Image Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images
The DJ was just 28 when he died seven years ago
Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.
Avicii left a heart-wrenching final entry in his diary the day before his tragic death at the age of 28.
Today (20 April) marks the seventh anniversary of the popular DJ's passing in 2018, which left the music world reeling.
The Swedish musician - real name Tim Bergling - took his own life after struggling with substance abuse and his mental health for several years. His heartbroken family shared an open letter at the time offering an insight into Avicii's battles, saying he 'wanted to find peace'.
The poignant piece read: "Our beloved Tim was a seeker, a fragile artistic soul searching for answers to existential questions.
"An over-achieving perfectionist who travelled and worked hard at a pace that led to extreme stress.
"When he stopped touring, he wanted to find a balance in life to be able to be happy and to do what he loved most - music.
Avicii passed away seven years ago after battling with his mental health (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
"He really struggled with thoughts about meaning, life, happiness," it continued. "He could now not go on any longer. He wanted to find peace.
"Tim was not made for the business machine he found himself in; he was a sensitive guy who loved his fans but shunned the spotlight.
"Tim, you will forever be loved and sadly missed. The person you were and your music will keep your memory alive."
Avicii's life was the subject of a Netflix documentary last year, titled Avicii: I'm Tim, which delved into the impact fame had on him, while featuring interviews with stars including from Chris Martin, Nile Rodgers, and David Guetta.
It features a narration from Avicii himself, taken from an interview late in his career, alongside unseen interviews and archive footage.
In the emotional documentary, the DJ, best known for hits such as 'Wake Me Up' and 'I Could Be the One', discussed how he was dealing with 'crippling' anxiety and how non-stop touring was 'killing' him.
Avicii's struggles were also unearthed in the 2021 book, Tim - The Official Biography Of Avicii, which was penned by Swedish journalist Måns Mosesson.
He interviewed the prominent people in the music star's life such as his parents, Anki Lidén and Klas Bergling, former girlfriends, friends, and his collaborators.
The 28-year-old DJ was described as a 'fragile artistic soul' by his family (Taylor Hill/Getty Images)
Mosesson also had access to a string of Avicii's personal possessions, including a diary where he detailed his inner thoughts while spending time in rehab for addiction and mental health issues.
Reflecting on his time there, Avicii said in one entry: "Those days in hospital were the most anxiety and stress-free days I can remember the past six years, those were my true vacations, as depressing as it might sound.
"The relief of going from extreme pain to none, knowing that no one is expecting anything other than for you to wait it out and then recover was huge.
"It was an extreme relief considering the insane schedule I had kept up until that point."
The final time he wrote in his journal - the day before he took his own life - Avicii made a cryptic reference to rebirth.
The 28-year-old said: "The shedding of the soul is the last attachment, before it restarts!"
vicii's father has also opened up about the 'excruciatingly painful' intervention he had for his beloved son during the height of his struggles.
His friends have spoke out about the star's final days and how they dealt with his death seven years ago, too.
Following his death, Avicii's parents launched the Tim Bergling Foundation, which honours his memory through raising awareness for mental health issues and suicide prevention.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123.
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