He-Man creator Roger Sweet battling dementia as wife launches GoFundMe for care

He-Man creator Roger Sweet moved to memory care amid dementia battle

Roger Sweet, the creator of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, has been diagnosed with dementia and placed in a memory care facility as his condition continues to worsen, according to his wife.

In a heartfelt post shared on GoFundMe, Sweet’s wife of nearly 40 years, Marlene, revealed that the 90-year-old’s illness has progressed significantly in recent years, making it increasingly difficult for her to care for him at home. “Roger is now nearly 91 years old and sadly has dementia,” she wrote, describing the toll the condition has taken on his daily life.

Marlene said the turning point came after Sweet went out for a walk and returned disoriented with severe bruising, unable to recall what had happened. She took him to the emergency room, where doctors discovered he had suffered two brain bleeds. After hours of testing and a stay in the ICU, physicians deemed him high-risk for further falls and recommended he move into a monitored memory care facility.

Doctors advised that Sweet use a walker due to both the dementia and the brain injuries, but Marlene noted that he often resists assistance due to confusion. Ultimately, medical professionals determined that around-the-clock supervision was necessary to ensure his safety.

Sweet has since settled into the chosen facility, though Marlene shared that his cognitive decline continues. She launched the GoFundMe campaign to help cover the $10,200 monthly cost of care, which is not covered by insurance. “It is devastating to see this happening,” she wrote.

Dementia is an umbrella term describing impaired memory, thinking, or decision-making abilities that interfere with daily activities. According to the CDC, it is not a normal part of aging, and Alzheimer’s disease remains the most common form.

Sweet is widely credited with developing the original He-Man concept in the early 1980s, helping shape one of the most iconic toy and animated franchises of its era.