Robin Williams' children, Zak, Zelda, and Cody Williams, are actively working to maintain their late father's legacy, specifically through his Instagram account. The three siblings have stated their intention to keep the account as an authentic space for his "unique talent and humor."
"As we recognize what would be our Dad's 75th year, we're grateful to see new generations discovering his work while longtime fans continue to celebrate the joy he brought into their lives," they shared in a joint statement. They aim for the platform to be a "safe, trusted place where the stories, photos, videos, and memories shared reflect his legacy with authenticity, warmth, and care."
Zelda Williams specifically addressed concerns about the reactivation of the account, acknowledging that it might be "triggering" for some. She explained that curating the account with genuine clips and photos is a way to "fight back against rampant AI abuse of his voice and likeness." She has previously requested that people stop sending her AI-generated content of her father, describing the practice as "maddening" and a "disgusting, over-processed hotdog" representation of a person's life.
Robin Williams passed away on August 11, 2014, at the age of 63. His death was later attributed to complications from Lewy body disease, a form of dementia, following struggles with anxiety, depression, and Parkinson's Disease.
In July, for what would have been his 75th birthday, Zak and Zelda shared personal tributes. Zelda reflected on his potential 75th year, imagining "the same loud socks and cool jackets" and "crazy glasses," while Zak remembered his father's "weirdness and his extraordinary capacity to love" and his desire to see the world "free of human and animal suffering."