Tatum O’Neal, the former child star who is now 61 years old, has made a life-changing decision to live drug-free for the rest of her days. This decision comes after a harrowing near-death experience and a grim prognosis in 2020 that left her with a new perspective on life.
In 2020, Tatum went into a six-week coma and woke up with negative side effects, leading to a dramatic shift in her mindset. This experience made her realize that she never wanted to “hurt herself” again, prompting her to commit to a drug-free lifestyle.
Five years prior to this life-altering moment, Tatum had a terrifying overdose in her Century City apartment, resulting in a severe stroke. During the COVID-19 lockdown, she was dealing with chronic pain from rheumatoid arthritis and was unknowingly prescribed morphine by a doctor who was unaware of her history of addiction. This led to a downward spiral of hopelessness and despair, despite her deep love for her children.
After waking up from the coma, Tatum faced a bleak prognosis â she couldn’t talk, walk, or see. However, her resilience and inner strength began to shine through as she showed steady improvement in her recovery. She rediscovered herself and made significant strides in her journey towards a drug-free life.
In a recent interview, Tatum opened up about her challenging childhood, marked by mistreatment from her actor parents who were also addicts. Despite her early success, winning an Oscar at the age of 10 for her role in “Paper Moon,” Tatum’s life was marred by abuse and exploitation at the hands of her father, Ryan O’Neal.
Ryan openly did drugs in front of Tatum, subjected her to physical and verbal abuse, and even punched her after she was nominated for an Oscar. This tumultuous relationship with her father left a lasting impact on Tatum, leading her to struggle with self-worth and approval-seeking throughout her life.
Despite the years of estrangement and conflict, Tatum visited her father three times after his health crisis before his passing in 2023. During their final meeting, he offered her drugs, but Tatum stood strong in her commitment to sobriety, refusing his offer.
Tatum’s journey towards a drug-free life is a testament to her resilience and determination to overcome the challenges she has faced. Through self-discovery and inner strength, she is forging a new path for herself, free from the shackles of addiction and trauma.
