A former girlfriend of Avicii, who died aged just 28 in Oman on Friday, has spoken about how she tried to help the Swedish DJ and producer through his health struggles.
Racquel Bettencourt, who dated Avicii in 2013, posted an emotional tribute on Instagram, describing how "it felt like just yesterday that we were inseparable".
Avicii, whose real name was Tim Bergling, was found dead in a hotel in Muscat at the weekend, with officials saying there was no sign of suspicious circumstances.
He had suffered with a series of health problems, including acute pancreatitis, which caused him to have his gallbladder and appendix removed four years ago. In early 2016, he announced his retirement from touring due to ill health.
Bettencourt, a Canadian model who has 174,000 Instagram followers, said she wanted "nothing more than to make sure you were healthy and happy and be there for you every step of the way".
She added: "I know how hard you struggled and tried. I tried everything I could."
The Bergling family released a statement yesterday, thanking people around the world for their kind words. It read: "Thank you for all the initiatives taken to honour Tim, with public gatherings, church bells ringing out his music, tributes at Coachella and moments of silence around the world."
It is not known why he was in Oman at the time of his death, or if any funeral arrangements have been made. His brother, David, has travelled to Muscat to seek answers and police said Avicii's body will be flown home to Sweden this week.
He was well known for hits such as Wake Me Up and Hey Brother. He won a number of American Music Awards, Billboard music awards and MTV Europe Music awards for his work. He also earned two Grammy nominations.
His died just days after being nominated for a Billboard Music Award for top dance/electronic album for his EP Avicii (01).
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Read more:
Avicii’s final hours: Fans recount meeting ‘full of life’ DJ in Oman hotel night before death
Avicii dies in Oman at 28: Dance pioneer rejigged life after touring took its toll on his health
Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
The bio
Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite travel destination: Maldives and south of France
Favourite pastime: Family and friends, meditation, discovering new cuisines
Favourite Movie: Joker (2019). I didn’t like it while I was watching it but then afterwards I loved it. I loved the psychology behind it.
Favourite Author: My father for sure
Favourite Artist: Damien Hurst
