There are some lessons that I don’t think we, as a society, should ever stop championing, irrespective of how many times they’ve been taught.
You know the sort of lessons I mean. I’m talking about things like the importance of treating all people equally, or how crucial it is that we ensure our children receive a proper education, or the dos and don’ts when operating heavy machinery, like say, driving a car.
These are all things we’ve been taught time and again, but it never hurts to refresh ourselves. Take, for example, the latter of those three subjects.
Now, I’d hope that all of our readers know how dangerous it can be to drive a car without one hundred percent due care and attention, especially given how many horror stories we hear about nowadays.
And yet while you’ve inevitably heard your fair share of tales relating to the catastrophes that can unfold when an individual does something irresponsible while behind the wheel of a vehicle, you’ve likely never heard a story quite like this one.
It played out ten years ago now, back in 2014, but we here at Newsner believe that the message it conveys is absolutely just as important today.
It concerns a woman who was killed in a head-on collision on a US highway moments after she had posted selfies and updated her Facebook page while driving her car.
As per The Independent, 32-year-old Courtney Sanford wrote a Facebook status at 8:33am on Thursday, April 24, 2014 that read: “The happy song makes me so HAPPY.”
Reportedly, police were then called to reports of a crash at 8:34am.
Authorities detailed how Courtney was alone in her car when it crossed the central reservation before crashing into a recycling truck and bursting into flames.
Police confirmed that they had found no evidence that drink, drugs or speed were factors in the fatal collision, but High Point Police Department spokesperson Lt Chris Weisner said the incident was a warning for “showing what happens when you text and drive”.
Credit: Shutterstock (Stock Image, not directly related to article)
“In a matter of seconds, a life was over just so she could notify some friends that she was happy. It’s really not worth it,” Weisner said.
“As sad as it is, it is also a grim reminder for everyone… you just have to pay attention while you are in the car.”
The driver of the recycling truck, 73-year-old John Wallace Thompson, walked away from the collision unharmed.
Heartbreaking as this story is, it should serve as a timely reminder that nothing good can come of driving while distracted.
It’s been 25 years since a tragic plane crash claimed the lives of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette, a couple who captivated the world with their passionate romance.
For decades, mystery surrounded the true state of their marriage, especially in the tumultuous weeks and days leading up to their untimely deaths.
Recently, those closest to John and Carolyn have unveiled intimate details about their relationship — from their attempts at reconciliation, to the unsettling murmurs of infidelity.
In July 1999, the world was stunned by the tragic deaths of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. As the nation mourned the loss of the beloved couple, whispers of tension and turmoil in their final days began to emerge.
John F. Kennedy Jr. planting a kiss on Carolyn Bessette’s cheek at the annual White House Correspondents dinner on May 1, 1999, in Washington, D.C. | Source: Getty Images
The nation grappled with the sudden loss, with many looking back at the origins of John and Carolyn’s relationship, seeking to understand the couple behind the headlines. Carolyn, known for her striking beauty and keen fashion sense, had a life of her own before meeting John.
John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette at the kick-off party for The Warhol Look: Glamour, Style, Fashion event at the Whitney Museum on November 6, 1997, in new York. | Source: Getty Images
After graduating from Boston University with a degree in education, she started working at Calvin Klein’s boutique in Boston. Her life changed when she moved to New York in 1989 and took a job in VIP sales for Calvin Klein. There, she met John.
In the spring of 1992, Calvin Klein was reintroducing menswear. John had a fitting scheduled, and Calvin decided Carolyn should assist him. John left the meeting with a new wardrobe and Carolyn’s phone number.
Calvin Klein and Carolyn Bessette at the City of Hope fundraiser on October 28, 1992, in New York. | Source: Getty Images
Calvin’s assistant recalled, “John invited her to join his group at a gala dinner. Sitting next to him was another woman that Carolyn either mistook as his date or actually was his date.” This confusion left Carolyn unimpressed, but fate would bring them together again soon.
Their next big encounter was at a fundraiser on May 18. John and Carolyn spent over an hour engrossed in conversation at the bar and never looked away from each other. This marked the beginning of a whirlwind romance.
Caroline Bessette photographed planting a kiss on John F. Kennedy Jr.’s cheek in the back of a taxi in New York on March 11, 1996. | Source: Getty Images
They had sultry dinners, danced, and took intimate walks in Central Park. John even introduced Carolyn to Sea Song, his Long Island home shared with his cousin, Anthony Radziwill.
However, the budding relationship was not without its challenges, as John and Carolyn were on-again-off-again for years. One notable incident occurred when John gave Carolyn a letter from a friend accusing her of being a social climber.
Carolyn Bessette posing for a portrait on August 25, 1992, in New York. | Source: Getty Images
Shocked and hurt, Carolyn watched as John left the restaurant, leaving her to process the harsh accusations alone. During these trials, John was often seen with other women, including actress Daryl Hannah, a fact well-documented by the press.
