The tragic tale of Sia's first love: Death of boyfriend Daniel Pontifex in 1997 led to downward spiral which almost claimed her life... as singer files for divorce from Erik Anders Lang

By Greg Styles For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 20:35 EST, 30 December 2016 | Updated: 21:30 EST, 30 December 2016

Sia has filed for divorce from husband Erik Anders Lang after two years of marriage, TMZ confirmed on Friday.

But less known is tragic tale of her first love, Daniel Pontifex, whose untimely death led to her drug abuse and alcoholism.

The singer, real name Sia Furler, also previously revealed she's bisexual, and that she wanted to have children with ex Jocelyn 'JD' Samson before they split in 2011.

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End of the road: Sia (L) has filed for divorce from husband Erik Anders Lang (R) after two years of marriage, TMZ confirmed on Friday

Sia was just 21 when Adelaide-born Dan was run over and killed by a taxi while working at Kensington Place Restaurant in London in 1997.

Sia and Dan, who died on his 24th birthday, weren't together at the time of the accident - but were in the process of reconciling when she got the terrible news while on holiday in South East Asia.

In December 2007, the notoriously private musician opened up about the tragedy in an interview with GigWise.   

The 41-year-old said: 'We'd split up but we were going to get back together and travel. I was five days into my stay in Thailand and I got this call from my mum and I knew that someone had died.'

Loss: But less known is tragic tale of Sia's first love, Daniel Pontifex, whose untimely death in the late '90s led to her drug abuse and alcoholism. Sia pictured in 2008

Daniel's friends in the UK rallied around Sia and asked her to come to London - an invitation she accepted and which ultimately set her on a path to alcohol abuse.

She said: 'I went back to his funeral in Adelaide and his friends in London were so nice, they rang me and said we know you've got a ticket here, come anyway and stay with us.

'So I came and there was like thirteen of us in a three-bedroom apartment and we were all grieving and we all got drunk for a f**king long time.' 

The bender - which took place as she was trying to launch a solo career - went on for several years, she told The Sunday Telegraph in 2007.

Troubling time: Daniel's friends in the UK rallied around Sia and asked her to come to London - an invitation she accepted and which ultimately set her on a path to alcohol abuse

Struggles: The bender - which took place as she was trying to launch a solo career - went on for six years, Sia told The Sunday Telegraph in 2007

She said: 'We were all devastated, so we got s**t-faced on drugs and (British strong lager) Special Brew. Unfortunately, that bender lasted six years for me.'

Sia penned her second studio album in 2001, Healing Is Difficult, featuring a track of the same name which was written about her struggles to overcome Dan's death. 

The singer's insecurities manifested themselves on stage, with Sia hiding her face behind masks and face-paint during gigs, which she often needed the aid of alcohol to get through. 

Her addiction spread to painkillers, Xanax and OxyContin after she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, eventually leading to a suicide attempt. 

The Australian, who's worked with some of the biggest names in the music industry, went so far as to leave instructions and write a suicide note as she considered taking her life back in 2010.

Fortunately, a friend inadvertently called in time to interrupt her plan, and Sia began a 12-step recovery program. 

Hidden identity: The singer's insecurities following the tragedy manifested themselves on stage, with Sia hiding her face behind masks and face-paint during gigs

The thwarted suicide attempt came during her relationship with singer Jocelyn 'JD' Samson, who she was intent on having children with before they split five years ago.

In 2010, Sia told the Sydney Morning Herald the couple were fighting against same-sex discrimination in America, where the artist has lived since relocating to New York in 2005.

She said: 'We pay the same taxes but we don't get the same tax breaks as heterosexual married couples and we'd like that, so we're fighting for equal rights.'

Low point: Sia went so far as to leave instructions and write a suicide note as she considered taking her life back in 2010

Former flames: The thwarted suicide attempt came during her relationship with singer Jocelyn 'JD' Samson (L), who she was intent on having children with before they split five years ago

The songstress also revealed she was in relationships with men for most of her life before meeting Jocelyn.

'We are in love and we want to have kids. We have four sperm donors that we have narrowed it down to,' she said before the break-up. 

Earlier this month, the performer confirmed in a statement she was separating from filmmaker Erik Anders Lang after 'much soul-searching and consideration'.

Parting ways: Earlier this month, the performer confirmed in a statement she was separating from filmmaker Erik Anders Lang after 'much soul-searching and consideration'

The pair were rarely spotted in public together after tying the knot at Sia's California home in August 2014, two months after getting engaged.

Sia only confirmed their marriage eight months after the ceremony, and has remained tight-lipped about their relationship.

TMZ reported the relevant divorce documents had been filed in LA on Friday.

If you, or someone you know, needs support please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au.

Private people: The couple were rarely spotted in public together after tying the knot at Sia's California home in August 2014, two months after getting engaged

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