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29 Celebrities Who Revealed They Had An Abortion And Talked About What It Was Like
The United States just went back in time half a century into the reality before Roe v. Wade as the Supreme Court overruled it on Jun 24, 2022. Now there is no national law protecting women’s reproductive rights, leaving that decision to state governments. More than half of them already have plans to ban abortion completely or have strict requirements under which it can be carried out.
The decision caused much agitation in the United States and women are speaking up about what consequences it can have as well as their own experiences demonstrating that abortion should be considered a fundamental right.
Through the years, many celebrities have also opened up about having abortions and what it was like for them. It was never an easy decision to make and these women had consequences to deal with, such as experiencing judgment from other people and coping with their own thoughts. But they did it, no matter if it was legal or not, because it was their lives and their decisions to make.
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Ashley Judd
I'm very thankful I was able to access safe and legal abortion. Because the sexual abuser, who is a Kentuckian, as am I, and I reside in Tennessee, has paternity rights in Kentucky and Tennessee. I would've had to co-parent with my sexual abuser.
Whoopi Goldberg
I found out I was pregnant when I was 14 years old — I didn't get a period. I talked to nobody. I panicked. I sat in hot baths. I drank these strange concoctions girls told me about — something like [Johnnie] Walker Red with a little bit of Clorox, alcohol, baking soda — which probably saved my stomach — and some sort of cream. You mixed it all up. I got violently ill. At that moment I was more afraid of having to explain to anybody what was wrong than of going to the park with a hanger, which is what I did.
Omg, how horrific. Sadly it's gonna happen again. My heart aches for all those women who have and will go through these extreme measures to make a choice that directly affects them, no-one else. This is not about pro life, it's about controlling women. If they want to save lives the now about they start saving the lives of all the children being killed at school for a start. Followed by better health care so people don't die from not being able to afford care, have better sex education, mental health services, more support/services for the MILLIONS of children needing loving homes, help the homeless etc. In other words help the ones that are living and breathing people, with their own identity, personality etc.
Billie Jean King
Anyone seeking an abortion [in the early '70s] had to obtain approval from a hospital committee — that is, tell a panel of strangers why they believed their pregnancy would 'gravely impair' their physical and mental health. Arguing to a dozen or so people I had never met why I qualified for an abortion remains one of the most degrading experiences of my life
Horrifying. I just want to hug each of these women, and tell them I understand. I went through the same process in 1970 NYC. To this day I can remember everything.
Laura Prepon
Our neonatal specialist told us the brain was not growing and the bones were not growing. We were told the pregnancy would not go to full term and that my body was at risk carrying any longer. We had to terminate the pregnancy.
A dear family member of mine and his wife had to abort a badly wanted child because the brain was growing outside of the body. The day they went to the clinic was one of the worst days of their lives and there were protesters calling them murderers. "Pro Life" is quite possibly the biggest oxymoron in the english language. They are pro fetus, they have zero care for the lives of the women and sometimes men this effects. They know the repeal of Roe will end lives, established, non-parasitic lives, real lives, women will die, they have no care for life.
Busy Philipps
It's not brave for me to say I had an abortion at 15, because it's a medical thing — a thing, a choice that I made, and I don't regret it at all. This shame [was] perpetrated on me, but I don't have a shame. I'm glad I didn't have that guy's baby. I'm OK. ... We hold on to these things as to not make men uncomfortable, but I'm ready for them to start holding it.
‘The shame was perpetrated on me’ - so incisively accurate. I had no shame.
Gloria Steinem
I was in London because I had a fellowship in India, and I was awaiting my visa. So I was living in London [and] working as a waitress in order to support myself. I had all the usual fantasies [to terminate my pregnancy] — maybe if I go horseback riding, maybe if I throw myself down the stairs. Our minds race through all possible alternatives, and it was sheer luck of going to a doctor whose name I found in the telephone book. It was due to his kindness [and] due to his looking at me and saying, 'If you promise never to tell anyone my name, I will help you.' So he sent me to a woman doctor who actually did the procedure
Phoebe Bridgers
I had an abortion in October of last year while I was on tour. I went to Planned Parenthood, where they gave me the abortion pill. It was easy. Everyone deserves that kind of access.
Pro lifers seem to think that planned Parenthood only does abortions. My best friends in Florida went there for free pap smears ( remember no insurance) and when my friend got pregnant they provided a midwife and birthing plan for her. I thought it was a great experience as I was her birthing partner I got to see just how much they did for her. They even had classes on breastfeeding.
