Phil Collins recalled the moment he was about to die: "People came to say goodbye"

Phil Collins revealed in a recent interview that he nearly died in 2024 due to his long-standing alcohol addiction, which led to severe health complications and strained family relationships. During a conversation with The Times this weekend, the musician described how his life was turned upside down after being hospitalized in Switzerland for several months. His condition deteriorated rapidly, requiring him to be placed in intensive care. According to Collins, his organs were failing, and he was almost unconscious during part of his stay. His manager, fearing the worst, called his five children to say goodbye. “The people came to say farewell,” Collins recalled, though he had little memory of the moment. He admitted that he was unaware of the severity of his situation at the time. “Everyone was worried they might not see me again. Everything could have gone terribly wrong,” he said, reflecting on one of the darkest periods of his life. Collins' struggles with alcoholism began years earlier, affecting both his personal and professional life. During the 2022 tour marking the end of Genesis, he had to perform while seated on a chair due to his poor health. Despite the challenges, he survived and vowed never to drink again. “I was very lucky to come through that. There’s no need to say it, but I haven’t touched a drop since then,” he told fans. The consequences of his addiction extended beyond his physical well-being. It damaged his relationships with his children and former spouses. His daughter Lily Collins, born from his relationship with Jill Tavelman, wrote in her memoir Unfiltered: No Shame, No Regrets, Just Me that she forgave him for not being there when she needed him and for not being the father she hoped for. She expressed regret over past mistakes but emphasized that it wasn’t too late for reconciliation. Despite their shared history, Lily and Phil maintain a close bond. After his latest hospitalization, she publicly supported him, even sharing emotional moments from Christmas 2024. “Lily was sitting beside me crying and saying, ‘I never thought I’d live through these moments.’ We had a wonderful time. I can’t put into words how amazing it was,” Collins reflected. He acknowledged the tension caused by Lily’s earlier public statements but noted that their relationship has improved significantly. “I was surprised and a bit sad when she wrote those things, but now she explains why and retracts everything. I wish I hadn’t done it. Now we have a great relationship,” he said. Collins has four other children besides Lily: Simon and Joely, from his first marriage to Andrea Bertorelli, and Nicholas and Matthew, from his third marriage to Orianne Cevey. In more recent times, Collins has found renewed purpose. He celebrated his 75th birthday with a heartfelt post on social media, accompanied by a photo with Lily. This new chapter marks a turning point for the artist, who has worked to rebuild his life and relationships after years of struggle.