A lengthy New York Times article suggests a two-part answer.

First, he couldn’t handle going from being internationally renown following 9/11 to becoming completely irrelevant following his disastrous 2008 Presidential run. Long story short, he decided he’d do whatever was necessary, including help lead an attempted coup, to try to regain some modicum of his former relevance.

Second, he is an alcoholic.

Now, at age 79, he’s running out of money and facing serious jail time. Deserved jail time, not because he’s a threat to the public, but as a deterrent to the next wanna be dictator enablers.

Rudy’s demise is an unparalleled precautionary tale for anyone enamored with the bright lights of media fame. If only someone had slipped him some Marcus Aurelius when he was “America’s Mayor”.