Wherever you stand on the issue of abortion there’s no denying that choosing to terminate a pregnancy is a difficult decision most women wish they didn’t have to face. And, although there’s been a steady decline in abortions since 1980, 4 out of 10 unplanned pregnancies are terminated each year.
The following celebrities fall somewhere within that statistic and each one share openly their painful and, in some cases, horrific experience.
Photo Credit: Lloyd Bishop/NBC
1. Chelsea Handler – The outspoken comedienne had an abortion at the age of 16, at the urging of her parents. She says that she has no regrets about her decision because she didn’t think she’d be a good mother.
2. Toni Braxton – The soulful singer revealed that she had an abortion in 2001, and recounts the painful journey in her memoir “Unbreak my Heart.” Because of Braxton’s overwhelming guilt she once thought God was punishing her by giving her youngest son, Diezel, autism. She told US Weekly magazine, “I have since realized that my son is special and learns in a different way.”
3. Sherri Shepherd – The actress and TV personality has been very vocal about her “many” abortions, and shared that she’s felt guilt and shame over it. Before she became a Christian, she’s admitted to living a promiscuous lifestyle in her twenties and having, “more abortions than she would like to count.”
4. Sharon Osbourne – The talk show host had an abortion at 17 and 3 miscarriages afterwards, due to a damaged cervix. She said having the abortion was the worst thing that she ever had to do, but her mother pushed her into having it.
5. Penny Marshall – When the Laverne and Shirley actress was in her 40’s she got pregnant. In an extensive interview with Fox 411 she said, “I had a kid already, my womb wasn’t crying out. I talked to my brother (Garry Marshall). We made the pros and cons… It was more ‘do I want this other person in my life, for the rest of my life?’
6. Alice Walker – In the 1960’s, the Color Purple author learned that she was pregnant after her junior year at Sarah Lawrence College. She was frightened and didn’t know how to tell her parents, and even contemplated suicide. She had an abortion, and admitted to suffering from anxiety and depression afterwards.
7. Vanessa Williams – In an interview with ABC’s Nightline, and with her mother by her side, the actress and former, Miss America, revealed to the world that she had an abortion as a teenager. She also admits to being a highly sexualized teen, due to being molested as a child.
8. Whoopi Goldberg – It’s been reported that The View co-host had six abortions. Goldberg admits that at least one of the abortions was self-inflicted when at 14 she used a coat hanger to terminate her pregnancy.
9. Joan Collins – When the actress was dating Warren Beatty, she became pregnant. She states that he convinced her to have an abortion and she has no regrets.
10. Shelley Winters – The Oscar-winning actress admitted to having two abortions, and before her death she was quoted as saying, “I am a very lonely woman. I would give everything – my money, my Academy Awards, my career – if only I could have those children now.”
11. Sinead O’ Connor – At the height of her career in 1990, the controversial singer had an abortion. She confesses to being happy with the pregnancy, but she and the father of the child didn’t work out so she decided to terminate the pregnancy. She said it took a year for her to get past it.
12. Mackenzie Philips – The former, One Day at a Time, star sadly revealed that she was sexually abused by her father, John Phillips, for ten years. When she became pregnant and didn’t know if the unborn child was fathered by her dad or her then-husband, Shane Fontayne, she decided to terminate the pregnancy.
13. Rozonda “Chili” Thomas – The TLC singer confessed to having an abortion before she became famous. She said that it was the most painful decision she ever had to make, because she really wanted her baby.
14. Susan Sarandon – Susan Sarandon admitted to having an abortion in her early twenties. “I had an abortion in my 20s. My first [and only] marriage was falling apart. I had an affair with an insane guy and I knew having a kid with him wasn’t the right thing …” she told The Guardian in 2006.