Carolyn, aware of the competition, once found a pair of duck boots belonging to John’s ex-girlfriend, Julie Baker, in his apartment. Despite them being a size too small, she wore them, making a statement.
Carolyn Bessette at a Calvin Klein Fashion Show on April 10, 1994, in New York. | Source: Getty Images
Friends of Carolyn noted how John’s persistence played a crucial role in their evolving relationship. One friend shared that he called all the time. Carolyn reportedly then crafted an answering machine message that made him think she had moved on.
Anyone who wanted to leave a message would hear Carolyn saying, “Hey, hon, I’ll be back by seven o’clock, can’t wait to see you!” The plan worked, and John began calling even more. By the summer of 1995, their relationship had reached a pivotal moment.
John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette, circa 1996. | Source: Getty Images
During a weekend fishing trip to Martha’s Vineyard, John uniquely proposed to Carolyn. While out on the water, he turned to her and said fishing was so much better with a partner. John then presented Carolyn with a platinum band adorned with diamonds and sapphires.
Her initial response was cautious, as she told John she would think about it. Eventually, Carolyn accepted and began planning one of the most anticipated weddings of the decade.
John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette at a reception at the Whitney Museum in 1996. | Source: Getty Images
Their wedding took place on September 21, 1996, on Cumberland Island, Georgia, at the First African Baptist Church. The intimate gathering was a contrast to the grand public spectacles associated with the Kennedy family.
The reception at the Greyfield Inn added to the charm, with the couple surrounded by 40 of their closest friends and family members. Carolyn’s wedding dress became a focal point, forever altering bridal fashion.
It was designed by her friend Narciso Rodriguez and epitomized elegance and simplicity. The bride paired her pearl-colored silk crepe dress with a silk tulle veil and crystal-beaded Manolo Blahnik sandals.
She tied the ensemble together with long white gloves and a bouquet of lilies. Carolyn’s hair was styled into a bun and secured with a clip that once belonged to her mother-in-law, Jacqueline Kennedy, adding a touch of personal history.
Denis Reggie, a veteran Kennedy family photographer, captured touching moments from the special day. He immortalized the moment John kissed Carolyn’s hand as they left the church. “It was an incredibly magical moment. I saw it as it was unfolding, almost in silhouette,” Denis shared.
“It was virtually dark outside. John reached for the hand of Carolyn; she was caught off guard. I’m walking backward in the light rain at dusk, and John does this amazing gesture, taking her hand and bringing it to his lips,” he continued.
In 2023, new details about the wedding emerged in the book “CBK: Caroline Bessette Kennedy: A Life in Fashion” by Sunita Kumar Nair. In the book, hairstylist George Kyriakos revealed that Carolyn was late on her wedding day.
This was due to last-minute alterations to her $40,000 gown, necessitated by weight loss in the days leading up to the event. Wedding guest Sasha Chermayeff, one of John’s best friends, noted that the delay only added to the magic of the ceremony.
After their honeymoon, John and Carolyn returned to life as newlyweds. However, the intense and relentless media attention cast a shadow over their attempts to build a life together.
The couple faced numerous challenges, which became more pronounced in the weeks and days leading up to their tragic death. A 2024 book titled “JFK Jr: An Intimate Oral Biography” by Rose Marie Terenzio, John’s assistant and close friend, shed light on the immense pressures the couple was experiencing.
Carolyn Bessette and John F. Kennedy Jr. spotted on a walk in 1996. | Source: Getty Images
One significant stressor was the impending death of John’s closest cousin, Anthony, who was battling cancer. John was also struggling to secure new financing for his political magazine, George.
Carolyn, on the other hand, grappled with the challenges of living in the global spotlight. John had grown used to media attention throughout his life. However, she found the constant surveillance invasive and, at times, terrifying.
John F. Kennedy Jr. and Caroline Bessette photographed in New York, circa 1996. | Source: Getty Images
“They were both very sympathetic to what the other one was going through, but also getting a little impatient. Sort of, ‘When will things be okay at George?’” revealed author Elizabeth Beller.
“‘When will we stop having to have every night be about going out to promote the magazine or look for advertisers?’ And [John] felt like, ‘When are you going to be able to handle the press, because it’s not going to go away?’” she continued.
Caroline Bessette and John F. Kennedy Jr. spotted in New York in 1996. | Source: Getty Images
In response to the mounting pressures, John and Carolyn began attending marriage counseling in the spring of their final year. However, rumors of infidelity further complicated the couple’s efforts to move forward.
Carolyn Bessette and John F. Kennedy Jr. during a reception at Chateau de Malagny, circa 1996. | Source: Getty Images
John reportedly spent at least one night during hid last week alive at the Stanhope Hotel. Rumors had it he was seeing his former girlfriend, Julie Baker. The alleged meet-up occurred near the Upper East Side neighborhood where John, his sister Caroline, and their mother once lived.
