In a heartfelt conversation with People, Zelda Williams reminisces about the joyous holiday moments spent with her legendary father, Robin Williams, before his tragic passing in 2014. It's a touching look into the lives of a family shaped by love, laughter, and the unique challenges that come with a dad who was one of the world's most beloved comedians.
Holiday Traditions with a Twist
As Zelda explains, her dad's demanding career often made it difficult to keep traditional holiday routines alive. "Dad's job made it pretty hard to keep anything like a yearly tradition really, aside from Thanksgiving or days when sets would shut down," she said in an interview published on December 17. "So we didn’t really have much in the way of those traditions, but cooking together was a big part of our family." Zelda fondly recalls the Tuesdays they’d spend gathered around the dining table, sharing meals with whoever was in town. It was a chance for the family to connect, even if it wasn't on the typical holiday schedule.
Cooking as a Family Bond
Despite the unconventional approach to holidays, Zelda treasures the memories she created with her siblings and parents. "My brothers and my dad were not good cooks," she laughed. "But my mom and I would take part, and it was a big part of our family." Cooking together wasn’t just about preparing food; it was about creating moments of genuine connection and laughter. It’s clear that even in the absence of traditional festivities, the Williams family found their own special ways to celebrate life.
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A Legacy of Love and Laughter
Born in 1989 to Robin and his second wife, Marsha Garces Williams, Zelda grew up alongside her brother, Cody Williams, who was born in 1991. Robin also had a son, Zak Williams, from his first marriage to Valerie Velardi. Though their lives were often busy and scattered, the importance of being together was never lost. "Being together was the important thing," Zelda emphasized. "Especially with people scattered to the wind with work, it became even more special to do that." These moments, no matter how small, were deeply meaningful.
Robin Williams' untimely death in 2014 left a profound impact on the world, but especially on his family. Now adults with their own busy lives, Zelda, Cody, and Zak continue to honor their father's memory by keeping the family close, especially during the holidays. "Christmas is not a really big deal in my family," Zelda shared. "We usually use it to see each other and then just travel." It's a simple yet powerful way to keep the spirit of their dad alive.
Grieving in the Spotlight
Zelda has been open about the challenges of grieving her father’s death while the world mourned alongside her. In August 2020, on the sixth anniversary of Robin’s passing, she took to Twitter to express her feelings. "As I’ve said in the past, while I am constantly touched by all of your boundless continued love for him, some days it can feel a bit like being seen as a roadside memorial — a place, not a person — where people drive past and leave their sentiments to then go about their days comforted their love for him was witnessed," she wrote. Zelda went on to explain how the weight of others' memories could sometimes overshadow her own. "But sometimes that leaves me emotionally buried under a pile of other’s memories instead of my own," she added. "After all, even roses by the truckload still weigh a ton."