Rose Mcgowan
I have had an abortion and I support this message. I am not ashamed, nor should you be. That 60% of those who choose to have abortions are already mothers says a lot- they understand more than anyone. I was on birth control and it failed.
Not sure about her acting (I've honestly never seen anything she's been in), but she's one hell of a human being. The strength of this woman is incredible.
Uma Thurman
[My abortion] has been my darkest secret until now. I am 51 years old, and I am sharing it with you from the home where I have raised my three children, who are my pride and joy. ... I was just starting out in my career and didn't have the means to provide a stable home, even for myself. We decided as a family that I couldn't go through with the pregnancy, and agreed that termination was the right choice. My heart was broken nonetheless. ... It hurt terribly, but I didn't complain. I had internalized so much shame that I felt I deserved the pain.
Stevie Nicks
If I had not had that abortion, I'm pretty sure there would have been no Fleetwood Mac. There's just no way that I could have had a child then, working as hard as we worked — and there were a lot of drugs. I was doing a lot of drugs … I would have had to walk away. I knew that the music we were going to bring to the world was going to heal so many people's hearts and make people so happy, and I thought: You know what? That's really important. There isn't another band in the world that has two lead women singers [and] two lead women writers. That was my world's mission.
Milla Jovovich
I went into pre term labor and told that I had to be awake for the whole procedure. It was one of the most horrific experiences I have ever gone through. I still have nightmares about it. I was alone and helpless. When I think about the fact that women might have to face abortions in even worse conditions than I did because of new laws, my stomach turns.
That's why we have to fight this. It's so much easier to lose your rights than to get them back. I wish the Democrats would pull a trump and elect some more liberal justices to the supreme Court. As far as I know there is no law on how many can serve at one time. I think Republicans are too heavy-handed and Democrats don't do enough.
Alyssa Milano
I knew at that time, I was not equipped to be a mother, and so I chose to have an abortion. I chose. It was my choice. And it was absolutely the right choice for me.
Never an easy choice, Sometimes the right choice, Always the woman's choice.
Minka Kelly
When I was younger I had an abortion. It was the smartest decision I could've made, not only for myself & my boyfriend at the time, but also for this unborn fetus. Having a baby at that time would have only perpetuated the cycle of poverty, chaos and dysfunction I was born into.
Nicki Minaj
I thought I was going to pass away — I was a teenager. It was the hardest thing I'd ever gone through. It'd be contradictory if I said I wasn't pro-choice — I wasn't ready. I didn't have anything to offer a child.
I still think this at 42. I just know that I have always had financial issues plus depression and anxiety not to mention fibromyalgia so I just never thought that I had enough to give a child but that doesn't mean I wouldn't spoil my friend's children to death!
Jameela Jamil
I had an abortion when I was young, and it was the best decision I have ever made. Both for me and for the baby I didn't want, and wasn't ready for, emotionally, psychologically, and financially. So many children will end up in foster homes, [and] so many lives [will be] ruined.
Jameela Jamil is such an amazing person, she always gets her point across clearly
Chelsea Handler
Of course, the idea that I would have a child and raise it by myself at that age, when I couldn't even find my way home at night, was ridiculous. My parents recognized that, so they acted like parents for one of the very first times in my life and took me to Planned Parenthood.
Amber Tamblyn
In 2012, I had an abortion. It was one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make. I still think about it to this day. But these truths do not make me regret my decision. It was the right choice for me, at that time in my life. I have not a single doubt about this
Sexual Education, Contraceptive Methods and Abortion Access goes a long way :D
Rita Moreno
Marlon took me to the hospital. I had what they told me was a 'disturbed pregnancy'. The doctor didn't do anything really, except make me bleed. In other words, he didn't do it right. I didn't know it then, but I could have pass away. What a mess. What a dreadful mess.
The world is glad that you are still here! You managed to survive despite that cretin/Dr.
Cheryl Burke
I was two weeks pregnant when I got an abortion. I remember rolling up to Planned Parenthood with picketers holding anti-abortion signs and that alone was traumatic. But, on top of it all, the whole process is traumatic and the fact that now, you're making it illegal for us women to make this decision about our own bodies is absolutely insanity.
F*cking people imposing their f*cking 18th century's beliefs on us >:I
Keke Palmer
I was worried about my career responsibilities and afraid that I could not exist as both a career woman and mother. Twitter is sometimes too flat and too short to express intimate sentiments — words without context [can be] very annoying. I am disheartened hearing about the [Alabama abortion ban]. I feel as if women's rights are going backwards, and individual choice is being taken. I'm truly so confused at the world and the policies that follow
I'm confused about the world now too. Feels like the US at least has been regressing. Every time I watch the news I feel like it's a nightmare that I just want to wake up from.
