Bill Cosby's Wife Defends Him in a New Statement

Source: Getty / Jim Spellman

Bill Cosby's wife, Camille Cosby, released a statement on Monday breaking her silence about recent allegations that have been made against her husband. Back in October, comedian Hannibal Buress called Bill Cosby a rapist during his stand-up set, bringing up past accusations against him. Since then, several women have come forward accusing Cosby of sexual assault, with Janice Dicksinson talking about Bill in an interview and supermodel Beverly Johnson saying he drugged her in a Vanity Fair essay. Camille, who's been married to Bill for 50 years, fiercely defends him in her statement, which you can read in full below.

I met my husband, Bill Cosby, in 1963, and we were married in 1964. The man I met, and fell in love with, and whom I continue to love, is the man you all knew through his work. He is a kind man, a generous man, a funny man, and a wonderful husband, father, and friend. He is the man you thought you knew.

A different man has been portrayed in the media over the last two months. It is the portrait of a man I do not know. It is also a portrait painted by individuals and organizations whom many in the media have given a pass. There appears to be no vetting of my husband's accusers before stories are published or aired. An accusation is published, and immediately goes viral.

We all followed the story of the article in the Rolling Stone concerning allegations of rape at the University of Virginia. The story was heartbreaking, but ultimately appears to be proved to be untrue. Many in the media were quick to link that story to stories about my husband — until that story unwound.

None of us will ever want to be in the position of attacking a victim. But the question should be asked — who is the victim?

Source: Getty / Bryan Bedder