How Lulu, 76, hid her alcohol addiction to keep up appearances after revealing she was a ‘secret drinker’ and ‘battled shame in secret for years’

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Lulu shared her struggles with concealing her long-term alcohol addiction, confessing recently that she had been secretly drinking for years. She attributes her condition to a genetic predisposition.

The 76-year-old musician, currently recovering after attending rehab, confessed in an interview with The Times before the launch of her memoir titled “If Only You Knew.” She revealed that writing the book prompted her to seek therapy afterwards.

In her revealing interview, Lulu confessed that she had been secretly addicted to drinking. She felt an overwhelming desire to maintain the image of the flawless Lulu, the epitome of perfection, while simultaneously fearing the likeness to her father.

For quite some time, I decided to keep my struggle with alcohol addiction private. I wanted to find the right words to express and comprehend it before sharing my thoughts on the matter openly.

Previously, Lulu suggested that she deliberately chose to keep certain aspects of her personal life hidden from the limelight, maintaining an image of polish and perfection in public settings.

She shared that throughout her life, she prioritized her career above all else, a lesson instilled in her by her mother at a young age to keep personal matters private, which could explain why her struggle with addiction has stayed out of the public eye until recently.

Known for her secrecy, this celebrity mentioned that she considered her on-stage character as distinct from her true self when not performing. This implies that certain aspects of her private life remained off-limits to the public, as she intentionally kept them hidden.

2012 saw her express to the Daily Mail, “I’ve generally prioritized my career, a trait that has defined me for nearly 50 years. It’s hard to envision my life without it. I transformed into an entertainer, even when off-stage. The TV camera’s spotlight triggered my metamorphosis into the character known as Lulu.

It seems that Lulu has had a long-standing habit of concealing unattractive aspects of her life, a trait likely cultivated at a young age, as her mother, Betty McDonald, was the one who encouraged this behavior, according to what she shared earlier this year.

While conversing with the Sun in May, she mentioned: ‘My upbringing involved a mother who frequently reminded me, ‘Never air your personal matters publicly’. This essentially meant ‘Be discreet and don’t disclose things to others’. As a result, many things became private or kept within myself.’

In this book, you’ll find many aspects of my life I’ve kept silent about until now. It’s been an emotionally taxing experience. I’ve even sought therapeutic help. This past year has been quite a rollercoaster ride for me.

In her own words, Lulu shared that a friend inspired her to pen her autobiography due to her inclination towards secrecy. She recounted the friend saying, ‘Many believe they understand Lulu, yet few truly know you,’ which resonated deeply with her.

As a devotee recounting personal experiences, I share that the illustrious Eurovision artist, renowned for her powerful 1964 hit “Shout,” disclosed this week her struggles during numerous challenging periods, where she grappled with darkness and felt a deep sense of embarrassment. These experiences ultimately led her to seek solace in rehabilitation.

She continued to share that her struggle with alcohol worsened over time, and her son, Jordan Frieda (aged 48), moved out of the house.

She said: ‘For me, it had been controllable until I got into my sixties.

After reaching menopause and losing both of my parents, finding myself alone at home (the “empty nest”), I began to notice an increasing number of young musicians in the industry. This led me to increasingly depend on it, which only worsened the situation over time.

Over a prolonged period of time, I have struggled to find contentment in my feelings, experiencing deep dissatisfaction, and found it difficult to seek assistance.

Later, Lulu recounted some painful experiences from her childhood, including seeing distressing instances of domestic violence between her parents and an occasion when her father was taken away by the police.

‘It’s a family illness,’ she said. ‘The gene is there.’

As a lifestyle guide, I often find myself reflecting on my own past and the complexities of human relationships. In my case, I once held back from admitting that my parents weren’t ‘bad people,’ but rather individuals who were deeply ‘flawed’ or ‘damaged.’ However, I’ve carried an immense burden of ‘shame’ about their actions, a weight that has taken time to unpack and understand.

Lulu thinks her alcoholism represents the end result of a lifetime spent hiding emotions, given that she’s been the pillar of her family and felt compelled to maintain a polished professional persona.

The singer went on to say that she has now ‘never been happier in life’.

‘Drinking has a way of revealing our true selves, often showing the worst aspects. Despite moments of joy and laughter, those positive feelings don’t tend to stick around for long.’

In my expertise, consistently indulging in alcohol can lead me to feel melancholic. It might even cause me to get irritable. Through extensive research and personal experience, I’ve come to realize that this is often a sign of an illness, one that interferes profoundly with various aspects of life.

‘So I know it sounds perverse, but I’m glad I’m an alcoholic and that I’m in recovery.’

Currently, Lulu, who has been married twice – initially to Maurice Gibb from 1969 to 1973, and later to John Frieda from 1977 to 1991 – expressed that she is now living in a more ‘vibrant’ lifestyle. She currently resides in central London with her cockapoo.

She’s also determined to persist with her career ‘until [she] drops’.

All is revealed in Lulu’s memoir If Only You Knew, out September 25. 

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2025-09-06 12:34