Basic Instinct turned Sharon Stone into one of Hollywood’s most unforgettable femme fatales, but there’s so much more to this powerhouse actress than her iconic roles. At 62, Sharon remains as captivating as ever, and she's ready to share her life’s intricate journey in her upcoming memoir, The Beauty of Living Twice, set for release in late 2020. In this deeply personal book, Sharon delves into her complex relationship with her mother, her groundbreaking performances, the loves that shaped her life, and the life-altering near-death experience in 2001 that transformed her forever.
From Small Town Roots to Hollywood Stardom
Growing up in the quiet town of Meadville, Pennsylvania, Sharon always felt like she didn’t belong. "I was a very intense, weird kid," she reveals. "I had questions that seemed too big for my age, and I wanted answers that felt beyond my years. My poor mother didn’t know what to do with me. She’d just look at me, horrified, like I was speaking another language." Sharon's early years were marked by a relentless curiosity and an unyielding desire to understand the world around her, which ultimately fueled her drive to break free from the constraints of her small-town life.
Finding Her Path in the World of Entertainment
Sharon found her escape by heading off to college, but soon realized modeling was her ticket to bigger opportunities. Even though she didn’t fit the typical mold of tall, waif-like models, she pushed forward, embracing her unique qualities. In the 1980s, she made the bold decision to leave modeling behind and pursue acting full-time. Her big break came in 1992 with Basic Instinct, where she shared an undeniable chemistry with co-star Michael Douglas. "Our energy together was electric," she recalls. "It was primal, raw, and unforgettable."
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A Life Under the Spotlight
The success of Basic Instinct catapulted Sharon into the limelight, but with fame came intense scrutiny. She was linked to some of the most eligible bachelors of the early '90s, including David Duchovny, Dwight Yoakam, and even John F. Kennedy Jr.. In 1993, she co-produced Sliver, a project that sparked controversy when a co-producer left his new wife for her. "That kind of sudden fame is terrifying," she admitted at the time. "It feels like an invasion of your personal space."
By 1998, Sharon decided it was time to retreat from the chaos. She moved to San Francisco and married newspaper executive Phil Bronstein after a whirlwind romance. Despite suffering two miscarriages, the couple adopted their son, Roan, in 2000. "It was such a blessing," Sharon reflects. "I felt like everything was finally falling into place." But life had more challenges in store. Fifteen months later, Sharon suffered a severe stroke and brain hemorrhage, leaving her with memory loss and causing her marriage to unravel.
Rising from Ashes: A New Beginning
"Once your life has been scorched to the ground, it takes time to rise again," Sharon shares. "You have to stand still long enough to heal, to love yourself, and to forgive." Returning to Los Angeles, she rebuilt her life and adopted two more sons, Laird in 2005 and Quinn in 2006. "This was my time of greatest change," she explains. "I was a mom raising three beautiful boys, but I was also fighting constant custody battles over my oldest child." In 2008, her ex-husband, Phil Bronstein, was granted primary custody of Roan. "It broke me," Sharon admits. "But I learned to keep moving forward."
Healing Through Writing and Compassion
Sharon turned to writing as a way to process her experiences and heal. "Humanitarian causes and my children became my focus," she says. "I had to let go of those painful emotions and focus on being the best mother I could be." Writing her memoir also helped mend her relationship with her mother. "She always thought I didn’t like her, and I thought she was unloving," Sharon reveals. "We read parts of the book together, and we both cried. She’s so proud of me now, and I’m so grateful for her understanding."
For a deeper look into Sharon Stone’s incredible journey, grab the latest issue of Closer Weekly, available now on newsstands!
