Robin Williams' 3 Children: Introducing Zak, Zelda, and Cody
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- UPDATED AUGUST 27, 2024
by Tasha Mayberry
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Robin Williams’ three children continuously find heartfelt ways to honor their late father’s legacy—whether by collaborating with mental health organizations or celebrating his birthday as a festive tribute. The esteemed actor first embraced fatherhood in 1983 when his first wife, Valerie Velardi, gave birth to their son, Zak. His family grew with the arrival of a daughter, Zelda, in 1989, and a son, Cody Alan, in 1991, with his second wife, Marsha Garces. Zak, Zelda, and Cody were the light of Robin’s life, as he expressed in a 2009 interview on the Today show, remarking he was “so proud of them in different ways.” He humorously added, “Have they always been cherubs? No, but that’s been part of the process.”
In 2006, Robin reflected, “If I had a choice to erase anything from my life, I would keep all the memories of my children… even those when they misbehaved because it is still extraordinary.” Robin tragically passed away by suicide on August 11, 2014, at the age of 63. Since his death, his children have dedicated themselves to preserving his memory. On what would have been Robin’s 72nd birthday in July 2023, Zak and Zelda shared heartfelt tributes on Instagram, with Zak posting, “Happy 72nd Dad! Was remembering how much I used to love that look you’d give.
Zachary “Zak” Williams, 41
Robin and Velardi’s marriage culminated with the birth of Zak on April 11, 1983, but ended in 1988. Zak fondly recalled childhood moments, saying, “I loved playing with him in our garden or going on walks and visiting the local Japanese toy shop to see him excited over different things.” In a 2020 interview with, Zak spoke about the profound impact of his father’s sudden death, which left him “traumatized” and “extremely isolated and broken.” This led to struggles with depression and anxiety, prompting Zak to seek solace in alcohol, which he later addressed through therapy and support groups. Zak has since launched PYM (Prepare Your Mind), a company advocating for mental health support. He believes, “I’m not broken. Despite experiencing traumatic events, I can recover and am on a path of healing to become the person I always wanted to be.
Zelda Williams, 35
Born on July 31, 1989, the year Robin married Garces, Zelda entered the acting world at age five, debuting alongside her father in 1994’s “In Search of Dr. Seuss.” She has since appeared in projects like “The Legend of Korra,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” and “Jane The Virgin.” Zelda is also venturing into directing with her upcoming film, “Lisa Frankenstein.” In a 2017 interview, Zelda expressed a grounded perspective on her career, stating, “I wasn’t looking to be the next big thing in TV and film. I knew I was never going to be my father, so I went into it because I love it.
Cody Alan Williams, 32
Cody, the youngest, was born on November 25, 1991. He leads a private life with his wife, Maria Flores, whom he married on July 21, 2019—coincidentally, what would have been Robin’s 68th birthday. Their wedding, held at Cody’s childhood home, included poignant tributes to their late family members. Guests participated in a touching ceremony with yellow roses and a three-wick candle lighting to symbolize enduring love. Zelda shared her admiration in a heartfelt, though now-deleted, Instagram post: “To @mariaaafloresssswilliams and Cody, you are a light in all of our lives. I’m so grateful to have witnessed your love over the years, to have seen you grow and care for each other in ways we should all be fortunate to experience.