John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette photographed leaving their New York apartment, circa 1996. | Source: Getty Images
Years later, Carolyn’s ex-boyfriend, Calvin Klein model Michael Bergin, claimed in his 2005 book “The Other Man,” that he continued to have a romantic relationship with her during her marriage. This further raised suspicions about the true state of John and Carolyn’s relationship.
The late couple’s marriage also suffered from Carolyn’s lingering resentment of the fact that John had never introduced her to his mother before she died on May 19, 1994.
John F. Kennedy Jr. and Jacqueline Kennedy at the opening of J.F.K. Library in 1999. | Source: Getty Images
Carolyn had introduced John to her own mother, which made Jacqueline’s absence even more poignant. “If Carolyn met Jackie, I think he knew that that would sort of become a life of its own. And maybe he wasn’t quite ready for that,” Elizabeth shared.
Carolyn Bessette and John F. Kennedy Jr. photographed in New York, circa 1997. | Source: Getty Images
In a final bid to mend their strained relationship, Carolyn agreed to go with John to his cousin Rory’s wedding in Hyannis Port. The plan involved a stopover at Martha’s Vineyard to drop off Carolyn’s sister, Lauren.
Carolyn Bessette and John F. Kennedy Jr. at the Municipal Art Society’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Medal Awards on April 6, 1998, in New York. | Source: Getty Images
John, an experienced pilot, would then fly his Piper Saratoga plane, which he had bought earlier that spring, to Hyannis Port. On July 16, after a day at the office, John met Lauren at 6 p.m. for the drive to Caldwell Airport in New Jersey. Carolyn arrived separately via car service.
Carolyn Bessette and John F. Kennedy Jr. after Michael Kennedy’s funeral in 1998 in Boston, Massachusetts. | Source: Getty Images
For decades, rumors swirled that Carolyn was late to arrive at the airport because of a spa appointment. However, eyewitnesses clarified that she had left the spa by 5 p.m. and had made a quick stop at Saks to buy a dress for the wedding.
John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette at the annual John F. Kennedy Library Foundation dinner and Profiles in Courage Awards on May 23, 1999, at the Kennedy Library in Boston, Massachusetts. | Source: Getty Images
As Carolyn departed, a salesgirl wished her good luck. By the time their plane took off at 8:38 p.m., the sun was setting, and visibility was poor due to worsening weather conditions.
Tragically, John and Carolyn never made it to Hyannis Port. The plane crashed into the waters about seven miles from Martha’s Vineyard, killing them and Lauren on July 16, 1999. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) thoroughly investigated the crash.
The front page of the Daily News dated July 18, 1999. | Source: Getty Images
Their findings pointed to spatial disorientation as the primary cause. The report concluded that the “probable cause(s) of this accident to be the pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during a descent over water at night. Factors in the accident were haze and the dark night.”
Carolyn Bessette and John F. Kennedy Jr. at the Newman’s Own George Awards at the US Customs House in 1999 in New York. | Source: Getty Images
John, who was used to visual flying conditions, struggled with the poor visibility that evening. The hazy night, coupled with his relatively limited experience flying in such conditions, led to a tragic loss of control.
“I know [Carolyn] didn’t want to go to the wedding. I think she had been to so many events, she just needed a break. But the bottom line is, she did end up deciding to go. She went with him. She made that commitment to say, ‘I will go with you,’” Elizabeth revealed.
Carolyn Bessette and John F. Kennedy Jr. at the 1999 White House Correspondents’ Dinner. | Source: Getty Images
John, Carolyn, and Lauren’s tragic deaths sent shockwaves across the nation and beyond. It marked a poignant end to the lives of two individuals who had captivated the public with their passionate romance.
In the years following the crash, John and Carolyn’s legacies have been the subject of many books, documentaries, and articles.
John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy at the Brite Night Whitney annual fundraising gala on March 9, 1999, at the Whitney Museum in New York. | Source: Getty Images
Carolyn Bessette was an admired fashion icon during her lifetime and continues to inspire over two decades after her death. Her elegant style and poised demeanor left a lasting impact on the fashion world.
Together with her husband, their love story and tragic end remain etched in public memory. Their legacy of love and passion will forever live on, captivating and inspiring future generations.
In an extraordinary display of commitment, an Illinois teacher, known affectionately as “Ms. Helma,” went above and beyond to make sure that one of her 4th-grade students with cerebral palsy could participate in a two-day hiking trip. Helma Wardenaar’s dedication was so profound that she physically carried 10-year-old Maggie Vazquez, creating an inclusive and memorable experience for the young student.
As the school administrators grappled with finding a solution to include Maggie in the trip to Camp Sullivan, located 40 miles from their Chicago charter school, Academy of Global Citizenship, Wardenaar’s determination shone through. The focus was never on whether Maggie would go but on figuring out the most suitable method to make it happen.
