Robin Williams' Children: A Legacy of Laughter, Love, and Resilience

Robin Williams was an award-winning actor and comedian, but to his three children, he was simply Dad. The legendary performer, who died by suicide on Aug. 11, 2014, at age 63, left behind a legacy that extends far beyond the stage and screen—a legacy carried forward by his three children: sons Zachary "Zak" Williams and Cody Alan Williams, and daughter Zelda Williams.

Each of his children has found their own path in the years since his death, honoring their father's memory through mental health advocacy, filmmaking, and quiet family life. Together, they have ensured that Robin's spirit of kindness, humor, and compassion continues to touch lives.

Zak Williams: Turning Pain into Purpose

Zak, 43, is Robin's eldest child, born on April 11, 1983, to Robin and his first wife, Valerie Velardi. Growing up, Zak shared a close bond with his father, enjoying simple pleasures like walks in the garden and visits to a local Japanese toy shop.

"I loved playing with him in our garden or going on walks and popping into the local Japanese toy shop to watch him get so excited over different things," Zak told PEOPLE in 2020.

The years following his father's death were deeply challenging for Zak. He struggled with depression, anxiety, and alcohol dependency, feeling "traumatized" and "extremely isolated and broken." But through therapy and recovery groups, Zak found a path forward.

"Ultimately, I found that if I continued living that way, it wasn't a life that was worth living. Something had to give," he said.

Today, Zak is a mental health advocate and the founder of PYM (Prepare Your Mind), a company dedicated to promoting mental wellness. He also works with organizations like Glenn Close's Bring Change to Mind and the policy group Inseparable.

On World Mental Health Day in 2020, Zak married his wife Olivia, with whom he shares two children: son McLaurin "Mickey" Clement (whose first name was Robin's middle name) and daughter Zola June. Fatherhood, Zak says, "completely changes you."

"To be a present and engaged parent requires focus and commitment to time and an effort that ... it's a lot," he told PEOPLE. "But the rewards are unlike anything I've experienced before."

On the 10th anniversary of his father's death, Zak shared a photo of Robin from Mork & Mindy with a heartfelt caption: "Today, I'm reflecting on the immense love you shared with all of us, your family, your friends, and everyone you met. You continue to inspire me every single day to do whatever I can to help create a more connected and loving world for our family."

Zelda Williams: Carving Her Own Path in Hollywood

Zelda, 37, was born on July 31, 1989, the same year Robin married his second wife, Marsha Garces. The actress and filmmaker made her screen debut at age 5, appearing alongside her father in the 1994 TV film In Search of Dr. Seuss. She has since built a television career, with roles in The Legend of Korra, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Jane the Virgin, and made her directorial debut with the zombie rom-com Lisa Frankenstein.

Despite growing up in Hollywood, Zelda has always been clear-eyed about her path. "I didn't go into acting with any ideas of where I'd wind up," she told PEOPLE in 2017. "Maybe this is pessimistic, but I knew I was never going to be my father, so I went into it because I love it."

Zelda, who was 24 when her father died, has been open about the challenges of grief. She steps back from social media during poignant anniversaries, writing that "everyone who has dealt with loss knows the pain of certain anniversaries, moments full of memory that come round like clockwork and usurp all others, no matter how hard you may try to prepare for or avoid them."

In 2023, Zelda reflected on her family's traditions, noting that while Robin's busy schedule made holidays difficult, cooking together was a constant. "We would eat together every Tuesday, however many family members were in town," she said. "Being together was the important thing."

Cody Williams: A Private Life, A Public Tribute

Cody, 34, was born on Nov. 25, 1991, to Robin and Marsha Garces. The youngest of the three siblings has largely stayed out of the public eye, living a private life with his wife, Maria Flores. The couple married on July 21, 2019, which would have been Robin's 68th birthday, in a ceremony at Cody's childhood home.

The wedding was marked by touching tributes to lost loved ones, including a recorded performance of "Never Enough" and the lighting of a three-wick candle as an emblem of undying love for those they've lost. Zelda wrote at the time: "To @mariaaafloresssswilliams and Cody, you are a light in all of our lives. I'm so grateful to have paid witness to your love over the years."

Carrying Forward a Legacy of Love

Robin Williams often spoke of his pride in his children, though he was modest about his own parenting. "I'm so proud of them in different ways, but have they always been cherubs? No, but that's been part of the process," he said on the Today show in 2009. "And am I the 'world's greatest dad?' Not at all, I'm a work-in-progress, but I love them."

In the decade since his death, his children have become the stewards of his legacy. Zak has channeled his grief into advocacy, helping others navigate mental health challenges. Zelda has built a creative career on her own terms, carrying her father's love of storytelling. Cody has built a quiet family life, grounded in the values Robin instilled.

As Zak wrote on his father's birthday in 2025: "My father lived to make people feel seen. He permitted to feel deeply and to laugh through the pain. In his absence, that mission continues. So today, I hold close the idea that the best way to honor those we love is to live the values they stood for."