Just days after her daughter, Ellen DeGeneres, bravely broke her silence on the sexual assault allegations against her late stepfather during her teen years, Betty DeGeneres is sharing her side of the story. The beloved star of The Ellen DeGeneres Show’s mother released an emotional statement on May 31, 2023, speaking candidly about her feelings and regrets.
Betty Reflects on the Challenges of Speaking Up
In a heartfelt conversation with Today, Betty, now 89 years old, expressed her deep understanding of the immense difficulty victims face when speaking out about sexual abuse. “I know now that one of the hardest things to do is speak up after being sexually abused,” Betty revealed with raw honesty. She went on to express her love for her daughter, Ellen, and voiced her deep regret for not being more supportive when Ellen tried to confide in her. “I love my daughter, and I wish I had the capacity to listen to her when she told me what happened,” Betty admitted, her voice heavy with emotion.
A Mother's Regret and a Message of Hope
Betty explained that she chose to open up about this painful chapter in her life in hopes of inspiring others to believe victims — something she deeply regrets not doing for her own daughter. “I live with that regret, and I wouldn’t want that for any other parent,” Betty confessed. “If someone in your life has the courage to speak out, please believe them.” Her message is a powerful reminder of the importance of trust and support in helping survivors heal and move forward.
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Ellen's Candid Revelation
Ellen, now 61, first revealed the harrowing details of her experience with sexual assault by her mother’s late husband during an appearance on David Letterman's Netflix series, My Next Guest Needs No Introduction. Speaking with remarkable bravery, Ellen recounted how her mother remarried shortly after a divorce from Elliott DeGeneres in 1974. The man she described as "a very bad man" created an uncomfortable and distressing environment for the young Ellen, culminating in a deeply traumatic incident.
Ellen recalled how her stepfather claimed to feel a lump in Betty’s breast and insisted on examining Ellen’s breast as well, allegedly to avoid upsetting her mother. This horrifying experience left Ellen feeling violated and deeply conflicted. Despite knowing the truth, she chose not to tell her mother because she wanted to protect her happiness, a decision that has since become one of Ellen's biggest regrets.
