Vicky Cornell Offers First TV Interview Since Chris Cornell’s Death
Chris Cornell's widow, Vicky Cornell, has given her first on-camera interview since the late Soundgarden singer's death last May, offering her thoughts regarding his struggle with addiction and how it may have affected his state of mind during his final days.
Speaking with ABC News correspondent Robin Roberts for a segment aired during the Feb. 21 broadcast of Good Morning America, Cornell insisted that the man she knew wasn't given to the sort of stereotypical rock-star excess that's led other artists to an early grave. "My husband was the furthest thing from a rock-star junkie. He just wasn't," she told Roberts. "He was the best husband, the greatest father. I lost my soulmate and the love of my life."
Cornell has been outspoken regarding the role she believes prescription medication played in her husband's suicide, and she underscored that position in her interview. "He wanted to be there for his family, for his children. He loved his life ... he would never have ever left this world," she added. "I don't think that he could make any decisions because of the level of impairment."
Like many survivors, Cornell also acknowledged that she struggles with guilt over whether she should have paid more attention to his behavior during the days leading up to his death. Ultimately, while she said she can see signs of trouble in retrospect, the biggest lesson — and the one she tried imparting through her Good Morning America appearance — is the insidious nature of addiction.
"People think that addiction is like, 'Oh, you were an addict.' I was, I feel, guilty of the same thing," Cornell admitted. "You think addiction is a choice. And it's not."