15. Stevie Nicks – In 1992, the Fleetwood Mac singer shared with VOX magazine that she had four abortions, with four different lovers. She’s said that the men, including singer Don Henley, couldn’t handle her decision. Later she says, “To give up four babies is to give up a lot that would be here now. So that bothers me, a lot, and really breaks my heart…”
Related: 10 Celebrities Who Were Conceived By Rape or Bore a Child Out of Rape
16. Billie Jean King – Tennis legend, Billie Jean King spoke about an abortion she had before her career took off, admitting to not being in a good place in her life to have a child, so in 1971, she privately had an abortion
17. Nikki Minaj – In a 2014 interview with Rolling Stone, Nikki Minaj talked about being pregnant as a teen, saying she thought she “was going to die” when she found out she was pregnant. The rapper had an abortion and said, “It was the hardest thing I’d ever gone through, …[It’s] haunted me all my life. 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.”
18. Amber Tamblyn – Actress Amber Tamblyn shared her abortion story on Twitter. “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.”
19. Tess Holiday – Model, Tess Holiday said she was married with 2 kids and had an abortion. “My mental health couldn’t handle being pregnant again & I made the best decision for ME & ultimately my family…” she revealed.
20. Suzanne Somers – In 1968, actress Suzanne Somers became pregnant in 1968 by a married man, Alan Hamel. The two decided she should get an illegal abortion, which Somers almost bled to death from. Ironically, she and Hamel ended up getting married and have been together ever since.
21. Minka Kelly – Minka Kelly shared in an Instagram post about her past abortion, “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.”
22. Busy Philipps – On her former late night talk show Busy Tonight, Busy Philipps spoke about her experience having an abortion when she was a teen. “I had an abortion when I was 15 years old and I’m telling you this because I’m genuinely really scared for women and girls all over the country.”
23. Tami Roman – Tami Roman had the first televised abortion experience when she was starring on MTV’S, The Real World. The reality star wanted to share her story with the world. “My thought process when I did it was to show young girls what happens when you don’t handle your life responsibly. Here I am forced to make a decision at 23 that I shouldn’t have to make because I didn’t do the right thing. I didn’t handle having safe sex…”
24. Milla Jovovich – Milla Jovovich had an “emergency” abortion in 2017 according to her Instagram post. “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.”
25. Jameela Jamil – Jameela Jamil shared her story on Twitter, telling her followers, “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. So many lives ruined. So very cruel.”
26. Jemima Kirke – Girls actress Jemima Kirke had an abortion in 2007 after a surprise pregnancy. “My life was not conducive to raising a healthy, happy child,” she said in a public service announcement for the Center for Reproductive Rights. “I just didn’t feel it was fair.”
27. Rose McGowan – Rose McGowan also revealed her abortion story to her Twitter followers. “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…”
28. Linsey Godfrey – The Bold and the Beautiful actress Linsey Godfrey was another celebrity to reveal their abortion journey on Twitter. “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.”
29. KeKe Palmer – In a since deleted Twitter post, KeKe Palmer said she got an abortion because it was not a good time in her life to raise a child. “I was worried about my career responsibilities and afraid that I could not exist as both a career woman and mother,” she originally tweeted.
30. Ali MacGraw – In her early 20’s, actress Ali MacGraw underwent an illegal abortion in New York. “In my early 20s, however, I simply wasn’t ready emotionally or financially for the kind of responsibility that good parenting involves.”
31. Laura Prepon – Laura Prepon revealed that she and husband Ben Foster terminated their second pregnancy, a year after welcoming their daughter Ella, after discovering the baby was not developing normally, and carrying further would have put the Orange Is the New Black star at risk.
32. Alyssa Milano – In an episode of her podcast, Alyssa Milano: Sorry Not Sorry, the actress said she had two abortions in 1993. “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.”
33. Naya Rivera – Late Glee actress Naya Rivera wrote about her abortion in her 2016 memoir, Sorry Not Sorry: Dreams, Mistakes, and Growing Up. “I knew that in sharing my story, I would be judged for the decision I made. But I wanted to let other women facing the same difficult decision know that they weren’t alone.”
