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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 (16)
I've been a Burt Bacharach fan for many years. I would like to give this condolence for the family of Nikki. I was diagnosed with the same disorder called Aspergers Syndrome. Nikki is only a year older than me. I was diagnosed with this type of Autism last year. In the past years of my life. I had difficulty getting along with other kids . From Elementary and throughout High School. Trying to fit in with other groups of people in school is a struggle with someone who has AS. Several different people who I met in the past. Even until now. Often misunderstands the real me. It is frustrating. All of us Asperger's sufferers live in silence, fear, loneliness and depression.
- Simon, Richmond BC Canada, 24/09/2010 09:03
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Mark,rest assured you were not only friend Nikki had.I was at Wilson center from November of '90 till April of '91.She was in my group therapy and I thought she was beautiful and smart and funny-to me she looked like Sinead O'Connor.At the time I had been in a minor earthquake while visiting relatives in california and Nikki asked about a jillion questions.one of the things she always wanted was to be in one.She had a beautiful smile.I lost touch w/about everyone I was at Wilson center with.I just learned of her death and it makes me sad.I wish I had held on to more connections-reading of Nikki's death makes me long for years gone by.
- Sam Powell, Lafayette United States, 22/08/2010 02:35
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Burt and Angie...I tutored your daughter Nikki in college algebra at the Wilson Center/Wilson Academy in Fairbault, Minnesota. I was a patient there too, just like her. I was her only friend there. The other kids treated her like a freak and I didn't like that. She had been there 9 years...the longest patient there at the time. She had a shaved head, talked about wanting to be a seismologist, studying earthquakes. Her and I would sit on the grass by the river there at the Wilson Center and talk. It was 1992...I was a "special kid" my parents adopted at 8 weeks old. I was a genius according to the psychological tests they gave me there...the Stanford-Binet test and others...I was 18/19 at the time, Nikki I think was 24. I was there for 8 months before I was discharged on December 13th, 1992. I was there the day Nikki was discharged. For her celebration to be released she played drums on the song "Free Bird" by Lynrd Skynrd in the gym/basketball court there. I remember you guys showing up in your limo. I never met you. Nikki and I lost touch after she left and I didn't stay in contact with any of the other kids there. I went on to graduate from Purdue University and then later, after being in the U.S. Army, I went to graduate school at New York Film Academy in Manhattan, NYC to study directing. In all honesty, I simply looked you two up because I was looking for a producer for my first feature film "Cemetery Duel", then I looked up Nikki...Cont'd...
- Mark Zimmerman, Indianapolis, Indiana, 20/06/2010 07:05
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There is a wonderful group called "Grief Share". I have joined it and I recommend it to you both....How tragic to lose a child....My prayers are with you both.
Maggie O'Neill
- Maggie, Sacramento, California, 20/02/2010 03:09
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Wow - I just came across some old paperwork from when I was at CBWC with Nikki, searched for her name and found out the sad news. Nikki was truly unique (and misunderstood). She was the only person I've ever met who was content laying on the ground and watching the sky for hours. I often wondered if it was spiritual. One time, I had a ride in her parents limo when they visited her. That was pretty cool! But to Nikki, they were just her parents - not famous people. I'm glad I knew her and have my memories. My warmest thoughts and prayers go out to her parents and all those that knew and appreciated her!
- Sarah Belleau (Bishop), Green Bay, WI (USA), 08/12/2009 23:48
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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., 15/07/2009 03:34
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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, 07/08/2008 03:00
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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, 04/01/2008 03:14
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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, 02/01/2008 07:20
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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, 06/09/2007 03:59
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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, 06/09/2007 02:59
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God has her now. She is at peace.
- Terri, USA, 06/09/2007 02:59
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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, 06/09/2007 02:59
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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, 06/09/2007 02:59
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This is so sad. My deepest sympathy to Burt Bacharach and his family.
- Malcolm, Nottingham England, 06/09/2007 02:59
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...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, 06/09/2007 02:59
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