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Tormented daughter of Burt Bacharach commits suicide
Last updated at 22:37pm on 06.01.07
Top: Nikki aged nine with mother Angie. Below: Burt Bacharach.
Songwriter Burt Bacharach is mourning the death of his only daughter with actress Angie Dickinson after she committed suicide at the age of 40.
Nikki Bacharach, who had spent years battling the brain disorder Asperger's syndrome, took her own life on Thursday night at her apartment in Thousand Oaks, California.
She died of suffocation using a plastic bag and helium, according to the coroner's office.
Mr Bacharach's spokeswoman Linda Dozoretz said: "She quietly and peacefully committed suicide to escape the ravages to her brain brought on by Asperger's.
"She loved kitties and earthquakes, glacial calving, meteor showers, science, blue skies and sunsets, and Tahiti."
Her 78-year-old father cancelled all his performing commitments until July, saying he was suffering from a shoulder injury.
Born prematurely in 1966, Lea Nikki Bacharach spent the first three months of her life in an incubator.
Her father, who won Oscars for composing Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head and Arthur's Theme, also wrote a song called Nikki about his daughter in 1969, when the full extent of her disorder was becoming clear.
It is best known as an instrumental but lyrics were written, including the touching chorus:
"Nikki, it's you
Nikki, where can you be?
It's you, no one but you for me
I've been so lonely since you went away
I won't spend a happy day
Til you're back in my arms."
The song was used as the theme for US TV network ABC's Movie of the Week slot.
He wrote a string of other hits, including What The World Needs Now is Love, Magic Moments, Twenty Four Hours From Tulsa, Walk On By, Always Something There To Remind Me and What's New Pussycat?
Nikki studied geology at Cal Lutheran University. With her father's support, she managed to complete the degree. But she could not pursue a career in the field because of poor eyesight.
Sufferers of Asperger's syndrome, a type of autism, have difficulty understanding other people's perspectives and often have narrow interests.
Nikki was the only child of Mr Bacharach and Angie Dickinson, 75, his second wife, whom he married in 1965.
Miss Dickinson, who got her big break playing opposite John Wayne in Rio Bravo and starred in the TV show Police Woman, met the songwriter in New York and agreed to come with him to London while he composed the score for the film What's New Pussycat? Ten weeks later they were married.
She said in a 1993 interview: "Marriage was wonderful for the first week and then good for about ten or 11 years. I read about the first affair he had in the newspapers.
"He said it was nonsense but I knew it was true. And, of course, he had many more.
"Why didn't I leave him after the first one? I suppose I blocked it out. It would have been different if I'd opened the door and found him in bed with another woman.
"But when you don't actually see it happening, you try not to think about it."
The couple divorced in 1980.
Of her daughter Nikki, she said: "When you almost lose a child you hold on to it even more tightly and I guess I over-compensated. I spoiled her badly."
Mr Bacharach married songwriter Carole Bayer Sager in 1982 but they divorced in 1991.
He has three other children. He adopted a son, Christopher, 21, with Carole and has two children, Oliver, 14, and Raleigh, 11, with his fourth wife, Jane Hansen.
Reader views (11)
To Angie and Burt,
I did not know nor have any idea your daughter had commited suicide when she did. I just happened to come across this website by accident. I know it has been some time now but I truly send my deepest love and condolences to both of you. I really believe in letting go to let GOD and for what ever reason this happened just know that Nikki is with OUR LORD and is really at peace. That is ALL she desired. We think in our finite minds that it is something other than that---NO, NOT at ALL!! Our Lord is holding her deep in HIS arms and telling her it is ALL OK and He loves her---that you both love her and ALWAYS will. These are not empty and vain words but words from HIM. Nikki is not forgotten and you will see her soon. God Bless you BOTH Angie and Burt.
- Addie, Bridgeton, N.J.
I went to elementary school with Nikki and know she was often teased because of her situation. Hopefully we can learn from this and know that she is in a better place. My thoughts go out to her family.
- Raj, Santa Monica, CA
Whatever it was that made you hurt so bad that you chose to leave us, I hope you're no longer hurting and at peace now. Bless your beautiful soul! I will never forget you, Nikki.
- Roza, Birmingham, UK
Aspergers is not a torment! These children are gifts from God and have a unique and beautiful perspective of the world. I have been blessed with a beautiful daughter who is sensitive, kind, compassionate, empathetic, funny, artistic, and brilliant. She is exactly the way she was meant to be. It is the outside world that has the handicap - these children and adults have so much to offer with their insight and incredible observations of the world around them. Listen to them, hear what they have to say and be kind.
- Carolyn Taylor, Burnaby, BC
I went to school with Nikki in Minnesota. We were really close.
She loved life and the outdoors, she did not like to be inside, she had
the most adventurous spirit. I will always remember her warmth and the insane fun we had together. She had great knowledge of many things. I will miss knowing she is here in person, but I know she lives on. My love goes out to Angie, I know she loved her daughter more than life itself.
- Lisa Fisher, Lockport, Illinois
My deepest sympathy to the family. It's sad and tragic yet this is the life Nikki was given and now she's at peace. I pray that Mr. Bacharach will find comfort in his music which has pulled me out of some very tragic times and into a better place. I saw him perform in Houston last year and am still beaming from the experience. I have never felt so emotional at any kind of concert before. His music touches the soul and heart as it is a devine gift he brings to us.
- Annette Wilzig, Houston, TX USA
...having autism, especially Asperger's Syndrome, is **not** a "torment". Far from it! Most of the great minds of history and today, in the arts and sciences, have most of the markers that identify them as being on the autistic spectrum. So to say that Nikki suicided because of her AS is utterly wrong. She had issues that caused her to become depressed to this point- those with AS do feel socially isolated, but not suicidal because of their AS.
How do I know? Because I have AS, also two of our four children are on the autistic spectrum, and i have battled severe depression, stemming from PTSD, for most of my life...
- Patricia G. Nichols, Saint Marys
God has her now. She is at peace.
- Terri, USA
My condolences on this tragic loss. Please know that your fans are thinking of you and hoping that both of you will have the strength to bear this burden. Both Ms. Dickinsen and Mr. Bacharach have given a great deal of pleasure and entertainment to others and I hope that in some small way they will take comfort that others are sharing their sadness and sorrow. God bless you and keep you strong.
- Maryjane Aulepp, Phoenix, AZ USA
My son too suffers from Asperger Syndrome. I thank God everyday that this disease is becoming more know and that people can get help. I know we have a long rode ahead of us and my thoughts and prayers are with the family of Nikki and also any of those who are in the same boat.
- Ty'S Mom, California, USA
This is so sad. My deepest sympathy to Burt Bacharach and his family.
- Malcolm, Nottingham England