Wow! I had no idea these celebrities had abortions. I love the non-judge mental way you wrote about this. Good job!
Hi Diana, thank you for your thoughtful comments.
This is very sad to read that so many of them had abortions while they were young. I’m pro-choice, but its sad that some of these women were made to end their pregnancies or felt they didn’t have another option.
Hi Sonya, very sad indeed. Hopefully these stories will help or encourage other women out there. Thanks for stopping by.
There’s so much sorrow expressed by these famous women who made the choice to end their pregnancies. You handled this explosive topic with great delicacy and honesty. I appreciate your sincerity. Thank you for your post!
Stevie Nicks……was very forthright on admitting to her 4 abortions…and her regret….as…she remembers of what could have been…………(Abortion….never solves….it just…kills and injures….)
Did she ever think of birth control. A smart woman in every other way but to be left alone thinking what could have been had she not been so cold & irresponsible is a disgrace. I will never listen to her music again. No she is not the beauty people say she is an empty shell. One is bad enough but 4?
She once said that her music could not have been bestowed on the world had she not aborted her children. Did we need her music so badly that four children in the womb needed to die?
I have 2 children , a boy and a girl. Grown up. 2 miscarriages and 3 very sad abortions all at 11 weeks. On all occasions I was abandoned by the father who bullied and coerced me into having the abortion. I had no support from family or friends who pushed it under the carpet. The first time was difficult due to being a single mum of one child , a job and a mortgage , the second and 3rd I was so I’ll that I was struggling to care for my 2 children whom were of junior and senior age. On the first I turned back the first time, my dad came with me the second and on the third I turned back the first time, only to get home feeling unwell and bullied. To this day I am sad for the little life that was destroyed in a turmoil of grief. I am heart broken every day and I wish I could turn back the clock
The first man walked away and the second man ended up having a baby some years down the line and it was all thrown ony face. I have learnt that you should follow your heart and don’t let others bully you into decisions you don’t want to make under duress! I remember the day as for me that is only day to remember. I buy tiny ornaments , light a candle. A special day.
Abortion takes away the life of a tiny baby who only has their mother to give them life. It is their body too! What harm does it do to let them live!!!!!!
I believe that some men should be put on trial for coercive behaviour to take the life of an unborn child. My question is WHY???
This is the real legacy of Roe v. Wade….men using women for sex and feeling no obligation if she gets pregnant. They casually tell her to abort, or coerce her to abort because it became legal. We had no leg to stand on if we wanted to keep the child. How is this freedom for women?
I do NOT like how some of the women, it seems by their comments, were very selfish. “Do I want this other person in my life for the rest of my life”. What kind of thing is that to say? Selfish! And I also got a feeling, from reading some of the women’s comments, that life can be disposable if you want it to be. It really makes me mad when it comes to multiple abortions. If you felt so awful when had the first one, then why did you have more? Because that life inside would inconvenience you? This is just deplorable. Selfish. It makes me very sad.
I absolutely agree with you 100%
I agree also! Why would you not take any preventative measures AFTER the first abortion or second abortion?! That’s so irresponsible and stupid. I’m sorry , but These women are trifeling to have multiple abortions. And I don’t support it.
Agreed. And I know one of these ladies very well, and love her dearly. But abortion is a national disgrace and makes whores and emotional basket cases out of our women.
Sadly some just using as a form of birth control… mostly it can tear you apart… most of these woman you could see it in their words, regret and .pain ….
They want to have their cake and eat it too because they think that’s what men have…but men only have that if you give it to them, and they suffer no consequences either way. The sexual revolution sold women a bill of goods. They are selfish on a level unseen in history.
I don’t believe in abortion no matter what. That circumstance is the baby didn’t asked to be here
Don’t kill your flesh n blood!!
Please
Don’t kill your flesh n blood!!
