She won six Grammys during her career, including Best New Artist, Best Pop Vocal Album for Back to Black, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for Rehab. However, Janis shared that the jazz artist never wanted such success:
“She didn’t want it, but it just followed her. And she’d be like, ‘Who, me?'”
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According to the 72-year-old mother, while Amy seemed like such a powerhouse on stage, she was “actually nervous” in real life, which led her to drink:
“She didn’t have confidence. Hence the alcohol. I think it’s the same with many, many addicts with alcohol. The alcohol takes away the pain. And that is a horrible thing with addiction.”
Sadly, addiction took Amy’s life far too soon. It is an unimaginable, horrible nightmare for any parent to have to say goodbye to their child. And as for how Janis is handling her grief all these years later? Her answer is surprising. She said:
“I’m just getting on with it because that’s what I do. I get on with life. I live it.”
What also helps is doing some good in her daughter’s honor. Shortly after Amy died, Janis co-founded the Amy Winehouse Foundation, which works “to inspire children and young people to build their self-esteem and resilience,” per the website. The organization also runs a women’s recovery home called Amy’s Place in London.
Jane Winehouse — who is Amy’s stepmother and the co-founder and director of the Amy Winehouse Foundation — told the outlet that the singer “would love the woman” at the recovery house:
“It’s very true to her. Everyone here is so real. To be here, to engage properly in recovery, you have to get real. You quickly connect to people on quite a visceral level that you don’t necessarily connect with people in everyday life.”
It’s hard to believe it has been 15 years since Amy died. We are keeping her family in our thoughts during this difficult anniversary. What are your reactions to Janis’ comments, Perezcious readers? Let us know in the comments (below).
If you or someone you know is experiencing substance abuse, help is available. Consider checking out the resources SAMHSA provides at https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline or check out StartYourRecovery.org.
[Image via Simon Burchell/Z.Tomaszewski/WENN]
