24 December 2013
Chiara de Blasio, the 19-year-old daughter of Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio, on Tuesday acknowledged a history of drug and alcohol problems, and said she had battled depression for most of her adolescence.
In a video released by her father’s campaign team, Ms. de Blasio said she had sought treatment for her troubles, which she said worsened when she left home for college in 2012.
“It made it easier, the more I drank and did drugs, to share some common ground with people,” Ms. de Blasio said, her voice accompanied by soft piano music. “It didn’t start out as like a huge thing for me, but then it became a really huge thing for me.”
For months during the campaign, Mr. de Blasio’s aides declined to comment on rumors that his daughter struggled with substance abuse and was receiving treatment, despite repeated inquiries from reporters.
Mr. de Blasio made Chiara and her charismatic brother, Dante, a centerpiece of his campaign for mayor — both were featured in campaign advertisements. Many credited the visibility of his children with helping him connect with voters and break out of a crowded field of candidates.
In an email to campaign supporters on Tuesday with the subject “Chiara’s story,” Mr. de Blasio and his wife, Chirlane McCray, offered praise for their daughter.
“As parents, our instinct has been to protect our daughter and privately help her through a deeply personal struggle,” they wrote. “We are so proud of Chiara and love her deeply.”
It was unclear on Tuesday what had prompted the de Blasios to make public Chiara’s struggle. Her message was framed as an effort to help those who might be struggling with similar issues during the holiday season.
In the video, Ms. de Blasio said she had sought group therapy at a treatment center in New York.
“Getting sober is always a positive thing,” she said.
