Drug addiction

After four years, the mother reappeared with a new husband, and the family relocated to Washington, where life spiraled into chaos.

At just 11 years old, the future TV personality found herself thrust into the role of caretaker for her four younger siblings. Her mother, Vicky, was not only physically abusive but also a prescription drug addict who spent most days in bed.

The TV star was left to manage cooking, cleaning, and schoolwork for the family while scraping by on welfare and food stamps. With limited money, even a few dollars could mean the difference between eating or going hungry for the last days of the month.

”On the way home [from the store], I had to ride very carefully so that the full plastic bags hanging from my handlebars wouldn’t swing and break the eggs,” she shared in her memoir.

In later interviews, she shared how embarrassing it was to go to the store and pull out the book of food stamps.

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