Burt Bacharach revealed in his 2013 memoirs the details of the death of his daughter Nikki (Nikki) after their marriage to Angie Dickinson (Angie Dickinson)
Nikki Dickinson is the daughter of Angie Dickinson and Burt Bacharach. She has been living a difficult life since she was born, and has been struggling as an adult until she finally ended her life in her 40s.
The legendary American composer Burt Bacharach had the most difficult moment of his life after losing his daughter Nikki Bacharach. The memory of her death is still a dark part of his life.
Nikki is the golden child of Burt and his wife, actress Angie Dickinson. She is an amazing actress who has a career spanning several years and starred in her movies with some prominent figures in Hollywood.
Angie Dickinson, Burt Bacharach and their daughter Lea Nikki by the pool | Photo: Getty Images
For his part, Burt has gained global recognition for his work for Dionne Warwick, Dusty Springfield, and Tom Jones, among others. He won two Oscars for his work. Unfortunately, the loss of Nikki was a turning point.
Nikki’s life seemed to be a perfect career for Burt, and it was a painful moment. However, from birth to death, the 40-year-old late man lived a sad life.
Angie Dickinson wears a backless golden lame evening dress with batwing sleeves, circa 1965.Photo: Getty Images
Poor early life and health
Three months earlier than the due date, Dickinson discovered that she was born prematurely and was on the verge of dangerous pregnancy. As a result, she was asked to stay in bed, but she eventually became infected.
Fearing to lose the baby, Dickinson went to the hospital to deliver the baby, not knowing whether she would see the baby alive, which changed the unfortunate thing.
Burt Bacharach and his wife Angie Dickinson watch Nicky play the piano in May 1974 | Photo: Getty Images
Fortunately, Nikki was born, but she will be the most vulnerable baby the couple have ever seen. Due to her premature delivery, Nikki was put in an incubator, where she stayed for another three months.
However, this is the least problem of the couple. After bringing her home, Burt and his famous wife seemed very happy to finally find the peace of a family, but it only took a few months to break everything.
When she was one year old, Nikki’s health problems began to show up. She was diagnosed with strabismus after her eye problems. This will not be her last problem.
Burt Bacharach and his wife Angie Dickinson play with Nicky in May 1974 | Photo: Getty Images
She uttered her first word when she was three years old, but she was already active enough to participate in sports activities such as gymnastics, horse riding, swimming, scuba diving and ballet.
Among her many health problems, Nicky has good musical skills and plays the piano very well. Her musical skills showed the powerful genes of her famous father, Bert.
Nikki struggles with the developmental disorder Asperger’s Syndrome (AS), which is a type of autism. Her main problem was how to deal with her condition, which ultimately affected her mother’s career.
In 1974, the composer Burt Bacharach Jr. (L) and his actress wife Angie Dickinson watched their daughter playing in the water in Hollywood.Photo: Getty Images
Dickinson suspended her career to take care of her sick daughter. As Nikki started to make admirable progress, reducing work and caring for her daughter proved to be helpful.
Nikki studied geology at California Lutheran University, and with the support of Burt, she managed to earn a degree. However, due to her poor eyesight, she was unable to pursue a career in this field.
Angie Dickinson and Burt Bacharach in Beverly Hills, California, April 1971 | Photo: Getty Images
One of Burt’s regretful decisions was to send Nikki to the laboratory school at UCLA, where there were children of all backgrounds, some of whom were disabled, and to isolate her from her warm mother. During school, Nikki was bullied by other students, which is still a painful experience for her.
As she grows older, Nicky’s inability to cope makes her the best, and she quickly becomes more explosive and angry with herself. It was only a matter of time before she ended her life in order to end the pain.
Burt Bacharach and his wife Angie Dickinson in a London Park in 1966 | Photo: Getty Images
Get a diagnosis and life in old age
Burt and his wife were surprised that Nikki could not cope despite being able to play the piano and make friends. After trying to help her many times, they sent Nikki to the mental hospital where she spent ten years.
In 2000, she received the correct diagnosis, and people realized that she had Asperger’s syndrome, which limited her social skills.
Asperger’s syndrome is a common developmental disorder in the autism spectrum. People with Asperger’s syndrome usually have high intelligence and rich knowledge in narrow subjects, but lack social skills.
Burt Bacharach and his wife Angie Dickinson in May 1974 | Photo: Getty Images
The last ten years of her life were full of pain and sorrow, which meant that Dickinson must pay 100% of her attention. In addition, her late diagnosis means that she is unaware of her condition for more than half of her life.
In 2007, 40-year-old Nikki was found dead in her apartment in California. According to reports, the coroner’s office stated that she suffocated to death using plastic bags and helium gas.
In 2013, Burt published a memoir about the loss of his only child with his ex-wife. In his memoir “Anyone with Heart: My Life and Music”, the famous composer revealed that he was shocked by Nicky’s death.
Composer Burt Bacharach and his wife and actress Angie Dickinson reviewed some of Burt’s new songs on their terrace. In 1960, Los Angeles, California.Photo: Getty Images
Although he noticed that she had threatened to end her life because she could not bear it anymore, he never thought she would do it because she was close to her mother.
He pointed out that at some point, she was tired of hearing the noise of the helicopter and started to hint at her actions. Burt sometimes wants him to heed these warnings.
Burt also revealed that she left him a note before death, and people saw this note after the body was found in her room. However, Burt admitted that he had never read this letter, and would never read it, because he said he knew the content of the letter.
Composer Burt Bacharach Jr. (L) and his actress wife Angie Dickinson watch their daughter riding a rocking horse. | Photo: Getty Images
The music legend blamed himself for sending Nicky away for many years and added that she resented him for it, and he hated himself for making such a decision that caused her more pain.
In addition to Nikki, Burt has three other children. He and his third wife Carole Bayer Sager adopted a son Christopher, and his fourth wife Jane Hansen had two children Oliver and Raleigh.
Music has always been Burt’s way of dealing with losses. After his daughter’s death, he focused on music. At the age of 93, he is still an active composer, although a large part of him tries to keep the past.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), send a “help” text message to the crisis text hotline 741-741, or visit Suicide Prevention Lifeline.org.
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