Various ideas were explored, ranging from a wheelchair to a barrel and even the whimsical notion of renting a pony. However, logistical challenges and forest preserve regulations ruled out these options. Undeterred, Wardenaar turned to social media, seeking advice on Facebook. Through a connection with an employee named Greg at Recreational Equipment Inc., she discovered the Freeloader, a carrier tailored for taller children like Maggie.
After securing Maggie’s approval, Wardenaar purchased the $300 product, allowing the outdoor adventure to proceed. From May 30 to June 1, approximately 50 fourth-grade students and 10 school personnel embarked on the camping trip.
Wardenaar recounted the experience, emphasizing the shared moments with nature. “We saw birds, frogs, and deer. We were able to do everything her peers were doing; she was one of us.” Carrying Maggie through challenging terrain was no small feat, but Wardenaar found inspiration in Maggie’s resilience and the joy she experienced being with her peers.
Maggie’s mother, Michelle Vazquez, expressed admiration for Wardenaar’s unwavering support, acknowledging her advocacy for Maggie since the first grade. Vazquez praised Wardenaar for going “way above and beyond” during the recent camping trip, providing opportunities that Maggie, due to her challenges, wouldn’t typically have. Being out in nature proved to be an amazing and unique experience for Maggie.
Sarah Elizabeth Ippel, the executive director at AGC, echoed Vazquez’s sentiments, praising Ms. Helma as the “epitome of relentless determination” and someone who consistently goes the extra mile to ensure her students receive the right support.
Wardenaar’s exceptional efforts serve as a testament to the impact dedicated educators can have on the lives of their students. In this instance, it highlights the importance of inclusivity and the lengths to which teachers like Ms. Helma are willing to go to create meaningful and memorable experiences for their students.
Jennifer Lopez is celebrating a special anniversary. The Hollywood star, who is rumored to be having marriage struggles with her husband Ben Affleck, spent the 4th of July weekend with her friends in The Hamptons, and while many think the actor’s absence means the pair are close to parting ways, JLo seems to have shut down the rumors by wearing her stunning diamond ring.
This time Jennifer took to social media to celebrate the anniversary of her song and music video ‘Cambia El Paso.’ The empowering track and lyrics allude to the independence of the singer, with fans of the star speculating if this is a message for Ben, amid the ongoing rumors.
“She lives life like a tango / But now she wants fire between her lips’ / He doesn’t deserve to have her in hers’ arms / She knows it, she knows it,” the lyrics of the song read. “Now it’s her turn / Take the bottle / And go out and have fun.”
“Her life is better now without him / She knows that her hips don’t fail her,” the track continues. “Yes mama!!!! Cambia El Paso and keep it moving,” one fan commented, while someone else wrote, “Change the path!!! Just keep pushing through and make that change.”Jennifer and Ben have yet to comment on the current status of their relationship, and despite the rumors the pair have been spotted together in recent days, after JLo’s trip to Italy and Paris, where she was spotted having some time to relax before attending Haute Couture Week.
Fifteen years after his split from Katie Holmes, Tom Cruise, 61, has reportedly found love again with Elsina Khayrova, a 36-year-old Russian socialite.
This marks a significant new chapter in Cruise’s personal life, as he has remained largely single since his divorce.
Cruise and Khayrova’s relationship became public after they were spotted closely together at a London event last year, sparking rumors that have now culminated in confirmation of their romance.
Khayrova, who also holds British citizenship and is a former model, recently divorced Russian business tycoon Dmitry Tsvetkov.
She is known for her luxurious lifestyle and taste for the finer things, a trait acknowledged by her ex-husband in his well-wishes for her new relationship with Cruise. The couple has been cautious about their privacy, avoiding public photographs and maintaining discretion about their personal affairs.
Mara Wilson had her doubts about being a child star.
The “Mrs. Doubtfire” breakout actress, who went on to cement her status as a ’90s icon in “Matilda” and “Miracle on 34th Street,” opened up about the “sexualized” pressures of growing up in the spotlight.
“I don’t think you can be a child star without there being some kind of lasting damage,” Wilson told The Guardian while promoting memoir “Good Girls Don’t,” adding, “People don’t realize how much constantly talking to the press as a child weighs on you.”
Wilson began her career at age six. By seven years old, Wilson’s fame “kind of snowballed” and she began being asked by journalists if she knew what French kissing was or could pick out which fellow actor she found “sexiest.”
“I had people sending me inappropriate letters and posting things about me online,” Wilson continued, citing that her photograph was posted on pornography websites superimposed onto adult women’s bodies. “I made the mistake of Googling myself when I was 12 and saw things that I couldn’t unsee.”
She added, “The thing that people assume is that Hollywood is inherently corrupt, and there’s something about being on film sets that destroys you. For me, that was not necessarily true. I always felt safe on film sets. There were definitely some sketchy, questionable things that happened at times – adults that told dirty jokes, or sexually harassed people in front of me. People who did things like ask me if it was OK if I worked overtime, instead of asking my parents, but I never felt unsafe. I think that’s because I worked with a lot of really wonderful directors, who were used to working with children.”
