How Did Amy Winehouse Die? Cause, Bulimia & Inquest Facts

Amy Winehouse died from alcohol poisoning on 23 July 2011, with a blood alcohol level five times the UK driving limit. A second inquest in 2013 confirmed the cause as misadventure, while her brother later argued that bulimia, not drugs, made her body vulnerable to the lethal dose.

Key figures: Date of death: 23 July 2011  |  Age at death: 27  |  Official cause: Alcohol poisoning  |  Blood alcohol level: 0.416%  |  Location: Camden, London

What was the official cause of death of Amy Winehouse?

Second inquest confirms alcohol poisoning

The inquest held at St Pancras Coroner’s Court on 26 October 2011 returned an open verdict because of procedural gaps. After a family request, a second inquest concluded on 8 January 2013 that the cause was alcohol poisoning, recorded as misadventure. Coroner Shirley Radcliffe stated that the level of alcohol was sufficient to cause death.

Blood alcohol level details

Winehouse’s blood alcohol concentration was 416 mg per 100 ml – five times the UK driving limit of 80 mg per 100 ml. A pathologist confirmed that such a level can suppress the central nervous system and lead to respiratory arrest.

The implication: The legal record is clear – alcohol poisoning, not a drug overdose, was the immediate cause.

What illness did Amy Winehouse suffer from?

Bulimia nervosa diagnosis

Amy Winehouse was diagnosed with bulimia nervosa, an eating disorder marked by cycles of binge eating and purging. According to her family and medical records, she struggled with the condition for years. Bulimia contributed to physical decline, including dental erosion and strain on her heart and digestive system.

Amy Winehouse’s struggle with bulimia

In 2023, her brother Mitch Winehouse stated publicly that bulimia – not drugs – fatally weakened her body. He said she had been abstinent from alcohol for weeks before resuming drinking, and her organs, damaged by years of purging, could not handle the sudden heavy intake.

Did Amy Winehouse die from bulimia or drugs?

Brother’s 2023 statement

Mitch Winehouse’s statement reignited the debate. He told the media that bulimia “killed her”, arguing that her frequent purging had left her body malnourished and less able to metabolise alcohol. The official inquest, however, did not attribute death to bulimia or drugs directly.

Role of alcohol versus bulimia

The inquest heard that Winehouse had been prescribed Librium to manage alcohol withdrawal symptoms and had abstained for several weeks. But boredom, according to her GP, led her to restart drinking heavily in the days before her death. A specialist addiction doctor testified that she was not in withdrawal when she died – the lethal dose was consumed quickly.

The pattern: The official record and the family narrative converge on alcohol as the immediate agent, but diverge on how much her eating disorder amplified the risk.

What did Amy Winehouse say before she died?

Last conversation details

Winehouse spoke with her security guard a few hours before she was found dead. According to his testimony to the press, she said she was “scared of dying alone”. The comment, though unverified in official documents, has been widely reported.

Chilling last words

No verified transcript exists. Some sources claim she said “I don’t want to die” – but these are not part of the inquest record. The lack of concrete evidence means that her final words remain a matter of speculation.

Who inherited Amy Winehouse’s money?

Amy Winehouse’s will and estate

Winehouse’s will, made in 2006, left her estate – valued at around £4.3 million – to her parents, Mitch and Janis Winehouse.

Beneficiaries: family and charity

The Amy Winehouse Foundation was established after her death to support young people struggling with addiction and mental health issues. The foundation receives ongoing royalties from her music. Her ex‑husband, Blake Fielder‑Civil, received nothing from the will.

The catch: Blake’s regret, while genuine, does not change the legal distribution – the estate went entirely to her parents and their foundation.

What disability did Amy Winehouse have?

Bulimia nervosa as a recognized eating disorder

Bulimia nervosa is classified as a psychiatric disability under diagnostic manuals. Winehouse’s condition was public knowledge, with reports of self‑induced vomiting and laxative abuse dating back years before her death.

Substance use disorder co‑morbidity

She also met criteria for alcohol and drug dependence, which are recognised disorders. The combination of an eating disorder and substance use disorder created a dangerous feedback loop, amplifying health risks.

Did Blake Fielder‑Civil attend Amy Winehouse’s funeral?

Blake’s attendance

Blake Fielder‑Civil, her ex‑husband, attended the private funeral on 26 July 2011 at Edgwarebury Cemetery. He was accompanied by family.

Post‑funeral statements

In later interviews, Fielder‑Civil expressed guilt, stating that his own actions had contributed to her struggles. He claimed he should have died instead of her – a statement that drew mixed reactions from the public.

Timeline of Amy Winehouse’s final years

• 2006: Releases album Back to Black, achieves global fame. Britannica
• 2007–2010: Public struggles with bulimia, alcohol, and drug addiction; multiple rehab attempts. BBC News
• 23 July 2011: Found dead in Camden apartment. BBC News
• 26 July 2011: First inquest returns open verdict; second inquest ordered. BBC News
• 8 January 2013: Second inquest confirms death by alcohol poisoning. The Guardian
• 2023: Brother Mitch Winehouse states bulimia contributed to her death. Cosmopolitan UK

Internal and external resources

For further reading on related health topics, see End of Life Signs: Symptoms in Final Days and Hours and Heart Failure Symptoms, Causes, Stages & Treatment.

What’s confirmed and what remains unclear