Ellen DeGeneres has shared the painful secret of being sexually abused as a teen by her mother’s husband. The abuse began around the time her mother was undergoing a mastectomy for breast cancer.
In heartfelt interviews, Ellen described how the abuser convinced her that “checking” her body was necessary for her mother’s health, leading to repeated assaults. The trauma remained hidden until she bravely disclosed it years later.
Despite her courage, Ellen was met with disbelief; her mother stayed with the abuser for 18 years afterward, deepening Ellen’s loneliness and anger.
Ellen hopes her story will empower survivors to speak up and demand to be believed, emphasizing that trauma memories may be unclear but are valid.
Over the years, Ellen’s resilience and advocacy have shed light on childhood abuse, helping break societal taboos and promote healing.
