Tatum O’Neal Nearly Dead: 6-Week Coma, Scary Overdose

ByAllie Johnson
Tatum O'Neal Youtube

Actress Tatum O’Neal opened up recently about being nearly dead after a scary overdose landed her in the hospital in a coma for six weeks. Praised as the youngest actress to ever win a competitive Academy Award, Tatum sat down with People Magazine and admitted she nearly died during the height of the pandemic. What happened exactly? Keep reading for the details of what she shared during this exclusive interview.

Did you know Tatum O’Neal nearly died during the height of the pandemic? What do you think made her come forward to share the details of this story?

Tatum O’Neal Nearly Dead: 6-Week Coma, Scary Overdose

During the COVID-19 lockdown of 2020, Tatum O’Neal wrestled with her mental health. In addition to drowning in loneliness, she was also battling aches and pains related to rheumatoid arthritis. Tragically, the pain and loneliness became too much for her. In May 2020, the actress overdosed on a cocktail of opioids, pain medications, and morphine. She was discovered by a friend and rushed to the hospital. Her family believed the pandemic made her extremely vulnerable to overdose because of her mental health.

Her oldest son, Kevin, admitted that most of the family wasn’t surprised when it went down because it was the tragic phone call they had been waiting for.

She also had a cardiac arrest and a number of seizures. There were times we didn’t think she was going to survive.”

Kevin added as he opened up about nearly losing his mother: “She had become very isolated. With the addition of morphine and heavier pharmaceuticals, it was getting scary. COVID, chronic pain, all these things led to a place of isolation. In that place, I don’t think, for her, there was much hope.”

Sadly, her stay at the hospital was rough for the entire family as the pandemic prevented them from visiting her and it was unclear if she would survive.

While in a coma for six weeks, she suffered “damage to her right frontal cortex.” She was also diagnosed with aphasia which is a type of brain damage that can hinder a person’s ability to read, write, and communicate.

Kevin admitted it was a very “touch and go” situation. At one point in time, he had to make a difficult phone call to his siblings and reveal that their mother could be deaf, blind, and mute.

When the actress first woke from her coma, she did struggle with speaking. Kevin recalled the heartbreaking situation noting that it was obvious she was afraid and had no idea where she was. But, she couldn’t tell anyone she was scared.

She’s On The Mend, Impressive Recovery

With lots of therapy, her recovery has been impressive.

Turns out, the actress has spent the last three years of her life at various rehab facilities working to regain everything she lost. At the facilities, she’s worked to rebuild her strength, improve her memory, and she’s worked on her ability to write and read. Admitting she’s been through a lot, she also tells People her recovery has been “remarkable.”

Tatum O’Neal’s son Kevin admits his mother has always been an incredible mother. She just really struggled with the pandemic. Tatum told People Magazine she is trying hard every day as she wants to continue to be around for her beautiful children.

Allie Johnson
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