A healthy life, in principle, should serve to have better health. But Pete Doherty, the co-leader of The Libertines, doesn't think so. The artist has shared that his constant battle with type two diabetes and his cholesterol problems have left him feeling less healthy than in his days as a heroin user.
Now, at 44 years old, Doherty exhibits a notable physical change compared to his days as a musician. In a recent interview with The Guardian, he has expressed that he often feels unfit and has reflected on the paradox of his situation. "I stopped the main poisons and my health improved," he commented. "Then you discover that alcohol, cheese and sugar are as harmful as heroin," he lamented.
The relationship between Doherty and his bandmate, Carl Barat, has also been a support point in his life. Barat, reflecting on Doherty's survival in the same interview, is clear that it is not so easy for him to die: "Surprised that Peter is still alive? No, he's too smart to die. He never intended to die."
This revelation comes as the band prepare for the release of their fourth album, All Quiet on the Eastern Esplanade, due in March 2024, and a UK tour in October.
Doherty had already shared with the Evening Standard last October his diagnosis of diabetes and his problems with cholesterol, alluding to his difficulty giving up cheese, a staple in his diet. "I've seen a hepatologist who says I have to change my diet: too much cheese, too much milk," she revealed, highlighting the struggle between maintaining her health and enjoying her favorite foods.
The musician, whose struggle with drugs was widely covered by the media at the height of his career in the mid-2000s, has had a long battle with his personal well-being. The Libertines, who were forced to go on hiatus in 2004 due to these difficulties, reunited in 2015, releasing their third album. Doherty, for his part, has been sober since 2019, although his health problems remain a matter of concern.
