Millionaire philanthropist and film financier Steve Bing sought help for addiction and depression multiple times before he killed himself earlier this year, his last girlfriend has said.
Mary Bozkurt, who dated Bing during 2019, has made a series of revelations about the late producer’s state of mind in the months before he jumped from the 27th floor of his Los Angeles apartment building.
Bozkurt told Page Six that Bing loved his son Damian, 18, who he initially denied paternity of, and that he ‘hated’ his drug use.
‘Steve was mad at God for so much tragedy that goes on. His death was not about partying or the ugly side of a Hollywood lifestyle as many articles suggested,’ she told Page Six.
‘Steve was in a lot of pain and the drugs were a destructive means of escape for him.’
‘He hated everything about drug use, and he made several efforts to recover. Steve was trying to get help,’ she added.
Steve Bing, 55, jumped from the 27th floor of Los Angeles apartment building on 22 June. Police have ruled his death was a suicide
Bing’s last girlfriend Mary Bozkurt said the late producer loved his son Damian, 18, who he had initially denied paternity of
Bozkurt said she personally accompanied Bing to numerous medical appointments, but that none of the treatments worked for him.
‘He went to psychologists, doctors, addiction experts. He was honest about his habits, about not wanting to live, and the professional help he sought let him down multiple times,’ she said.
She said that by December, around six months before he killed himself, Bing had spiraled out of control. His addiction was ‘overwhelming’, she said, as were his suicidal thoughts.
Despite gaining a substantial inheritance at 18 years old, Bing’s childhood was not a happy one, Page Six reported, adding that he lacked ‘nurturing’.
He also regretted the broken relationships with his two children Damian, 18, from ex Liz Hurley, who he initially denied paternity of, and Kira, 21, his daughter from tennis player Lisa Bonder.
‘He loved Damian and his daughter, Kira,’ she said.
Bing left notes for his two children before taking his life, it has been claimed.
Television host Billy Bush said that Bing, 55, left ‘one note for each kid’, the Mirror reported.
The manager of the building from which he fell from the 27th floor and the Los Angeles police are understood to have passed the letters on.
Steve Bing, pictured with Kira Kerkorian – his daughter with tennis player Lisa Bonder
Damian Hurley, 18, pictured with his mother, is said to have received a letter from his father
Damian Hurley is understood to have never met his father, who initially denied paternity.
Following his father’s death, he wrote on Instagram a message to his friends and supporters, thanking them for being there for him.
‘I’d like to thank you all again for your overwhelming kindness over the past few days,’ he wrote.
‘Your love and support has helped me greatly during this challenging time.’
Bush said that Bing had been battling depression for a while, and that the isolation due to coronavirus was ‘definitely a factor’.
Bing threw himself from his Sunset Boulevard apartment in Los Angeles, and was declared dead at the scene around 1pm on 22 June by LAPD.
His death has been ruled suicide.
Elizabeth Hurley paid tribute to her ex on Instagram following his untimely death
Steve Bing and Liz Hurley were together for around a year in 2000, in an on-off relationship
Bing’s father, Dr Peter Bing, last year tried to cut Damian and Kira out of a trust he had set up for his heirs – arguing in an affidavit revealed by DailyMail.com that ‘I do not consider them my grandchildren’.
However, Steve Bing and Liz Hurley joined forces to oppose Dr Bing’s gambit, which was dismissed by a US judge – leaving Damian and Kira in line for a share of the reported $480million fund.
Hurley had rejected Bing’s money in 2002 but said that they had ‘become close again’ recently and spoken on Damian’s 18th birthday.
It is not yet clear who will inherit Steve Bing’s own fortune, or whether he made a will. California law says that the surviving children – in this case Damian and Kira – will normally inherit an estate if there is no will.
Bing inherited a $600million fortune from his grandfather in 1983 but friends say he had whittled it away with poor investments, leaving it unclear how much is left.
Hurley wrote on Instagram: ‘I am saddened beyond belief that my ex Steve is no longer with us.
‘It is a terrible end. Our time together was very happy and I’m posting these pictures because although we went through some tough times, it’s the good, wonderful memories of a sweet, kind man that matter.
‘In the past year we had become close again. We last spoke on our son’s 18th birthday. This is devastating news and I thank everyone for their lovely messages.’
Bing’s friends also paid tribute to him.
Mick Jagger tweeted: ‘It’s so sad to hear of Steve Bing’s passing. He was such a kind and generous friend and supported so many good and just causes. I will miss him very much.’
Bill Clinton also remembered Bing, who paid for the flight he used to bring back two U.S. journalists from North Korea who had been locked up and charged with spying.
He tweeted, ‘I loved Steve Bing very much. He had a big heart, and he was willing to do anything he could for the people and causes he believed in.
‘I will miss him and his enthusiasm more than I can say, and I hope he’s finally found peace.’
Actress Rosanna Arquette tweeted: ‘This is very sad and disturbing news… Rest In Peace Steve.’
For confidential support call National Suicide Prevention Line, 1-800-273-8255