Please
I had survivors guilt after I did it
35 yrs ago
I’m so sorry I did it
For any of you suffering from having had an abortion, there is help. Many pregnancy centers offer free counseling and support to help you heal. Rachel’s Vineyard is another option that offers retreats that guide woman through their pain and help them find peace.
You just don’t kill babies, but Whoopie did—she killed seven babies. It’s no wonder she’s always angry. She’s a foul mouthed, ugly troll and she deserves no respect!
She hates herself
I so agree with you. Whoopie is so hateful and loudmouth and doesn’t deserve the platform to speak on that pointless one sided show.
With all the problems she has nowadays her sun is soon to set. We all make mistakes since only GOD is perfect but four, six, eight abortions shows no remorse sounds like an abortion fetish to me. I’m glad I’m not a woman. I feel sorry for women who’s honestly can’t afford babies, use BC then still get pregnant-a very tough call. My Mom + GOD bless her soul + never married when she had all four of us. She never got abortions. 70+ years later here are the results: One of us became a well published writer, educator and visual artist. Another one of us became a trial lawyer, another a computer store owner and manager and sadly one died in infancy. If Mom would have abortions the world would be a sadder place.
I agree with you and no wonder she is so miserable!
Well those poor little souls are better of in Heaven than having
this Cold Hearted Woman for a Mother.
She will meet her maker one day and pay the price!
God designed sex for transmitting life . It’s both amazing and tragic to see people believe they can ignore Him and His Laws and Designs . Does not compute.. Never will no matter how much we want it to be otherwise and how smart and progressive we think we are.
I’m surprised Whoopie found someone to bed her!! See there’s hope for anyone!!! No
wonder she is so mean and evil!! She lives with guilt!! One is enough for anyone but _3_4_5_6_7 give me a break!!! Sure hate to be in her shoes when she meets God at the end of her life!!!
Doris I totally agree with you. GOD don’t take kindly to people killing off His/Her creation. Pray for her and all of us since we’re all in the same boat.
I am a nurse that does prenatal ultrasounds. You can see the babies heart beating at 6 weeks. At 12 weeks a baby is paying like on a trampoline in its mothers womb. I love all babies born & unborn..
I have 2 children , a boy and a girl. Grown up. 2 miscarriages and 3 very sad abortions all at 11 weeks. On all occasions I was abandoned by the father who bullied and coerced me into having the abortion. I had no support from family or friends who pushed it under the carpet. The first time was difficult due to being a single mum of one child , a job and a mortgage , the second and 3rd I was so I’ll that I was struggling to care for my 2 children whom were of junior and senior age. On the first I turned back the first time, my dad came with me the second and on the third I turned back the first time, only to get home feeling unwell and bullied. To this day I am sad for the little life that was destroyed in a turmoil of grief. I am heart broken every day and I wish I could turn back the clock
The first man walked away and the second man ended up having a baby some years down the line and it was all thrown ony face. I have learnt that you should follow your heart and don’t let others bully you into decisions you don’t want to make under duress! I remember the day as for me that is only day to remember. I buy tiny ornaments , light a candle. A special day.
Abortion takes away the life of a tiny baby who only has their mother to give them life. It is their body too! What harm does it do to let them live!!!!!!
I believe that some men should be put on trial for coercive behaviour to take the life of an unborn child. My question is WHY???
Karen you did wrong, you repented, asked GOD for forgiveness, GOD has forgiven you so GET ON WITH YOUR LIFE. If you face GOD right now He/She wouldn’t even remember what you did. GOD forgives and FORGETS repented sin. Enjoy yourself and act as though you never get any abortions. GOD isn’t vengeful. I wish you peace and all things good.
I too had three abortions and wish I could turn back the clock. I hope there is forgiveness for me and the fathers.
Carol none of us can ever turn back the hands of time. My advice: Ask GOD’S forgiveness, no more abortions then FORGET YOU EVER HAD THEM. GOD forgives and forgets our sins. I wish you peace and all things good now go out and enjoy yourself, okay?
Fred, thank you for being nice instead of hateful to a woman in pain.