Vanessa Williams
Being pregnant is the most frightening thing that happens in your life. I knew in high school that's something that I was not prepared to do, or fight, or struggle with.
Jemima Kirke
My life was not conducive to raising a healthy [and] happy child — I just didn't feel it was fair. So I decided to get an abortion. Because I couldn't tell my mother that I was pregnant, I had to pay for it out of pocket. I did have to empty my checking account and get [some money] from my boyfriend. I've always felt that reproductive issues should be something that women especially should be able to talk about freely. I still see shame and embarrassment around terminating pregnancies
I'm from EU. Abortions are free (included in basic insurane everyone has). It is also performed by 97% of obgyns. What's happening in USA is horrible.
Tess Holliday
My mental health couldn't handle being pregnant again & I made the best decision for ME & ultimately my family.
Naya Rivera
From the minute I made that first phone call to my mom, it was never a question of whether I was going to have the baby — I just knew I couldn't. And without even saying it, my mom knew it too. It made it easier because I felt like I never had to question if I was making the right decision, but, still, nothing about the next few weeks was even remotely easy.
Linsey Godfrey
I had an abortion. I just simply wasn't in a place, financially or emotionally to take that on. I was and still am glad I had that choice because that's exactly what it was, it was my choice, my body.
Lil' Kim
Most of the things that I talk about [in my lyrics], yeah, they're true. I talk about the pain of being pregnant and having an abortion. I talk about the things that women have gone through that they don't think I've gone through.
Meadow Walker
It is a very private and personal experience - the way it should be. I was lucky enough to have a great doctor who supported me through the debilitating process - with their help, I am able to be the happy and healthy person I am today.
Toni Braxton
I felt selfish because I was thinking: 'I'm going through bankruptcy — there are things going on with my life, and I can't give this kid any future.' I was feeling hopeless for no reason, [and] when I look [back] at it now for no reason, what was I thinking? I am not really embarrassed about it — I am more ashamed of myself for doing that because I could've figured something out financially. That was just an excuse I was making for myself.
She shouldn't be ashamed she couldn't give the child everything it deserved without driving her self into the ground.
Rozonda Thomas (Chilli From Tlc)
I was 20 and my career hadn't really started, [and I got pregnant]. How do I do all that? How do I be a mommy? [The abortion] messed me up — it broke my spirit. I felt like I became not my strong self anymore. I felt like I gave in and broke [down] to what someone else wanted. I cried almost every day for nine years. And then I was caught up — I had to have a baby. I had to fix it, and the only way I could fix it was with [TLC producer Dallas Austin]. I could only have this baby with him because the baby I didn't have was with him
I was gang-raped in college by at least 3 men. (It was dark, but I know there were at least 3 from their voices.) It was a holiday weekend, and I didn't go home. The dorm was nearly deserted; I think there might have been one other person on my floor. They jumped me in the women's room after turning out the lights. The pregnancy was the result of violence against me, and there was no way I was going to even carry it to term, never mind raise it. That was nearly 40 years ago, and I still know I did the right thing.
All men should have a vasectomy, if we want it reversed, then the doctor should ask for confirmation from the partners in our lives. Once the woman confirms, in writing, and a panel of responsible women agree, the vasectomy can then be reversed. Any pregnancies due to the men cheating, the babies should be 100% the man's responsibility, as it is entirely their fault for be a lying, no good dirt bag. I say this as a man.
I was pregnant for the second time with my abusive boyfriend's child, I knew if I had to have another child with him it could cost me my life and it could lead to a horrible future for not only the child I already had but that one and myself. I also have a condition that makes pregnancy very dangerous so I would have had to put my life at risk to have the child with someone I could barely stand to be around because he beat me. Finally I'm free that wouldn't have happened if I had to have another baby from him
I'd like to add that deciding you do not want a child after all, your birthcontrol failing or you simply had a lapse of judgment in the heat of the moment (i.e. not using a condom or w/e) are also valid reasons for wanting to get an abortion. It's not only victims of abuse that should have access to safe methods of abortion, but any woman anywhere.
I was 16 and part of a multi-generational, substance-addicted, abusive and chaotic family living in intense poverty. I had to drive to a neighboring state. I was not taught that human life had value (mine or anyone else's). I knew I would HATE that baby. I knew I would hurt it. And I haven't regretted it for one minute.
Yet a lot of the anti abortion crowd are "my body, my choice" when it comes to vaccines.
