Spencer Matthews, known for his ‘bad boy’ persona on Made in Chelsea, opened up about the anger he felt over his brother Michael’s death on Mount Everest, which led to his struggles with alcohol at a young age. In an emotional interview on the Mail’s podcast, Matthews revealed that he harbored feelings of anger towards those he believed were responsible for his brother’s death. Despite seeking therapy for his alcoholism in 2018, he found it uncomfortable to discuss his childhood trauma and blamed his alcohol abuse on his own decisions rather than external circumstances.
Matthews, who was a part of Made in Chelsea for ten seasons before seeking help for his alcoholism, shared that he turned to excessive drinking as a way to cope with his emotions following his brother’s tragic passing. His older brother Michael had been the youngest Briton to conquer Mount Everest in 1999 but tragically fell to his death while descending the mountain alone during a blizzard. Despite his father’s attempts to pursue legal action against the Everest guides for negligence, the case was rejected in 2006.
The Made in Chelsea star, who is married to Irish influencer Vogue Williams, reflected on the impact of his brother’s death on his life and how it influenced his behavior in his youth. Despite being uncomfortable with the idea of blaming external circumstances for his alcohol abuse, Matthews acknowledged that his trauma as a child played a significant role in his struggles with addiction. He emphasized that his decisions to abuse alcohol were conscious choices and not a result of factors beyond his control.
As a father of three, Matthews has since become teetotal and has sought help to address his alcoholism and the trauma he experienced as a child. Last year, he appeared in a documentary titled Finding Michael, which explored his brother’s untimely death on Mount Everest and the impact it had on his family. Through candid discussions on the podcast, Matthews shared his journey towards recovery and how he has come to terms with his past, acknowledging the pain and anger he felt towards those he held responsible for his brother’s death.
The Mail’s Everything I Know About Me podcast offers listeners a glimpse into the lives of public figures like Spencer Matthews, allowing them to share their personal stories, struggles, and triumphs in their own words. Through his honesty and vulnerability, Matthews has shed light on the complexities of grief, trauma, and addiction, highlighting the importance of seeking help and confronting one’s past. His story serves as a reminder that healing is possible, even in the face of profound loss and emotional turmoil.
