In 2010, Cesar Millan went through several life changes that broke his heart. In the preceding years, he had become the world’s most famous dog trainer and the CEO of CMI, which was estimated to become a $100 million business.
It all came crashing down in the beginning of 2010, starting in February. Daddy, his pit bull and companion, who Millan called his “mentor,” died of cancer.
Shortly afterward, his wife, Ilusion, filed for divorce. They had been married for 16 years.
The beautiful thing about dogs is that when you show them honor and respect, they return the same to you a thousand fold.
Posted by Cesar Millan on Tuesday, July 14, 2015
Around the same time, Millan discovered that some bad business deals left him with almost nothing, despite his TV successes. To make things even worse, he felt his sons blamed him for the divorce and thought their lives were better without him.
To cope with it all, he stayed with his brother, attended church, and visited family more. Nothing seemed to make things better for him.
Even his dogs were becoming distant from him, Millan said, because he was unstable and they trusted him less. In May of that year, he had reached his lowest point.
While he was at his wife’s house, he took a combination of pills including Xanax in the hopes of ending his own life. The next thing he knew, he was awake in a hospital psychiatric ward.
His response was incredible. He knew that since his attempt failed, he must still have a purpose.
Enjoying the day outside with my pack. Reflecting on the past year, and what lies ahead on the horizon.
Posted by Cesar Millan on Saturday, December 31, 2016
“I better get back to work!” Millan said to himself. He went right back to training dogs, including his new sidekick, Junior, a 3-month-old pit bull.
“I couldn’t have done what I do without Daddy,” he said, “and now I can’t do it without Junior. There’s always a pit bull there supporting me.”
Millan continued clearing brush, digging roads, and planting trees on his newly purchased 43-acre land that he would use for training dogs. He also cut ties from his company because he believed they were driven purely by money, and he was driven just to help people and their dogs.
“Some people turn to cigarettes and alcohol when they have problems,” he said. “I use hard work.”
His suicide attempt was his lowest point, but he was thankful he was able to learn so much about depression and suicide. He also learned how to look for the signs and his own way to cope with depression: hard work.
“You hear this sentence, ‘What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,’” Millan said. “That became real for me. It made me closer to people.”
Cesar Millan was blessed to receive a second chance at life, and he did not take that for granted. Now he is using his life to continue helping people and their dogs, and he hopes to help others out of their depression.
Richard Vilar Beltrame
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Gleise Trida Beltrame
Kim Denman
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Stop posting old old news!
Kathy Sanders
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This can’t be true
Johanne Deschamps
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It s not true!!!
Susan Haley
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This was 2010…lol
Laura Surita
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He’s such a good person, glad he’s still here, he’s sooo
Laura Surita
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Very smart, I have learnt a lot watching him, bless you…….
Wendy Campbell
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Hope this is the old story from years ago.
Gail Zacchi Fischer
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This was 7 years ago
Kayleigh Anne
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This is true, he did try to commit suicide. A few years back. Now he’s a huge suicide prevention advocate.
Johanne Deschamps
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I ‘m sorry!
Darrell Terry
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If he actually swallowed a full script he is not only very lucky he has the tolerance level of a elephant.just saying.
Qwala Berr
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This was at least 2 years ago
Roxanne Gardipe
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This happened years ago. Why repost it now?
Joan Dow
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We all have personal demons we deal with every day. It doesn’t matter the status in the world. Behind a smile is heartache.
Trish Kuzujanakis
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I hope things work out for him… He is needed…
Phillip Kyle Hamilton
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Old news, like 5 years ago…
Suzanne Reimer-Duquette
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Stop posting this is very old news
Jody Millward
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This is pretty old news.
Kellie Rudisel
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A sad story but why glorify this?
Rob Clay
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heart breaking
Encarnacion Borras
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I love Cesar. Disciplining dogs is NOT hurting them
Ashley Noffsinger
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Yes he tried to kill himself and he ended up in the hospital but he is fine now all the depression is gone. Other wise you can take this news story into consideration. 🙂
Ashley Noffsinger
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It’s old news
Steven Scott
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Should added some rum to those pills. That would have gotten the job done I bet.
Jody Lee
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Lee Wilson
Rosie Coleman
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Poor man, so sorry for him
Eddie Saw
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Lousy translation, can not distinguish between HE or SHE
Annis Pepion Scott
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Love you, Cesar and wish you and Junior well
Anna Giurgola
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Pasquale Giurgola
Clara Koch
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He s great
John P Riley
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Depression is real, thank God for dogs. Gods gift to humans.
Diane Michaels
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I love him — same techniques I have used,and I have learned new ones from him as well! glad he turned things around — I think it says 2010 — funny, not so funny – 2 legged creatures will turn on you on a dime — but 4 legged creatures are there for eternity
Ginny Gonzalez
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Glad that he took some down time to get himself back together after all those back-to-back curveballs. I wish him well.
Arnold Edwards
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Wendy yes….
He has a new project helping dogs on a cable network
Nichole Harris
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Jason Thomas now I see who you were talking about
David De Leon
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Sorry to hear… but you saw the morning and another morning after that… just keep waking up and things will be fine. You need someone who love’s you and wants to help, you need someone who cares about you… you need God, more specifically you need Jesus Christ (His Son) in your life.
Leth Camitoc
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Why?
Jesus Sierra
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That guy is a prick
Marlene Paine
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The dogs need you Cesar glad your on the mend .Love watching you and the dogs on TV keep up the good work
Terri Gallichio
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You are special. And Worth living. Life is short enough as it is. Just take one day at a time. Keep the faith. Stay positive. Take Care.
Christina PS
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but that was a long time ago
Danny Westerink
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A 7 year old story.. Shame on you GSL
Lupe Hernandez
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I didn’t like the way he would kick the dog, too arrogant for me.
NJ Williams
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Where he belongs atter all the torture he’s bestowed on many many dogs. Making people believe he actually know what he’s on about. Use fear tactics to teach “learned helplessness” into dogs. NO positive training.
I hope he rots in there…karma comes round eventually.
Sue Smith
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Years ago why bring it up again?
Vivi-Ann Pedersen
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Love Cesar
Millie Mok
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Why dig out the past? Let him move on.
Cathy Anderson- Stowitts
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True or fake news?
Kimberly Sue
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Nick St Pierre