Tatum O’Neal and her family have shared their story of a health crisis she faced over three years ago. In an exclusive interview with People, the renowned actor revealed that she had a drug overdose and suffered a stroke, which caused her to be in a coma for six weeks in 2020. O’Neal expressed, “I came really close to death. I’ve been through so much.”
According to reports, O’Neal was discovered by a friend in her apartment in Century City, California, in May 2020. She had overdosed on a combination of pain medication, opiates, and morphine. Her son, Kevin McEnroe, added, “It was the phone call we had always dreaded. She also experienced cardiac arrest and several seizures. There were moments when we thought she wouldn’t make it.”
She was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where she slipped into a coma and was diagnosed with aphasia. This condition, as explained by the National Institutes of Health, occurs due to brain damage affecting the language centers. It impairs a person’s ability to communicate effectively.
McEnroe believes that the emotional toll brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on O’Neal prior to her hospitalization. He and his siblings, Emily and Sean, feared for their mother’s life and doubted she would fully recover. McEnroe shared, “There were moments where it was touch and go. I had to inform my brother and sister that she was at risk of losing her sight, hearing, and possibly her ability to speak.”
Since her hospitalization, O’Neal has been actively working on regaining her strength and memory through various rehabilitation facilities. She is also undergoing treatment for her drug addiction and regularly attending 12-step meetings. O’Neal admitted, “I’ve been striving for sobriety my whole life. Every single day, I am determined to make progress.”
Now 59 years old, O’Neal rose to fame with her role alongside her father, Ryan O’Neal, in the 1973 film “Paper Moon.” At the age of 10, she became the youngest-ever Academy Award winner for Best Supporting Actress the following year. Her marriage to tennis legend John McEnroe from 1986 to 1994 was highly publicized and plagued by accusations of drug abuse and violence. Eventually, she lost custody of her children due to her heroin addiction.
Acknowledging her lifelong struggle with addiction, O’Neal stated that her health scare in 2020 has given her a renewed sense of purpose. She said, “Every day, I am determined to fight. I want to be there for my three beautiful kids.”
If you or someone you know is dealing with substance use disorder or mental health issues, assistance is available. In the United States, you can call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 800-662-HELP (4357).
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