Mark Fleischman wife, Mimi to be by his side till death

Former Studio 54 owner Mark Fleischman, 82, announced his plans to end his life by committing assisted suicide. Together for 27 years, Mimi will fly to Switzerland where the procedure has been legal since 1942.

For the past six years, Mark has been suffering from debilitating illnesses doctors have been unable to diagnose.

Well-known for his wild lifestyle as a former Studio 54 owner, Fleischman thinks this mysterious illness might be related to his former drug-taking habits.

Even though assisted suicide is a heartbreaking process, Mimi, his wife, will be by his side throughout the Switzerland trip till he ends his life on July 13.

Who is Mark Fleischman?

Best known for being a former owner of a legendary disco club, Studio 54, Mark Fleishman is a former nightlife mogul.

Born on February 1, 1940, on Long Island, he grew up watching the 1950s Harlem jazz scene.

Talking with the New York Post, Fleischman once said, ‘When you owned Studio 54, all of a sudden you became a semi-celebrity,’ and he continued, ‘At four in the morning, I would take a bunch of people in the limousine and we would go to Crisco Disco.’

Mark says ‘life is not worth living’

Mark’s lifestyle seemed to take a toll on his health. In 1986, he sold the club and proceeded to get sober by rehabilitating himself.

Announcing his plan to commit assisted suicide, Fleishmann said that this illness had taken away his freedom to perform daily tasks, his mobility, and his sense of balance. He’s confined to a wheelchair most of the time.

Doctors originally thought he had a form of Parkinson’s, but that was not the case. Losing hope he could ever recover from this illness, Mark began considering ending his life in 2020. His wife, Mimi found out about the Swiss non-profit organization Dignitas, which helps patients commit assisted suicide.

In a statement to the NY Post, Mark said, ‘I can’t walk, my speech is f-ked up and I can’t do anything myself. My wife helps me get into bed and I can’t dress or put on my shoes. I am taking a gentle way out. It is the easiest way out for me.’

> PERFECT MARRIAGE: Who is Andrew Santino's wife?

Who is Mark Fleischman wife, Mimi?

Mark’s wife, Mimi, will be by his side till death do them apart. Dignitas has scheduled a procedure for July 13, when Mark will take a fatal dose of barbiturates.

The couple met in New York City during the 1970s, but they took twenty more years to finally get married in 1994.

At that time, Mimi had two kids, Adam and Juliet from her previous relationship, while Mark had been divorced from Laurie Lister.

Mark held a lavish wedding ceremony and held a party at Tatou in LA. He often described his wife as his ‘dream girl.’

Mimi is in a difficult situation

Mimi, Mark’s wife described her husband’s daily situation:

‘It is worse than not being able to walk. Mark doesn’t have balance. He drops things and does not know where his body is in space.’

She tried talking him out of this decision initially, but Mark ‘gave her no choice.’ Even though ‘it’s going to be horrible, it is the end of a part of me as well. I have to honor what he wants,’ says Mimi.

Fleishman still has time to change his mind before the procedure, but his wife doesn’t believe that will happen.

Assisted Suicide is legal in Switzerland

Swiss law made assisted suicide legal in 1942 which states that assisted suicide procedures can be carried out only if the motives are not selfish.

Applicants go through an intensive screening that can take months. They do so just to ensure their motives and can understand what they’re doing.

Currently, Mark has a provisory green light from Dignitas.

If this article affects you directly or indirectly and would like to speak to someone, please call Samaritans on 116 123, or visit samaritans.org.