It was when Wilson hit puberty that Hollywood seemed to turn on her. By age 12, Wilson was asked by a director to wear a sports bra to hide her developing breasts; Wilson believed she was no longer “cute” and that the film industry was “kind of done” with her.
“It affected me for a very long time because I had this Hollywood idea that if you’re not cute any more, if you’re not beautiful, then you are worthless. Because I directly tied that to the demise of my career,” Wilson said. “Even though I was sort of burned out on it, and Hollywood was burned out on me, it still doesn’t feel good to be rejected. For a long time, I had this kind of dysmorphia about the way that I looked and I obsessed about it too much.”
One of Wilson’s final auditions led to Kristen Stewart being cast in a role, only fueling Wilson’s self-doubt further.
“You think, ‘I’m ugly, I’m fat’ – and there were actual websites and newspapers and movie reviewers saying that about me,” Wilson recalled. “It got to the point where I became much more guarded, more anxious and depressed and cynical, and when you’re like that, it’s very hard to land a role, because in an audition, you have to be open and honest. It took a toll on me.”
Wilson previously opened up about being fetishized by fans and admitting that she “felt sick” and “furious” seeing current child stars like “Stranger Things” actress Millie Bobby Brown endure similar abuse online.
“What’s really at play here is the creepy, inappropriate public inclination to sexualize young girls in the media,” Wilson wrote in 2017, when Brown was 13 years old. “I am not a child anymore. Millie Bobby Brown is. Commenting on a child’s body, whether in a ‘positive’ or ‘negative’ way, in a sexualizing or pitying way, is still commenting on a child’s body.”
Susan Boyle captured the hearts of music lovers around the world when she first appeared on the third season of “Britain’s Got Talent” over a decade ago.
The video of her first audition when she stood in front of Simon Cowell, shy and unassuming and then blew everyone away with her rendition of “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Misérables has been watched by millions.
She gained fame, as well as earned millions of dollars through album sales. However, her journey hasn’t all been sunshine and roses, and the singer’s love life has long been the subject of rumors and speculation.
So, did Susan Boyle ever marry? Does she have a partner? And where is she living now?
It’s quite natural to stop and look in the rearview mirror as you grow older – and Susan Boyle can certainly look back on a remarkable life.
In 2008, the unemployed charity worker lived alone with her cat, Pebbles, and wanted to see if she could make it in show business. After performing I Dreamed a Dream from Les Misérables in front of Simon Cowell and the rest of Britain’s Got Talent judges, the 47-year-old became a star overnight.
The crazy underdog audition gained her instant recognition across the world. Even today, her journey is inspiring to millions.
“I used to be a kind of spectator looking outward at the world. But now I’m part of that world and, though frightening, I’m going to embrace it,” Boyle said after her breakthrough.
In her first year as a superstar, she made $6.8 million.
Her success continued and after the release of her second studio album, she became the third artist to top the charts in the UK and the US twice in the same year.
Overnight this unassuming and shy then 47-year-old from Scotland became an international superstar and a millionaire.
Even though her career took her around the globe and made her a multi-millionaire, Susan Boyle has always remained honest, down-to-earth, and genuinely caring.
Unlike many other celebrities, she has never flashed her cash; the humble singer still lives in her childhood home in Blackburn, Scotland.
She purchased the modest house in 2010.
”It’s best to be grounded and with your roots. It keeps you grounded and prevents you from saying things maybe you shouldn’t say,” she told OK!.
Susan Boyle was born on April 1, 1961. Her parents – Patrick Boyle, a miner, WWII veteran, and singer, and Bridget, a shorthand typist – were both immigrants from County Donegal, Ireland. Boyle grew up as the youngest of four brothers and six sisters.
The family lived in a council house in West Lothian, Scotland. Still to this day, Susan lives in that house.
She could have done anything, gone anywhere, bought a mansion in Beverly Hills, but instead, she returned to her childhood home, a four-bedroom ex-council house in Blackburn, Scotland, bought it, and turned it into the home of her dreams.
In a tour of her newly decorated abode, which she’s called home for 60 years now, she reveals her stunning new piano room which is the first thing you see when you enter her home.
She joked about her piano room as she said she’d only just started having lessons.
“That’s a giggle for a start because I can’t even do scales,” she joked.
The newly renovated kitchen used to be small and sparse with a table in the center near the oven which she said made it hazardous, but the renovation gives her a lot more space and many updates. It even has a framed photo of Susan meeting Pope Francis.
Her living room is bright and homey and full of pictures of her family. Susan is the youngest child of 7 brothers and sisters so originally her house occupied 9 people. It must feel a lot roomier now.
As you move through the home, you see her career documented in various framed awards and accolades along with many cute animal ornaments, a testament to her gentle nature and down-to-earth personality.
Upstairs Susan shows us what used to be the room she once shared with her two sisters which then became hers after her sisters left home. She recalls the record player that used to sit in the corner and how she was a huge fan of The Osmonds.
