- Avicii, whose real name was Tim Bergling, took his life at the age of 28 in 2018
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Avicii’s father has revealed the heartbreaking comment the DJ made after his family staged an intervention in Ibiza – and how he is still struggling with ‘survivor’s guilt’ six years on from his son’s death.
The Swedish musician, who is the subject of a the new Netflix documentary Avicii: I’m Tim, tragically took his own life at the age of 28 in April 2018.
In his seven years in the spotlight, the artist – whose real name was Tim Bergling – achieved several top 10 singles across the globe and worked with world-famous artists such as Madonna, David Guetta, Lenny Kravitz and Coldplay.
Speaking to the BBC, Avicii’s father Klas recalled how the family stepped in to try and stop Tim spiralling further into painkiller and alcohol addiction in summer 2015.
At the time, he had achieved stratospheric commercial success with Hey Brother, which sold 2m copies in the US, and Wake Me Up, which was the UK’s fastest selling single of 2013.
However, Tim was struggling with his second album Stories, which had to be delayed several times amid his ongoing battle with addiction.
Reflecting on the intervention, Klas – who previously said he felt he had ‘betrayed’ his son with the move – added: ‘You confront your child who is completely unaware of what’s going to happen.
‘You see that he realises something is planned behind his back.’

The late Swedish musician (pictured in 2014), who is the subject of a the new Netflix documentary Avicii: I’m Tim, tragically took his own life at the age of 28 in April 2018
Although the family had ‘no doubt’ about stepping in to help Tim, Klas acknowledged that it had not been an easy decision.
The father recalled how the intervention lasted hours – and at the end of it, Tim made a heartbreaking confession.
He told his father: ‘I had decided hours ago but just wanted to test you.’
Tim retired from touring in 2016 and had battled acute pancreatitis, having had his gallbladder and appendix removed in 2014.
Elsewhere in the interview, Klas admitted that he still struggles with ‘survivor’s guilt’ and has agonised over what he did ‘wrong’.
However, the grieving father said multiple therapists have reassured him ‘many times, you cannot do anything’.
Before his death, Klas, his wife Anki and their three other children had been confident that Tim’s mental state was ‘improving’, which only made the sudden loss all the more devastating.
One year after the DJ’s death, Avicii’s family set up the Tim Bergling Foundation – with Klas acting as Director – to help other young people struggling with their mental health.

Pictured: Avicii with his parents Klas and Anki and his older brother Anton Korberg, whom Anki wlelcomed with a previous partner

Avicii grew up in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, and was so sheltered that he spent most of his first 19 years in a five block radius
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After his death, his family said in an emotional statement: ‘Our beloved Tim was a seeker, a fragile artistic soul searching for answers to existential questions.’
‘He wanted to find a balance in life to be happy and be able to do what he loved most — music.
‘Tim was not made for the business machine he found himself in; he was a sensitive guy who loved his fans but shunned the spotlight.
‘Tim, you will forever be loved and sadly missed. The person you were and your music will keep your memory alive.’
Speaking to the Sunday Times in 2021, Klas Bergling said his son was a ‘shy’ and ‘introverted’ man who struggled his rapid ascent into the spotlight.
He added he had been ‘naïve’ to think going to rehab would solve all of his son’s problems.
‘I’ve heard a thousand times that the fight starts when you’re sober. But I was so happy, and you have to remember the happy moments also,’ he said.
The DJ, who was his parents’ only child together but had step-siblings, was a quiet teen who was happiest making music by himself in his room.
After teaching himself how to play with guitar, Tim would often skip school in order to work on his music, making songs with a software he pirated.

I’m Tim features Avicii himself giving a haunting narration from an interview given late in his career
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When he shot to fame aged just 21 with Levels in 2011, Tim had to adapt to the DJ lifestyle spent decking in clubs, arenas and festivals, which did not suit his reserved manner, his father said.
Streaming giant Netflix have since released two stand-alone films that reflect Avicii’s personal struggles as well as his versatile talent as a producer, songwriter and a DJ.
Launched simultaneously on Tuesday, behind-the scenes documentary I’m Tim and My Last Show – a recording of Avicii’s last ever gig at Ushuaïa Beach Hotel in Ibiza – left fans of the tragic DJ in floods of tears.
While My Last Show centres on the DJ’s electrifying final performance, I’m Tim features Avicii himself giving a haunting narration from an interview given late in his career.
He says that he suffered from crippling anxiety and admits he was ‘killing’ himself with his relentless touring.
Avicii’s dream was not having to be ‘grinding constantly’ and pushing himself to work ever harder but he couldn’t stop.
In a bone chilling moment one of Avicii’s most famous collaborators says that SOS, the first single from his posthumous album Tim, was a secret cry for help.
Aloe Blacc, who sang on Avicii’s mega hit Wake Me Up, said that it was a warning they heard ‘way too late.’
The documentary, which got rapturous applause at Tribeca from a theater full of Avicii fans, features appearances by some of Avicii’s most famous collaborators including disco legend Nile Rogers and Chris Martin of Coldplay.
They reflect on the toll that touring took on Avicii, who became famous before he was 20 and performed more than 800 shows in six years, sometimes playing in two cities in one night.