Let me tell you a story about a truly remarkable woman—Tatum O’Neal. This Hollywood legend recently opened up in an interview with CBS Sunday Morning about how her family helped her through some of the toughest times in her life. It’s a heartwarming tale about resilience, love, and the strength that only family can provide.
Rebuilding After a Rough Patch
Sitting down with CBS, the 56-year-old actress revealed just how much her children meant to her during a difficult chapter in her life. Tatum recalled the early years of her marriage to tennis legend John McEnroe and her journey as a young mom. “I was in a dark place,” she admitted. “At 22, I felt like I was losing myself. But then my kids came along, and they gave me a reason to keep fighting. They gave me purpose.”
Even though Tatum and John eventually split in 1994, she looks back on their time together with fondness. “The happiest moments of my life were when I was married,” she shared. “It was the most stable, the most loving period I’ve ever experienced. Funny enough, those years shaped me into who I am today.”
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A Star Mom and Her Famous Kids
Tatum married John McEnroe in 1986, and together they welcomed three beautiful children: Emily, Kevin, and Sean. Now adults, these kids have grown up watching their mom navigate both personal and professional challenges. In fact, Tatum's eldest child, Emily, recently took to social media to praise her mother, calling her “incredibly loving” and “childlike.”
“My mom lights up every room she enters,” Emily gushed. “She’s honest, fun-loving, and just so bright. She has this amazing way of making everyone feel special. That’s the real Tatum O’Neal.”
View this post on InstagramMy darling beauty daughter @emily_mcenroe family is everything to me !! 📷 @kevinjmcenroe ❤️
Finding Strength in Adversity
This isn’t the first time Tatum has opened up about her personal struggles. She’s been candid about hitting "rock bottom" multiple times in her life but always finding the strength to rise again. “My kids were my anchor,” she told Closer Weekly. “They kept me grounded and reminded me what truly matters. Through it all, I leaned on them, my friends, and even my therapist. It’s taken me a long time to figure things out, but I’m finally in a good place now.”
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She continued, “I wish I could go back and tell my younger self everything I know now. Life is a journey, and sometimes you stumble. But if you have love and support, you can overcome anything.”
Fighting Through Health Challenges
Recently, Tatum has faced another challenge—rheumatoid arthritis. Despite the pain and discomfort, she’s determined to stay positive. In a candid Instagram post, she wrote, “Living with rheumatoid arthritis isn’t easy. I’ve had surgeries, falls, and countless heating pads. But guess what? I’m getting better. And rheumatoid arthritis? It can go f–k itself.”
View this post on InstagramR/A slowly trending better. I don’t post selfie’s anymore so here you go / so people will stop worrying about me.. #rheumatoidarthritis #rheumatoidarthritiswarrior #rheumatoidarthritisfighter
Tatum’s inspiring story will be featured in full on CBS Sunday Morning on February 9 at 9 a.m. ET. Don’t miss it!