Her father died in the 1990s by which time her brothers and sisters had all left home. Susan stayed at home and cared for her elderly mother until her death in 2007 so the household’s precious memories for the superstar.
“Some people seem surprised that I choose to stay in my family home. Why shouldn’t I? I feel Mum is still here and there are so many good memories … I’ve spent most of my life in this house and I won’t move now, because I feel it’s part of my new history,” she said.
Susan has always been open about the fact that she wants to meet the love of her life and find a long-term partner. That person will of course move into her house – because Susan is not leaving.
While SuBo is patiently waiting to meet ”Mr Right”, there is something else that has been bothering her for a while. Susan has always wanted to be a mother and have children of her own.
”I’ve never had any of my own, that’s my biggest regret, but I love kids. They’re good fun to be with,” she told The Sun.
As a 60-year-old woman, time is not exactly on her side. But Susan has opened up on perhaps adopting or becoming a foster parent for children who need a safe and loving home.
“I’ve a lovely house, why not share it?” she said.
Susan’s home reminds us all that despite her overnight stardom she’s still an everyday person who chooses to live the quiet life in the only home she’s ever known.
Tori Spelling is someone who has been familiar with media scrutiny for a long time. The actress and reality television star has had a tough time recently with her divorce and other unfortunate circumstances.
Tori Spelling has faced numerous challenges lately. This year, she and her husband, Dean McDermott, split up. The couple, who married in 2006, announced their separation earlier this year. McDermott took to Instagram to make a statement.
He wrote, “It’s with great sadness and a very very heavy heart that after 18 years together and 5 amazing children, that @torispelling and I have decided to go our separate ways, and start a new journey of our own,” and continued,
“We will continue to work together as loving parents and guide and love our children through this difficult time. We ask that you all respect our privacy as we take this time to surround our family with love and work our way through this.”
While he deleted the post soon after, tensions between the couple were said to have remained. After 17 years of marriage and 18 years together, the couple decided to part ways and co-parent amicably.
Following her split, the actress had to leave their rental home because of a mold infestation. Subsequently, the Scream 2 actress and her five children spent time in an RV.
After their stint in the RV, the family found another rental. However, they were forced to evacuate it earlier this week. In mid-October, Spelling and her five children—Liam, Stella, Hattie, Finn, and Beau—were forcefully evacuated from their rental home by a SWAT team. The officials were called in to deal with an armed gunman near their home, resulting in a SWAT standoff.
All this moving around has caused significant uncertainty in their lives. A source close to the family said, “She’s trying to find her footing and doing her best to take care of her kids.” They also mentioned that the actress had a recent hospital stay and had to deal with her separation and their housing situation.
“She’s not used to moving around for months and months on end. Being forced out of her rental was scary for her and her children,” the source added.
The source also shared how the children were affected. They said, “Her kids are at an age where they can kind of understand what’s going on,” adding, “Their friends from school do too and ask them about their current situation.”
If you found this interesting, check the piece below about Tori Spelling being forced to live in an RV with her five children.
Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott decided to call it quits after 17 years of marriage – this was the last straw. All in all, it seems like Tori Spelling and her children have had a hard time in recent days. We are sending them our best during these trying times. Share this with others so they can send Tori and her kids their well wishes too!
Once, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie were Hollywood’s hottest couple, shining brighter than anyone else. But their relationship fell apart, and now, any news about them usually focuses on their messy divorce and legal battles.
Recently, a new court filing revealed that Brad Pitt’s alleged physical abuse of Angelina Jolie started before the famous 2016 plane incident.The two stars have been fighting in court over a French winery they bought together. Their once strong bond is now broken and on display for everyone to see.In 2022, Pitt sued Jolie and her former company, Nouvel, for selling her half of the winery. Pitt claimed they had agreed not to sell their shares without the other’s approval, and said Jolie’s actions hurt the business he worked hard to build.Jolie responded by accusing Pitt of becoming abusive during a plane ride from France to California in 2016. She said he grabbed her by the head and was also physically abusive to two of their children.
A few days after the plane incident, Jolie filed for divorce, and their separation was finalized in 2019. Pitt has denied the abuse accusations, and while federal authorities investigated, no criminal charges were filed.Recently, Jolie’s legal team submitted new documents to the Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday, April 4. These papers suggest that Brad Pitt’s physical abuse started earlier than previously thought.CNN obtained a copy of the motion, which states: “While Pitt’s history of physical abuse of Jolie started well before the family’s September 2016 plane trip from France to Los Angeles, this flight marked the first time he turned his physical abuse on the children as well. Jolie then immediately left him.”The papers don’t go into more detail about the alleged abuse but state that Jolie plans to show evidence like testimony, emails, and photos to prove why Pitt was worried about his own behavior. She claims this is why he backed out of the deal to buy her share of their winery, Miraval, because she wouldn’t agree to his new, broad non-disclosure agreement (NDA).It’s also said that Jolie offered to sell her half of the French winery to Pitt, but he would only agree if she signed an NDA. This NDA would have stopped Jolie from talking about Pitt’s abuse of her and their children, except in court, by linking Pitt’s personal reputation to the winery’s business.Pitt’s team have yet to respond to Jolie’s filing alleging abuse earlier than the plane ride from France to LA, but PEOPLE quote a source close to the actor as having said: “This is a pattern of behavior – whenever there is a decision that goes against the other side they consistently choose to introduce misleading, inaccurate and/or irrelevant information as a distraction.“There was a lengthy custody trial that involved the entire history of their relationship and a judge who heard all the evidence still granted him 50/50 custody.”
