Lulu Reveals Life-Changing Freedom Post-Alcoholism

Singer Lulu, now 77, has spoken about the profound sense of freedom she has experienced since revealing her struggles with alcoholism. She candidly shared in an interview published on September 18, 2026, that while not proud of being an alcoholic, the shame she once felt has significantly lessened now that she has been vocal about it.

Lulu's journey to sobriety began with a stay at a treatment center in Arizona in 2013. She first disclosed her battle in her 2025 memoir, 'If Only You Knew.' The pressures of becoming famous at the young age of 15 and navigating the demands of showbiz contributed to her insecurities and reliance on alcohol.

She described living in fear of imperfection and noted that coming from a dysfunctional family environment kept her in a constant state of high alert. The path to confronting life's realities was painful, leading her to drink more. She revealed that she managed her illness privately for years, fearing damage to her 'squeaky clean' image.

Lulu found speaking openly about her sobriety journey to be liberating. She shared with the BBC in September 2025 that it's beneficial to discuss difficulties, acknowledging that many struggling with alcoholism do not reach recovery, and she feels fortunate for her own success.

She disclosed her struggle to her family at her 65th birthday party. Shortly after, she traveled to the U.S., completing a six-week rehabilitation program and attending daily Alcoholics Anonymous meetings for five years. She noted that her alcoholism had been controllable until her sixties, worsening during menopause amidst personal losses and observing the music industry's younger generation.

She expressed unhappiness with her state for many years but found herself unable to ask for help. Lulu shared that the gene for alcoholism exists within her family and that her illness became more pronounced after becoming menopausal, losing her parents, and experiencing an empty nest.