Has anyone noticed the people who say "if you don't want a baby don't have sex" are the same people who say (especially of teens) that asexuals are lying and just looking for attention. They say access to abortion promotes teen pregnancy. So you acknowledge that there is a strong desire for sex because you can't wrap your brain around not wanting it, but also say ignore this urge unless you want a baby. You can't have both people, they are mutually exclusive. The only logical answer is that unwanted pregnancies happen and it's the peak of irresponsible behavior to force this child into the world and to force that burden on those that don't want the child or can't have the child
The fact that this is even a conversation infuriates me. It's none of my business. Period. End. Of. Discussion. Not "as a man, it's none of my business" because if I were a woman, it'd still be none of my business what other women do with their bodies and lives. Women shouldn't have to tell their story. There should be nothing to say but, I did a thing, it was the thing I wanted to do. No explanation should be necessary. No shame should be attributed. This is a procedure that has been open and available to women since the birth of civilization (circa 1500 BC). This is all so insane. We might as well ban wombs. God, I just want to kick people sometimes. Sorry, hats off to all of these women, and all of you who have come forward with your stories. I just wish you didn't have to.
We all know if men would be the ones who get pregnant there would be abortion clinics on every corner.
when people say, what if the man wants the baby? he doesn't have to go through nine months of pregnancy and go through labor or get a c section. he can adopt. it's a woman's decision, not a man's.
These american politicians think all these unwanted babies come from God, like Mary had Jesus? Not any human male needed for it? Nice. I hope these men's kids and grandkids once will get some bad condoms. Sorry.
I have a question about the ‘morning after pill’. Is it going to be made freely available to women as abortions won’t be available in the US? I know a Catholic woman who refused to take it, because to her it was another form of abortion.
Where are all the men in these stories? They didn't get pregnant alone but they share NONE of the shame or responsibility. Woman are so much stronger than men . . .
And everyone said women were overreacting when they protested because Trumplethinskin won in 2016.
My friend had one child, then became pregnant to husband again later. She could not have the child, her first birth caused so much damage partly due to her congenital condition. She was sad, she had wanted another, but she had the abortion and then went on Depo Provera. NZ allows abortions and for more than just life threatening conditions.
I literally do NOT CARE who has had abortion. That aside f**k this Supreme courts decision to take away tens of millions women right to decide, f**k them to hell
People are going to have abortions. These procedures can be done safely if legalized. People are going to die because they cannot get help safely.
At this rate, the United States of America would turn into the Holy States of Jesuskistan in the near future.
Years ago I was friends with a girl who was Sikh & her parents came from India. She told me her mom told her she had an abortionwhen newly married to their dad (arranged marriage- they seemed happy) as they were trying to get stuff together & were not ready. It was not a big deal or shame to share this with her daughter. It’s interesting that a non Christian society can look at it in a factual way
I have no regrets. My husband and I ended up with a vindictive roommate, when I wouldn't return his feelings, he stole our rent and one day he left. We were about to be homeless when I discovered I was pregnant and I was devastated. I had nothing to offer this child and I knew I wasn't ready. I lived this baby already and we tried hard to find ways but in the end we knew the right decision to make. It's been more than 14 years since then and I know I made a decision that was right. To this day I know I'd be a horrible mother. No child deserves a mother who resents her child for taking away her freetime. Oh, and I was on birth control when I got pregnant for anyone who wants to start yelling at me about responsibility.
To whom ever might need it, the song greensleaves hides an mideval herbal abortion remedy. Parsley, sage and rosemary can cause a misscarriage and thyme is an antiflammatory herb.
If women are forced to not have abortions then men should be forced to not masturbate. Because the release of sperm can also be considered murder. Yes that is completely pathetic and stupid, just like the anti-abortion laws.
I was gang-raped in college by at least 3 men. (It was dark, but I know there were at least 3 from their voices.) It was a holiday weekend, and I didn't go home. The dorm was nearly deserted; I think there might have been one other person on my floor. They jumped me in the women's room after turning out the lights. The pregnancy was the result of violence against me, and there was no way I was going to even carry it to term, never mind raise it. That was nearly 40 years ago, and I still know I did the right thing.
All men should have a vasectomy, if we want it reversed, then the doctor should ask for confirmation from the partners in our lives. Once the woman confirms, in writing, and a panel of responsible women agree, the vasectomy can then be reversed. Any pregnancies due to the men cheating, the babies should be 100% the man's responsibility, as it is entirely their fault for be a lying, no good dirt bag. I say this as a man.