Her father couldn’t read but still supported her and her family.She stays humble and annually donates millions of dollars.Even though she has amassed massive fame and fortune, Dolly Parton has remained humble amid her stellar career as a musician, businesswoman, and philanthropist. It’s no surprise that success has followed her along the way.As someone who grew up in a large family, Parton understands the struggles of poverty. She is now a highly-influential Hollywood star, and despite her accomplishments, she has never forgotten her humble beginnings.
Dolly Parton poses for a portrait in 1955 in Nashville, Tennessee. | Source: Getty ImagesThe music superstar, whose real name is Dolly Rebecca Parton, was welcomed by her parents on January 19, 1946, in Sevierville, Tennessee, on Locust Ridge. She was born in a one-bedroom cabin and had 11 siblings.Robert Lee Parton, her father, was a sharecropper who couldn’t read or write due to a lack of access to education, and he supplemented his income by working in construction.Growing up, the country legend, raised by a musically-oriented family, was constantly surrounded by music. Despite their difficult living circumstances, they found joy and connected through singing.
Dolly Parton poses for a portrait in 1965 in Nashville, Tennessee. | Source: Getty ImagesParton’s mother, Avie Lee Owens, a performer, taught her daughter how to sing. She played different music for her, like church songs and Elizabethan ballads that had been in her family for generations.Meanwhile, Parton’s grandfather, Jake Robert Owens, was a minister and the composer of the hymn “Singing His Praise.” Several of Parton’s siblings became interested in music, and some worked in her family band.Parton also had an uncle named Sam Owens, a musician and singer-songwriter in his own right. Her uncle loved music and was the first person to notice that she had the potential to become a famous musician when she was a child.
Parton’s siblings include Stella Mae, Cassie Nan, twins Freida Estelle and Rachel Ann, Willadeene, David Wilburn, Coy Denver, Bobby Lee, Robert, and Larry. Robert died in 2021 after a battle with cancer, while Larry died as a newborn.As the fourth among 12 siblings, Parton frequently helped her parents care for the younger children. She lived with her family under one little roof.
At the time, their log cabin only had one bedroom and one living room, and there was no running water or electricity. The property still stands to this day.Parton has always been open about discussing her humble beginnings or how this influenced her views on life. She came from a large family with limited resources, so she is familiar with the challenges of being poor.
Dolly Parton beams in a publicity photo for her 1984 film “Rhinestone.” | Source: Getty ImagesIn an interview with The Guardian in 2016, Parton reminisced about her childhood in the mountains of rural Tennessee, focusing on the early memories that brought her the most joy. She said:“Of course, not everything was perfect, but I prefer to remember the best of times.”She remembered the days spent with her siblings, singing at church, and completing chores she wasn’t particularly fond of. She also reminisced about the tons of laughter she shared with her family.
Parton shared how her brothers and sisters would constantly sing and she would always try to get them to be her backup singers when she tried to pretend to be the lead singer on stage, but they were completely disinterested.Their little house, Parton recalled, was always packed with her siblings, leading to a lot of teasing and bickering. However, despite the chaos, they always stuck together as a family.She added that they spent most of the time outside because the cabin was too small for them to hang out comfortably. The space outside served as an extension for sharing meals, entertainment, and playing games.
Parton said her family was always grateful to have food and a roof over their heads. It was not exactly what they wanted, but her parents always emphasized that there were other families who suffered more than they did. She recalled:“We were poor but I never felt poor.”Despite her family’s modest beginnings, Parton’s passion and musical talent would eventually lead her to become one of the most successful and beloved country music performers of all time.
CHILDHOOD IN POVERTY
Despite having fond memories of her childhood, Parton shared growing up in poverty meant living in tough conditions too. She practically lived in a shack with her family of 14 and had limited access to basic necessities.
In a Playboy magazine interview with journalist Lawrence Grobel in March 1978, she shared that she was only eight years old when she first saw a toilet and bathroom in her aunt’s home and was fascinated by them.Laughing at how innocent and ignorant they were then, Parton shared that she and her siblings were afraid to use the toilet, thinking it would suck them in. “It was just really weird,” she recalled.Bathing every day was not a luxury for Parton and her family. They would often make their own soap, and on occasion, they would pile into the truck and drive to the river to wash in its waters.There was a creek nearby, but the river was their preferred bathing spot, as it was like a “big bath” for all of them. They would swim together and wash each other’s hair while their homemade soap flowed down the river.
