‘He had demons’: David Cassidy’s daughter Katie speaks out

Actress Katie Cassidy opened up about her estranged relationship with her late father, David Cassidy, saying he had his “demons” but they ultimately brought them closer together.

David Cassidy died in 2017 after a short battle with dementia, and despite having repaired his relationship with his daughter in his later years, deliberately left Katie out of his will. Now the 31-year-old has told Us Weekly that although she didn’t even meet her father until she was in the fourth grade at primary school, he became one of her closest confidants in his later years.

“The world doesn’t know that,” she told the magazine. “Not because I’m hiding it, it just hasn’t been discussed. My biological father and I had a really good relationship at one point. He was one of my close friends and gave me wonderful advice.”

While she called Cassidy a “wonderful person”, Katie said, “sadly, he had some demons”. She added: “There is a silver lining in all of that. You live and learn and it has brought my family closer together so I’m grateful for that.”

Read more: A look back at David Cassidy’s dazzling career on his 68th birthday

The late Partridge Family star passed away in November last year aged 67 after suffering organ failure in relation to his dementia. He had been in intensive care for liver and kidney failure.

Upon his death, it was reported that he deliberately left his daughter out of his will and left $150,000 in assets to his son, Beau Cassidy, instead.

“All references in this trust to my “child or children” are to Beau Devin Cassidy and such references shall not include Katherine Evelyn Cassidy no any descendent of Katherine Evelyn Cassidy,” the will read. “It is my specific intent not to provide any benefits hereunder to Katherine Evelyn Cassidy and/or any descendant of Katherine Evelyn Cassidy.”

David was never married to Katie’s mother, Sherry Williams, and the pair were estranged for many years.

Read more: Outrage as David Cassidy and Glen Campbell snubbed in Oscars tribute

Despite being cut out of his will, Katie posted a touching message on social media following her father’s death saying, “Words cant express the solace our family’s received from all the love & support during this trying time”, and revealed his tragic final words: “So much wasted time”.

https://twitter.com/MzKatieCassidy/status/934148630319128577

In 2017, Cassidy told People he hadn’t played a big role in Katie’s life and claimed they weren’t in contact.

“She has a completely different life,” he told the magazine. “I’m proud of her. She’s very talented. It’s hard for me to even accept how old she is now, like 30.”

Were you a fan of David Cassidy? Have you ever had difficulty dealing with a family will?