The Tragic Childhood Of Nigella Lawson

Celebrity chef Nigella Lawson is no ordinary woman. She's gone through a lot in her life to become a successful, revered chef who's known for her culinary expertise. The charismatic chef made her first appearance on television back in 1999 (via the BBC.) She was open about her life and fans would often get a glimpse of moments from her world, such as Lawson spending quality time with her son or cooking a lavish meal for her friends who'd come over for a dinner party.

The chef implied that she was a lot more free-spirited back then. She said, "I would now [think it odd], but I didn't then. I suppose that's the thing about when you start something — you have a certain innocence." Lawson was subjected to intense scrutiny when she went through a painful time in her life as she separated from her husband, Charles Saatchi. There was also a legal battle that involved two of her assistants, and it became too much for Lawson to take in. She said, "I just stopped reading newspapers for a while, and I certainly stopped giving interviews."

Lawson hasn't just faced obstacles in her adult life. Her childhood was complicated as well, and was traumatic in many ways for the young Lawson, who had to learn to cope.

In an interview with the Guardian, Lawson revealed that her childhood was full of painful memories. Her mother and father didn't get along. Plus, her mom was often anxious and stressed out, something that was impossible to miss. Lawson said, "She was one of those people who was full of stress and anxiety ... you know, if you knock something over it will be difficult, and I'm clumsy."

Also, her mother deprived herself of treats for many years, something that Lawson didn't want to do to herself. She told herself that she wouldn't approach food the same way just to be skinny, and would allow herself to eat. Lawson said that her childhood was simply unpleasant, something that she would never want to relive again. Her mom would often yell at Nigella and her siblings and threaten to hit them. Lawson now thinks that her mom never liked her. Fortunately, despite everything she went through, Lawson managed to bounce back and emerge stronger from the experience.

If you or someone you know may be the victim of child abuse, please contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or contact their live chat services. Also, if you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741, call the National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), or visit the National Institute of Mental Health website.