Telling a joke about how dirty they were back then, Parton said it would have left a ring around the Little Pigeon River, likening their river bath to a “bathtub.” Bathing in the river was a summertime ritual for them.During the winter, the entire family would have a pan of water to wash with as much as possible. When Grobel asked how many times she and her family would bathe in the winter season, Parton replied:“Well, we bathed once a week whether we needed it or not, as the saying goes.”
Bathing became more important to Parton when she reached high school. She would take a bath every night due to the unhygienic behaviors of her younger siblings during bedtime. She revealed:“The kids peed on me every night. We slept three and four in the bed. I would wash every night. And as soon as I go to bed, the kids would wet on me, and I’d have to get up in the morning and do the same thing.”
Dolly Parton attends the We Are Family Foundation event at Hammerstein Ballroom on November 5, 2019, in New York City. | Source: Getty ImagesUnafraid to share her thoughts about it, Parton explained that even though getting peed on might sound unsanitary to some, the urine was a good source of warmth in the winter.Living in the mountains, she recalled how cold it would get at home and even said it was almost a pleasure to be peed on because the room was as chilly as the outside. She said they would all bundle up in bed.
GIVING AWAY MILLIONS
Despite their poverty, Parton has described her family as happy and rich in other ways. Growing up made her modest, and after she earned millions, she never stopped taking care of people in need, much like her family in her childhood. She remarked:“My family will always be my greatest love. Sometimes it gets lost in the shuffle, but there’s an element of family in everything I do.”Parton said her family inspired her music and her theme park, Dollywood and Dixie Stampede—one of the shows in the park— are intended to enable families to spend time together and enjoy themselves.In 2022, Forbes estimated Parton’s net worth at $375 million, making her a self-made millionaire. Her financial success stemmed mainly from her music publishing ownership rights and her theme park.She controls over 3,000 songs, including the highly acclaimed track “I Will Always Love You,” which she refused to share with Elvis Presley in the 1970s. This decision proved profitable when Whitney Houston covered the song in the 1990s.Parton also receives a publishing fee for her songs when used in movies, broadcasted, or sold. Forbes estimated that her songs are worth $150 million and that she has earned $6 million to $8 million in royalties.However, the music icon’s massive wealth comes from her famous theme park, Dollywood, one of Tennessee’s biggest tourist attractions. It reportedly brings in $3 million a year.The country singer invested in the theme park in 1968, when it was still called Pigeon Forge. She later renamed it “Dollywood,” a play on the word “Hollywood.” The park includes a hotel and a water park.Parton also recently launched a new company called Doggy Parton, which is a play on her famous name. Her love of animals inspired the company, which produces dog toys and clothing lines.Parton’s childhood experiences taught her that sharing her success with others is important. In addition to being a musician and businesswoman, she is active in several charitable and social causes and has donated millions to those in need.In 2016, Parton joined forces with a group of musicians to raise $13 million for the recovery efforts of survivors of the East Tennessee wildfires, which hit the state’s Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.Other renowned artists, such as Chris Stapelton, Kenny Rogers, Lauren Alaina, Alison Krauss, Reba McEntire, Cyndi Lauper, and Chris Young, played at the “Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the My People Fund” concert.In 2017, Parton gave a $1 million gift to the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville after her niece received leukemia treatment from them.In addition to providing financial assistance to those affected by natural disasters, Parton made a significant contribution to the healthcare sector by generously donating a substantial amount of money.She made headlines in 2020 when she donated $1 million to vaccine research during the COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted people worldwide. Her contribution helped in the creation of the Moderna vaccine.Parton is also known for her lifelong dedication to promoting early childhood literacy. Through her non-profit program, Imagination Library, she sends free books to over one million children every month.Inspired by her father’s own experience with illiteracy, in 1995, Parton and Robert Lee founded a non-profit organization to help children learn to read and write. It started in eastern Tennessee, but it has grown and now helps kids in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.The literacy program has reached other countries as well, such as Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. In 2018, Parton revealed at the Library of Congress that the program had given out its 100 millionth book.Parton never imagined her campaign would be that successful, only wanting to help her father and her hometown when it started. “But then it just took its own wings, and I guess it was meant to be,” she cheerfully shared.Parton was also happy that her father took great pride in making a meaningful contribution toward something worthwhile. He was able to see the fruits of their labor before passing away in 2000.Furthermore, her aspirations for the Imagination Library are ambitious. She admitted that she has big dreams and wants to give away a total of a billion books within her lifetime.
Even though Parton had a tough childhood, she never forgot how important family and community are. She used her success to give back, donating millions of dollars annually to various charitable causes, including education, health, and disaster relief.Her humble beginnings taught her the value of hard work, determination, and the power of music to bring people together. And as she looks back on her life, she remembers the joy, laughter, and love that filled her childhood home and the family who supported her every step of the way.
