The world-renowned Swedish DJ passed away in 2018, leaving behind a legacy and unanswered questions.
Warning: this article discusses sensitive topics, including suicide, which may be distressing for some readers.
As a new Netflix documentary about Avicii’s life premiered on December 31, it brought attention to the deeply moving and haunting final journal entry of the Swedish DJ before his untimely death.
In 2011, Avicii, born Tim Bergling, rose to global fame with hit songs like ‘Levels’ and albums like True. His music captivated millions, making him one of the most influential DJs of his time.
Seven years later, in 2018, Avicii tragically ended his life while vacationing in Oman, leaving fans and loved ones devastated.
The news of his death sent shockwaves worldwide. Fans had anticipated that the artist would continue to create groundbreaking music for years to come.
At the age of 28, Avicii was battling an addiction to painkillers alongside struggles with mental health, a fight that had intensified during his years in the spotlight.
Avicii had admitted he was happier before fame
Brian Killian/WireImage
At the peak of his fame, Avicii had an intense and grueling schedule, performing at an estimated 800 shows over a span of just six years.
Netflix’s new documentary, Avicii – I Am Tim, delves into his remarkable journey, offering insight into his life and rise to stardom, told in his own voice.
The streaming service describes the film as follows: “This is the unlikely story of Tim Bergling, a shy and insecure boy who, without realizing it, suddenly created one of the world’s most loved artists – Avicii.”
“Through unique home movies and a huge private archive, we get to follow Tim on a winding journey through life – from the very first breath at the maternity ward in Stockholm in 1989 to the tragic end in Oman in 2018.”
“This is a film where Tim himself is the narrator and he shares his inner self in a way we haven’t heard before. Through himself and everyone close to him – family, artist colleagues and best friends – we get to know Tim – the boy behind Avicii – for the first time.”
You can watch the trailer below.
Before his rise to international fame, Avicii once shared that he felt “a lot happier” before becoming a household name.
Recently, excerpts from personal journal entries written in the years leading up to his death have been rediscovered. These entries shed light on his struggles and thoughts during challenging times.
Avicii documented his journey while undergoing rehabilitation for drug and alcohol addiction. Some of these reflections were published in Måns Mosesson’s biography, Tim — The Official Biography of Avicii.
In one of these entries, he candidly wrote about the difficulties he faced in quitting alcohol, which he had come to rely on to manage his anxiety.
The DJ also reflected on his recovery from acute pancreatitis, a condition that had hospitalized him in both 2012 and 2013.
“I had a hard time accepting never drinking again though strongly suggested from all doctors to wait at least a year before even having a beer,” he reportedly wrote.
“Of course, I didn’t listen to the majority of the doctors, I listened to the couple who said it was OK if I was careful.”
Avicii’s music resonated with millions of music fans across the globe
Mike Pont/WireImage
“I was ignorant and naïve and touring the world, still on the never-ending tour — because once you’ve circled it, guess what? You start right back over again.”
“Those days in hospital were the most anxiety and stress-free days I can remember the past six years, those were my true vacations, as depressing as it might sound.”
Avicii also explored Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s meditation techniques, often practicing for hours at a time, far beyond the suggested 20 minutes.
This practice became both a source of solace and a sign of his deeper struggles.
In one entry, he described his experience: “It feels like I am in a new default mode of being which is very new and a little bit scary. It felt like the fears the last couple of days caused havoc in me, but I remember the tip to focus on my breathing.”
His final journal entry, however, carried a chilling message: “The shedding of the soul is the last attachment, before it restarts!”
The Netflix documentary, Avicii – I’m Tim, is now available for streaming, providing an intimate look at his life and legacy.