ELLEN'S EARLY LIFE
Ellen's life while growing up was never what one would consider "easy". Several experiences that occurred in her younger years shaped her into the person she is today.
"'I know now that one of the hardest things to do is to speak up after being sexually abused. I love my daughter, and I wish I had the capacity to listen to her when she told me what happened.'"
-Betty DeGeneres, in an interview with NBC Today
Ellen alongside her mother, Betty
[Image Courtesy of Jason Merritt/Getty Images]
Ellen's childhood was not one she remembers fondly. As a young teenager she was sexually abused by her stepfather, who touched her inappropriately. Ellen did not tell her mother, Betty, right away because she wanted to protect her, and keep her happy. Ellen bottled up all her emotions regarding the incident, until later when she decided it was time to tell her mother. Upon telling her mother, Betty did not believe Ellen; she stayed with Ellen's stepfather for several more years before finally deciding to leave him. All of these events created a traumatic childhood for Ellen, but also built up her courageous spirit which she utilized later in life. She was able to turn her mother's denial into perseverance. These traumatic events turned Ellen into the fighter she is.