"Why Not Me?" 'Starsky & Hutch' Star Paul Michael Glaser Talked About His "Anger And Guilt" Over The Death Of His Wife And Child
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"Why Not Me?" 'Starsky & Hutch' Star Paul Michael Glaser Talked About His "Anger And Guilt" Over The Death Of His Wife And Child
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Paul Michael Glaser, famously known for his role in the TV show Starsky & Hutch, has had some tough experiences.
Once a famous TV hunk that had the attention of many ladies, Paul said he eventually had to get used to the idea of being alone after the loss of his wife and child.
Years after these big losses, Paul sad his biggest fear used to be ending up alone. He told the UK DailyMail:
I don’t fear that any more because I’ve come to terms a lot with aloneness over the years and I’m much more comfortable than I’ve ever been with it.
Dealing with his losses
In a 2013 interview with the UK Mirror, Paul opened up about the emotions he experienced after the death of his daughter and his wife.
In 1985, Paul and wife Elizabeth took their four-year-old daughter Ariel to the doctors due to severe stomach aches. The girl was soon tested positive for HIV. It turned out that Elizabeth contracted the virus when she received an unscreened blood transfusion after Ariel’s birth.
She was unaware that she was carrying the virus which was transmitted to the girl during breastfeeding. And three years later, the Glasers had a son Jake who was infected with HIV in the womb. Paul was the only one in the family to be tested negative.
Ariel passed away at the age of seven in 1988. In 1994, Elizabeth passed away. but not before she embarked upon a vigorous campaign for stronger research into HIV.
Coming to terms with his grief was tough for Paul who said:
I was full of rage, anger and guilt that I couldn’t do anything to stop this. I’d ask, ‘Why me? Why Me?’ But the only answer to that question was, ‘Why not me?’
He confessed to being so depressed that he considered ending it all.
In my darkest moments I probably thought about ending it. But nothing made sense, even that.
Rather than give up, he chose to channel his pain into making an impact by sharing his story and raising more awareness for the disease.
Jake’s work
Before she passed away, Elizabeth Glaser created the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation in order to help HIV-positive children.
Getty Images / Ideal Image
Years later, her son Jake continued her good work to help those who are coping with the disease while also advocating for better life choices.
Paul’s tragic losses devastated him, but they have also inspired a new wave of awareness and positivity regarding HIV/AIDS.
