ANDREW Lloyd Webber has revealed he has been battling alcoholism and sought help 16 months ago, calling it the best decision of his life.
The legendary composer admitted he secretly drank for years after publicly vowing to quit a decade ago.
He described his initial promise to stop drinking as “all bravado” and confessed to spinning lies about his habits to those close to him.
Why This Matters
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s candid admission humanizes addiction in a global icon, reduces stigma, highlights the importance of seeking help and accountability, and may encourage others—especially public figures—to prioritize recovery and family over secrecy.
“I was doing what they call ‘white-knuckling’, without any backup,” he told The Times, admitting the pressure to stay sober without support led him back to alcohol.
Andrew said his family reached a desperate point, with his wife feeling she couldn’t continue amid his secret drinking.
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After a failed stint in a clinic, he found solace in Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, which he now attends daily across his homes in London, Hampshire and New York.
“What I love about it is, you go into a room and everybody’s equal. I’ve made friends that I wouldn’t have thought possible,” he said.
The 78-year-old credits sobriety with bringing his family closer, recalling how his youngest daughter celebrated his one-year sober milestone with balloons.
He also wears two leather bracelets as daily reminders—one for his living children and one for his late son Nicholas, who died from gastric cancer and had his own battle with alcoholism.
“I look at them and they stop me drinking,” Andrew said.
Known for iconic musicals like The Phantom of the Opera and School of Rock, Andrew’s candidness sheds light on the personal struggles behind his public success.
His ongoing recovery stands as a testament to his resilience and commitment to family.
