This past week, Kate Spade was found dead by house keepers. The cause a death? Suicide by hanging. While America, and the rest of the world, is shook by this news, this isn't the first time a high profile figure has been a victim to suicide, addiction, and over doses.
While these things affect hundreds of thousands of people every year, it always comes as a shock when celebrities, fashion designers, and other public figures become a victim because of the persona they put out into the world.
Kurt Cobain, Micheal Jackson, Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, Robin Williams, Mark Salling, Prince, and now Kate Spade are all among the many famous people who seemed happy and successful to the world but lost a silent a battle behind the scenes to either suicide or over dose.
With so many famous people dying from suicide and overdoses, and many more suffering from one or more types of addictions, it beckons the question: Does money really buy happiness?
I believe the answer is no. With money come fame. And with fame comes pressure. Pressure to be perfect, pressure to fit in, pressure to blend in, pressure to not look weak because vulnerable. They become accoustomed to making everyone else happy before they even think about their own happiness and well being.
With all this pressure, it is easy to succumb to depression. Drug use and alcoholism is not uncommon among famous people trying to find an out. Some become exposed to drugs, and addicted, at as young as 12, 13, or 14 years old. Drug use can often lead to accidental or intentional over doses. And alcohol is a known depressant. Famous people are falling victim to short term solutions to long term problems because they are too afraid to ask for help because of the backlash that will come from fans and media.
So no, money doesn't buy happiness. Money buys drugs. Money buys alcohol. Money buys fame. Money buys depression. And when all the money a gone, the only thing that will stay is the depression.