They Kept Gene Wilder’s Alzheimer’s A Secret For YEARS. His Son Reveals Why.

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As the world learns the sad news of Gene Wilder's death, his beloved family has released information about Wilder's final years that had previously been kept private.

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In a statement released August 29, 2016, Wilder's family explained the heartwarming reason why Wilder kept his Alzheimer's diagnosis to himself.

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Jordan Walker-Pearlman wrote on behalf of the Wilder family, expressing unbearable sadness mingled with gratitude over Wilder's passing.

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"It is with indescribable sadness and blues, but with spiritual gratitude for the life lived that I announce the passing of husband, parent and universal artist Gene Wilder, at his home in Stamford Connecticut. It is almost unbearable for us to contemplate our life without him," the statement began.

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The statement went on to explain the cause of death as complications from Alzheimer's disease, which Wilder had lived with for the past three years. Wilder requested that his family keep the information private.

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"The choice to keep this private was his choice," Walker-Pearlman continued, "in talking with us and making a decision as a family." The statement continued to explain that while the disease took "enough" of Wilder's life, his family considers themselves lucky, as Wilder was always able to recognize his most intimate family members.

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"The decision to wait until this time to disclose his condition wasn't vanity, but more so that the countless young children that would smile or call out to him ‘there's Willy Wonka,' would not have to then be exposed to an adult referencing illness or trouble and causing delight to travel to worry, disappointment or confusion," Walker-Pearlman explained.

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In short, Wilder, "simply couldn't bear the idea of one less smile in the world."

Even during his own affliction, Wilder still put others' well-being ahead of his own, preferring to be remembered for the joy and laughter he brought to the world.

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In conclusion, Walker-Pearlman disclosed the final, intimate moments of Wilder's life.

"As our hands clutched and he performed one last breath the music speaker, which was set to random, began to blare out one of his favorites: Ella Fitzgerald."

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"She was singing ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow' as he was taken away. We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams."

Our hearts are with the Wilder family during this time of grief.