• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Former Studio 54 Owner Mark Fleischman Has Ended His Life At Dignitas

Home> News

Updated 21:27 13 Jul 2022 GMT+1Published 21:01 13 Jul 2022 GMT+1

Former Studio 54 Owner Mark Fleischman Has Ended His Life At Dignitas

The 82-year-old had suffered with illness over recent years and said he felt like a 'vegetable'

Dominic Smithers

Dominic Smithers

The former owner of Studio 54 has ended his life at Dignitas, it has been confirmed.

Mark Fleischman took over the iconic venue back in the 1980s, and was surrounded by the likes of Andy Warhol, Calvin Klein, Liza Minelli and Cher, who all partied there.

However, in the past few years, the 82-year-old has suffered with illness and said he now felt like a 'vegetable'. And last month, it was revealed that he had decided to take his own life on 13 July.

Announcing his death, his former business partner Daniel Fitzgerald told the BBC: "I guess he was in more pain than we knew."

Advert

Mr Fitzgerald held a living wake for Mr Fleischman last week, in the hope that he would postpone his decision to go to Switzerland, where assisted dying is legal.

Mark Fleischman used to own the iconic Studio 54.
Alamy

He added: "I thought maybe we could convince him not to [go].

"We had a really nice party for him and a lot of his friends came, and everyone thought, 'he's going to postpone it a month and we'll see what we can do'. But he was set on doing it."

Advert

Speaking to the New York Post about his ill health and his decision to go to Dignitas, Mr Fleischman said he had lost his independence.

He told the outlet: "I can't walk, my speech is f**ked up and I can't do anything for myself.

"My wife helps me get into bed and I can't dress or put on my shoes. I am taking a gentle way out. It is the easiest way out for me."

The entrepreneur revealed that he had actually been considering taking his own life for a couple of years.

Advert

His wife Mimi, to whom he had been married for 27 years, initially tried to talk him out of it, but eventually accepted the fact that his mind was made up and agreed to fly with him to Zurich.

She told the New York Post: "It’s going to be horrible. He is my partner and we are devoted to each other. So it is the end of a part of me as well.

"I have to honour what he wants. [But] he is not giving me a choice. He wants to end his life and this is a dignified way to do it."

The 82-year-old ended his life at Dignitas today (13 July).
Getty

Advert

Discussing his plans, Mr Fleischman said: "We're staying in a beautiful place, a resort on the lake.

"I used to play tennis, and they have tennis courts there. Considering that I have never been to Zurich, maybe we will sight-see a little bit.

"Then, on Wednesday, I meet in the apartment that Dignitas has. I take a drink, I fall asleep and that's it."

Adding: "I was going to go to Zurich and 'have a stroke' while on vacation.

Advert

"I think people are ashamed [of assisted suicide]. But there is no shame in what I am doing. It is proper and reasonable at my age. I have done everything and been everywhere and met everyone I want to meet."

If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123 

Featured Image Credit: Getty/Alamy

Topics: US News, Celebrity

Dominic Smithers
Dominic Smithers

Dominic Smithers is the News/Agenda Desk Lead, covering the latest trends and breaking stories. After graduating from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and History, he went on to write for the Manchester Evening News, the Accrington Observer and the Macclesfield Express. So as you can imagine, he’s spent many a night wondering just how useful that second language has been. But c'est la vie.

X

@SmithersDom

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Hugh Hefner's ex Holly Madison describes unhygienic details in the Mansion after Kendra Wilkinson revealed his 'nasty' poo habit
  • Kanye West accused by former assistant of drugging and sexually assaulting her at a Diddy party
  • Adult film star Kylie Page found dead at age 28 as company issues heartbreaking statement
  • Cassie details 'traumatizing' final interactions with Diddy after she ended their 'abusive' 10-year relationship

Choose your content:

7 hours ago
8 hours ago
9 hours ago
  • 7 hours ago

    Someone who invested $7,793 into Bitcoin 14 years ago and only just accessed it is now worth a staggering amount

    After 14 years of lying dormant, two bitcoin wallets holding 10,000 bitcoin each were activated this week

    News
  • 8 hours ago

    Elon Musk reveals 'two-part plan' to take control of US Congress with 'America Party'

    The Tesla boss has a new idea to shake up politics in the US

    News
  • 8 hours ago

    Expert issues urgent warning for anyone thinking about travelling whilst on Ozempic or Mounjaro

    Those on Ozempic or Mounjaro may face problems abroad if they don't declare it

    News
  • 9 hours ago

    YouTuber Nikocado Avocado shares shocking results of plastic surgery after 250lb weight loss

    Nikocado explained that following his weight loss, he sought the help of a plastic surgeon

    News