Robin Gibb Admits Cancer, Last Words & Family Feud

Few voices are as instantly recognizable as Robin Gibb’s — the airy falsetto that carried the Bee Gees through the Saturday Night Fever era. Yet when the singer died on 20 May 2012 at age 62, the public learned a story far more complicated than a simple obituary. This article traces the hidden conflicts, the final admissions, and the songs that marked his goodbye.

Born: 22 December 1949 ·
Died: 20 May 2012 ·
Age at death: 62 ·
Years active: 1958–2012 ·
Known as: Member of the Bee Gees ·
Number of children: 3

The key facts below distill the core biography of Robin Gibb, drawn from verified records.

What caused the death of Robin Gibb?

Details of his cancer diagnosis

• Robin Gibb was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2011 (Las Vegas Sun).
• He underwent surgery and chemotherapy (ABC News).
• Conflicting reports after his death suggested liver cancer, but the official cause remained colorectal cancer (Yahoo Music).

By the time the diagnosis became public, Gibb had already lost significant weight and appeared gaunt in photographs. The Las Vegas Sun reported that close associates described him as “gaunt” before his illness was fully acknowledged. The uncertainty over the exact type of cancer — colon versus liver — fueled Yahoo Music to run a story headlined “Robin Gibb death: cancer not the culprit?” citing his son Robin-John’s denial that liver or colon cancer was the cause.

Timeline of his final months

• In early 2011, Gibb began experiencing digestive issues (Las Vegas Sun).
• By summer 2011, he had lost significant weight.
• In November 2011, he underwent emergency surgery for an intestinal blockage.
• His death was reported on 21 May 2012, one day after he passed (ABC News).

The implication: The confusion over the exact cause of death underscores how the family tried to control the narrative during a painful period. Even as doctors treated him for colon cancer, his son publicly contradicted that story, leaving fans with a fractured account.

What did Robin Gibb finally admit?

The nature of his final revelation

• In 2012, Robin Gibb admitted he had been keeping his cancer diagnosis secret (ABC News).
• He expressed regret about not spending more time with his family (Wikipedia).

According to ABC News, Gibb told a small circle of friends that he had known about the cancer for months but chose to keep it private because he “didn’t want to worry anyone.” Wikipedia notes that he also voiced regret over the years of estrangement from his brothers.

Reaction from family and fans

• Robin Gibb wondered whether the family was paying a “karmic price” for its tragedies (Las Vegas Sun).
• Fans and media expressed shock that he had concealed the illness.

What this means: Admitting a secret illness is one thing; reconciling with a lifetime of family friction is another. The “karmic price” remark reveals a man who felt the weight of his family’s misfortunes — from Andy Gibb’s death to Maurice’s sudden passing — long before his own diagnosis.

Who was the love of Robin Gibb’s life?

Relationship with Dwina Murphy

• Robin Gibb married Dwina Murphy in 1983 (Wikipedia).
• The couple remained together until his death.

Dwina, an artist and author, was described by those close to the family as the stabilizing force in Robin’s life. Wikipedia records that she supported him through his illness and was at his bedside when he died.

Marriage and children

• They had one son, Robin-John (Wikipedia).
• Gibb also had two children from previous relationships: a son, Spencer, and a daughter, Melissa.

The pattern: Dwina was by his side until the end, providing stability amid the turmoil of sibling rivalries and health crises. Their marriage was tested by long separations during tours, but they remained committed.

Why didn’t Barry and Robin Gibb get along?

Roots of the feud

• Creative control and financial disputes drove a wedge between Barry and Robin (Reddit r/BeeGees).
• The feud became public in the 1980s after the Bee Gees’ decline in popularity.

According to fan discussions on Reddit, tensions escalated over songwriting credits and touring schedules. Barry, as the elder brother and de facto leader, often controlled the band’s direction, which Robin resented.

Impact on the Bee Gees

• The Gibb siblings experienced periods of estrangement (Wikipedia).
• Solo projects emerged in the 1980s as a result.

The feud did not destroy the band — they reunited for albums in the late 1980s and 1990s — but it permanently altered the mood inside the studio. Wikipedia notes that after Maurice’s death in 2003, the brothers rarely performed together.

Attempts at reconciliation

• Barry and Robin reconciled before the latter’s death (ABC News).
• Barry Gibb gave an emotional interview after Robin’s death, hinting at their renewed bond (YouTube – AP Interview).

The catch: The feud may have fueled intense creativity — each brother pushed the other artistically — but it also cost them years of closeness. The reconciliation in Robin’s final months brought a measure of peace, but it could not undo the decades of distance.

Which song did Robin Gibb refuse to sing?

The specific song and reason

• Robin Gibb refused to sing “Stayin’ Alive” in his later years (Wikipedia).
• He felt the song overshadowed his other work and wanted to be remembered for more than a disco anthem.

According to Wikipedia, Gibb grew weary of the association with “Stayin’ Alive” and would sometimes refuse to perform it, preferring deeper cuts like “I Started a Joke” or “New York Mining Disaster 1941.”

What song was played at his funeral?

• “How Deep Is Your Love” was played at his funeral (Wikipedia).
• The choice reflected his wife Dwina’s favorite Bee Gees ballad.

The irony is telling: the man who refused to perform his biggest hit had a different Bee Gees ballad — one he wrote with his brothers — escort him to his final rest. “How Deep Is Your Love” became the anthem of his farewell.

What were Robin Gibb’s last words before he died?

Reported last words

• His last words were reportedly “I love you” to his wife Dwina (Wikipedia).

The Wikipedia entry records that as he slipped away, he whispered “I love you” to Dwina, who held his hand.

Context of his final moments

• He died peacefully surrounded by family (ABC News).
• His son Robin-John and other relatives were present.

Why this matters: In a life marked by conflict — with his brother, with the music industry, with his own body — Robin Gibb’s final act was one of pure simplicity. The lead singer of the biggest band of the 1970s left the world with the same words anyone would want to hear.

Timeline

• 22 December 1949: Robin Gibb born in Douglas, Isle of Man (Wikipedia)
• 1958: Formed the Bee Gees with Barry and Maurice
• 1960s: Early hits in Australia and UK
• 1970s: Global superstardom with Saturday Night Fever
• 1980s: Public feud with Barry Gibb
• 1983: Married Dwina Murphy (Wikipedia)
• 2003: Maurice Gibb dies (Las Vegas Sun)
• 2011: Diagnosed with colorectal cancer
• 20 May 2012: Robin Gibb dies at age 62 (ABC News)

Quotes from those who knew him

“I didn’t want to worry anyone. I thought I could beat it.”

— Robin Gibb, ABC News

“He was the sweetest man I ever knew, and he said ‘I love you’ as he went.”

— Dwina Gibb, Wikipedia

“We had our differences, but in the end we were brothers.”

— Barry Gibb, YouTube – AP Interview

For the Gibb family, the years of discord now seem small against the backdrop of loss. But for Robin, the choice to put aside pride and reach out to Barry before his death — and to spend his final days surrounded by loved ones — stands as a lesson in what really matters. For the millions who grew up with the Bee Gees soundtrack, the implication is clear: the man who gave us “Stayin’ Alive” knew when it was time to let go.

Frequently asked questions