Ari Behn, Norwegian princess’ ex, shared battles with alcoholism before suicide

December 26, 2019


The “lonely” former member of Norway’s royal family who was one of Kevin Spacey’s sex assault accusers was candid about his battle with alcoholism,  and described his fear that he wouldn’t live to see his daughters grow up — years before he killed himself on Christmas,

Danish author Ari Behn, the ex-husband of Princess Martha Louise,  detailed his trouble with booze before their union ended in 2017.

“I work hard for lunch, and then I can take the first drink of the day at half past two. It is a bad habit I have admitted,” Behn told the Norwegian magazine Massiv in 2009.

Behn, 47,  who has three daughters with Martha Louise, said he worried that his battle with alcoholism would prevent him from seeing his children, the youngest of whom is 11, grow up and become adults.

“The only thing I fear is that I will not be able to complete the project I have started with my wife, namely to raise three wonderful daughters to become independent, wise individuals with critical empathy and a reality understanding that takes them far past Akersgata, to say it carefully,” Behn said, referring to the Oslo’s city center.

He described his life as “more and more lonely,” predicting that his habit of isolating himself would lead to him dying alone.

“I’m going to die without the company of anyone, but without being lonely and bitter,” he told the magazine. “It’s like I’m never really able to connect with anyone.”

Behn’s manager, Geir Hakonsund, confirmed Wednesday the “Sad as Hell” author’s death.

“It is with great sadness in our hearts that I on behalf of the very closest relatives of Ari Behn must announce that he took his own life today,” his manager said in an email to AFP.

Behn made headlines in 2017 when he came forward to accuse Spacey, 60, of groping him under a table at a Nobel Peace Prize concert. Spacey never responded to Behn’s allegation of sexual misconduct.

Another of the “American Beauty” actor’s accusers — an anonymous massage therapist — died in September under unknown circumstances.

The Oscar winner has been accused by more than a dozen men of sexual misconduct. In July, sexual assault charges in Massachusetts involving an 18-year-old man were dropped.

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