George Michael Battled Secret Heroin Addiction and Was Rushed to Emergency Room Multiple Times: Report

Char Adams
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George Michael was battling with heroin addiction and had been rushed to the emergency room multiple times before his sudden death on Christmas Day, London’s Daily Telegraph reports.

The newspaper, citing an unnamed source, reports that his struggle with addiction had been “spiraling.”

Michael died of heart failure and was found in his home on Christmas Day, his rep told PEOPLE and Entertainment Weekly. He was 53. Michael’s publicist confirmed that the iconic singer passed away “peacefully.”

Michael’s history with alcohol and drugs – including marijuana – is well-documented, but his sudden death has brought to light reports that he battled addiction to more dangerous substances.

“He’s been rushed to A&E on several occasions,” a source told The Daily Telegraph. “He used heroin. I think it’s amazing he’s lasted as long as he has.”

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The Telegraph also published the first interview with Michael’s boyfriend Fadi Fawaz, who revealed the singer died alone.

“Everything had been very complicated recently, but George was looking forward to Christmas, and so was I,” he told the newspaper. “Now everything is ruined.”

Michael sold about 100 million albums during his nearly four decades in the spotlight. But along with success came difficult times for the star.

In 2006, Michael was arrested on suspicion of possessing drugs after he was found slumped over the wheel of his car. And in 2010, the star was charged with driving while unfit through drink or drugs after crashing his car into a storefront.

Michael later said that the four-month jail stint as a result of the crash led him to address his drug problems.

“I realized it had to be something to do with me. It shook me out of my denial,” he said in an interview at the time. “After that crash happened, I started drug counseling and was two weeks in detox, none of which I made public. It feels so completely behind me now. It really does.”