I was pregnant for the second time with my abusive boyfriend's child, I knew if I had to have another child with him it could cost me my life and it could lead to a horrible future for not only the child I already had but that one and myself. I also have a condition that makes pregnancy very dangerous so I would have had to put my life at risk to have the child with someone I could barely stand to be around because he beat me. Finally I'm free that wouldn't have happened if I had to have another baby from him
I'd like to add that deciding you do not want a child after all, your birthcontrol failing or you simply had a lapse of judgment in the heat of the moment (i.e. not using a condom or w/e) are also valid reasons for wanting to get an abortion. It's not only victims of abuse that should have access to safe methods of abortion, but any woman anywhere.
I was 16 and part of a multi-generational, substance-addicted, abusive and chaotic family living in intense poverty. I had to drive to a neighboring state. I was not taught that human life had value (mine or anyone else's). I knew I would HATE that baby. I knew I would hurt it. And I haven't regretted it for one minute.
Yet a lot of the anti abortion crowd are "my body, my choice" when it comes to vaccines.
Has anyone noticed the people who say "if you don't want a baby don't have sex" are the same people who say (especially of teens) that asexuals are lying and just looking for attention. They say access to abortion promotes teen pregnancy. So you acknowledge that there is a strong desire for sex because you can't wrap your brain around not wanting it, but also say ignore this urge unless you want a baby. You can't have both people, they are mutually exclusive. The only logical answer is that unwanted pregnancies happen and it's the peak of irresponsible behavior to force this child into the world and to force that burden on those that don't want the child or can't have the child
The fact that this is even a conversation infuriates me. It's none of my business. Period. End. Of. Discussion. Not "as a man, it's none of my business" because if I were a woman, it'd still be none of my business what other women do with their bodies and lives. Women shouldn't have to tell their story. There should be nothing to say but, I did a thing, it was the thing I wanted to do. No explanation should be necessary. No shame should be attributed. This is a procedure that has been open and available to women since the birth of civilization (circa 1500 BC). This is all so insane. We might as well ban wombs. God, I just want to kick people sometimes. Sorry, hats off to all of these women, and all of you who have come forward with your stories. I just wish you didn't have to.
We all know if men would be the ones who get pregnant there would be abortion clinics on every corner.
when people say, what if the man wants the baby? he doesn't have to go through nine months of pregnancy and go through labor or get a c section. he can adopt. it's a woman's decision, not a man's.
These american politicians think all these unwanted babies come from God, like Mary had Jesus? Not any human male needed for it? Nice. I hope these men's kids and grandkids once will get some bad condoms. Sorry.
I have a question about the ‘morning after pill’. Is it going to be made freely available to women as abortions won’t be available in the US? I know a Catholic woman who refused to take it, because to her it was another form of abortion.
Where are all the men in these stories? They didn't get pregnant alone but they share NONE of the shame or responsibility. Woman are so much stronger than men . . .
And everyone said women were overreacting when they protested because Trumplethinskin won in 2016.
My friend had one child, then became pregnant to husband again later. She could not have the child, her first birth caused so much damage partly due to her congenital condition. She was sad, she had wanted another, but she had the abortion and then went on Depo Provera. NZ allows abortions and for more than just life threatening conditions.
I literally do NOT CARE who has had abortion. That aside f**k this Supreme courts decision to take away tens of millions women right to decide, f**k them to hell
People are going to have abortions. These procedures can be done safely if legalized. People are going to die because they cannot get help safely.
At this rate, the United States of America would turn into the Holy States of Jesuskistan in the near future.
Years ago I was friends with a girl who was Sikh & her parents came from India. She told me her mom told her she had an abortionwhen newly married to their dad (arranged marriage- they seemed happy) as they were trying to get stuff together & were not ready. It was not a big deal or shame to share this with her daughter. It’s interesting that a non Christian society can look at it in a factual way
I have no regrets. My husband and I ended up with a vindictive roommate, when I wouldn't return his feelings, he stole our rent and one day he left. We were about to be homeless when I discovered I was pregnant and I was devastated. I had nothing to offer this child and I knew I wasn't ready. I lived this baby already and we tried hard to find ways but in the end we knew the right decision to make. It's been more than 14 years since then and I know I made a decision that was right. To this day I know I'd be a horrible mother. No child deserves a mother who resents her child for taking away her freetime. Oh, and I was on birth control when I got pregnant for anyone who wants to start yelling at me about responsibility.
To whom ever might need it, the song greensleaves hides an mideval herbal abortion remedy. Parsley, sage and rosemary can cause a misscarriage and thyme is an antiflammatory herb.
If women are forced to not have abortions then men should be forced to not masturbate. Because the release of sperm can also be considered murder. Yes that is completely pathetic and stupid, just like the anti-abortion laws.
