Hollywood star Keanu Reeves is idolized by millions of fans globally. His calm demeanor and humility make him relatable to fans. But he also spent many years suffering from depression. Here are the reasons why and how he's doing now.
Even though many people believe that the best parts of one's life begin at the age of 40, the same cannot be said for Hollywood star Keanu Reeves.
When Keanu Reeves turned 40, he sunk into a deep depression. He began wondering how many years were left before his death. Keanu began ruminating about his mortality for long periods on end. It was also around that time when he suffered great tragedies.
Jada Pinkett Smith, Keanu Reeves, Hugo Weaving, and Monica Bellucci arrive at the premiere of "The Matrix Reloaded" at the Village Theater on May 7, 2003 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
KEANU'S BLISSFUL LIFE ABRUPTLY CHANGES
In 1998, Keanu's career was doing very well. One of his most successful films, "The Matrix," had just been released, and his relationship with actress Jennifer Syme was going swimmingly.
Their love grew even more significant when Jennifer fell pregnant with their daughter, Ava. Doctors discovered that Jeniffer's pregnancy couldn't continue six months into Jennifer's pregnancy as Ava died in Jeniffer's womb.
Actor Keanu Reeves arrives at "The Matrix Reloaded" premiere at the Village Theater on May 7, 2003 in Los Angeles, California| Source: Getty Images
Jennifer was partially ejected from the car and died instantly. She was only 28 years old.
The loss devastated both Keanu and Jennifer. Jennifer had to deliver Ava on Christmas eve, and Jennifer soon suffered post-natal depression after the stillbirth.
The devastating loss severed Keanu and Jennifer's relationship, and they broke up several weeks after Ava was stillborn. The couple remained good friends after the end of their relationship.
Keanu Reeves and sisters Kim Reeves and Karina Reeves | Source: Getty Images
Just over a year after they buried Ava, Jeniffer and Keanu enjoyed brunch together. But just one day later, Keanu received a devastating call.
Earlier that night, she attended a party at the home of the goth rockstar Marilyn Manson. As Jennifer was being driven home from the party by another guest, she drove her Jeep into a row of parked cars on Cahuenga Boulevard in LA.
Actor Keanu Reeves attends the 'Knock Knock' photocall during the 41st Deauville American Film Festival on September 5, 2015 in Deauville, France. | Source: Getty Images
Jennifer was partially ejected from the car and died instantly. She was only 28 years old. Within only two years, Keanu lost his daughter and her mother.
These tragic losses came shortly after Keanu spent a decade helping his sister, Kim, through leukemia.
Actor Keanu Reeves presents the movie "John Wick: Chapter 4" during Lionsgate exclusive presentation at Caesars Palace during CinemaCon 2022. | Source: Getty Images
KEANU BARELY COPES WITH JENNIFER AND AVA'S LOSS
Keanu found it almost unbearable to cope with Jennifer and Ava's loss. His grief was consuming. "Grief and loss don't ever go away," Keanu said.
These tragic losses came shortly after Keanu spent a decade helping his sister, Kim, through leukemia. "She was always there for me, you know. I will always be here for her," Keanu said.
He even donated 70% of his salary from "The Matrix" to fund cancer research. Kim went into remission and survived leukemia, and Keanu set up a foundation to help people suffering from cancer.
Kim Reeves, Keanu Reeves' sister, arrives at Fox Searchlight's premiere of the "Street Kings" on April 3, 2008 at the Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
Although he was barely seen getting cozy with women throughout his career, Keanu expressed a desire to have a family of his own one day:
“I want to get married. I want to have kids. That’s at the top of the mountain. I’ve got to climb the mountain first. I’ll do it. Just give me some time.”
Actor Keanu Reeves attends the premiere of the movie 'John Wick' at JW Marriott Hotel on January 8, 2015 in Seoul, South Korea. | Source: Getty Images
KEANU FINDS LOVE YEARS AFTER JENNIFER'S DEATH
Keanu and a visual artist, Alexandra Grant, were introduced to one another at a dinner party in 2009. They clicked and became fast friends.
They collaborated on two books, "Ode to Happiness" in 2011 and "Shadows" in 2016. Keanu and Alexandra even founded a publishing house together called "X Artists' Books."
In 2017, things between Keanu and Alexandra became romantic, and they began dating. But they kept their relationship very private. Only in 2019 Keanu and Alexandra made their red carpet debut at LACMA Art + Film Gala in Los Angeles.
Alexandra Grant and Keanu Reeves attend the 2019 LACMA 2019 Art + Film Gala Presented By Gucci on November 02, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Even after the debut, they still kept their relationship low-key, remaining coy about the possibility of marriage. Alexandra revealed that as soon as her relationship with Keanu went public, every person she knew called her to talk about the relationship.
After Keanu spent years in a deep depression, meeting Alexandra and experiencing her positive outlook changed his life.
Alexandra Grant and actor Keanu Reeves attend the 'X Artists' books launch at Palais De Tokyo on November 10, 2017 in Paris, France. | Source: Getty Images
One of Alexandra's close friends, Jennifer Tilly was one of the very few people who knew about Alexandra and Keanu's relationship before the rest of the world did. She recalled:
“I remember a couple of years ago, about a year and a half ago, [Grant] said, ‘Keanu Reeves is my boyfriend’ and I’m like, ‘Wait. What? What? What?’”
Alexandra remained coy about the future of her relationship. "Love at every level is deeply important to my identity. How's that for dodging the question? I do not believe that isolation is the way. There is a period of isolation that I do as a painter, but I deeply value the experience of being in relationships," she said.
Keanu Reeves and Alexandra Grant speak at the UNAIDS Gala during Art Basel 2016 at Design Miami/ Basel on June 13, 2016 in Basel, Switzerland. | Image: Getty Images
A source told "Life & Style," "She's one of the few people who's managed to get Keanu to open up about his emotions and past." After Keanu spent years in a deep depression, meeting Alexandra and experiencing her positive outlook changed his life. "Some say she's not only stolen his heart, but she's also saved him," the source added.
Keanu expressed a desire to spend the rest of his life with Alexandra and was extremely grateful for her presence in his life. As one of the nicest people in Hollywood, Keanu deserves the happiness of all people in the industry.
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