Tatum O’Neal, the Oscar-winning actress from Paper Moon, has finally spoken out about being excluded from her father Ryan O’Neal’s $30 million estate. The Hollywood starlet, now 61, described his passing as “liberating,” claiming she is relieved to be free from the emotional pain he caused throughout her life.
Close sources revealed that Tatum, who has battled addiction and health issues for years, was devastated when she learned she had been written out of her father’s will. Many blame Ryan for her turbulent past, alleging he introduced her to drugs and alcohol when she was just a child. Despite their shared success in Paper Moon, their relationship was fraught with turmoil, marked by years of estrangement, abuse, and public feuds.
A Legacy of Trauma and Addiction
Tatum’s struggles with substance abuse began early. Friends disclosed that Ryan’s reckless behavior influenced her downward spiral. He allegedly drank heavily, smoked marijuana, and even snorted cocaine in front of her when she was as young as six years old. Although he gave her a breakthrough role in Paper Moon, he reportedly resented her Academy Award win, refusing to attend the ceremony and even resorting to physical abuse.
Her troubles escalated in the following decades. She endured battles with heroin, cocaine, and alcohol, leading to a near-fatal overdose in 2020 that left her in a coma for six weeks. Despite her health crisis, Ryan never reached out, reinforcing the deep-seated resentment between them.
Cut Off and Left With Nothing
Ryan O’Neal’s death in 2023 reignited wounds for Tatum, who had been struggling with mounting medical bills. Although she had hoped to receive financial support, she was not surprised to learn she had been disinherited. A friend close to her stated that Ryan’s decision was his ultimate act of vengeance, punishing her for exposing his past in her 2011 memoir.
The book detailed his drug use, volatile temper, and emotional abuse toward her and her brothers, Griffin, Patrick, and Redmond. Many believe this public airing of their family’s darkest secrets led Ryan to cut her out of his fortune.
Despite the financial setback, Tatum remains defiant. She believes that no amount of money could compensate for the damage he caused. While she still faces the physical and emotional scars of her past, she takes comfort in knowing she no longer has to endure his toxic presence.
“She could have used the money to get her life back on track,” a friend shared, “but at least she has peace of mind knowing he’s gone for good.”
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Jaja’s career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including Business Times and Brigada. As a news editor, she covered a wide range of beats, including business, economy, cryptocurrency, and personal finance. Additionally, she has successfully managed teams of writers producing content on gaming, technology, and entertainment.
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