Marie Osmond: My Son Wasn't "Gay"
Credit: Harpo Productions
More quotes are surfacing from Marie Osmond's emotional Oprah Winfrey interview about the suicide death of her son, Michael.
On the show (airing today; check your local listings), Osmond, 51, denies speculation that her son was gay and took his life this past February because his sexuality conflicted with his Mormon upbringing.
"My son was not gay," she said. "He wanted to be married and have a family and travel all over the world. And it wouldn't matter if he was -- I have a daughter who's gay.
"She was the most offended by [the rumors]," she said, adding that her daughter felt they implied that "everyone who's gay commits suicide."
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Osmond also denied that her son -- who entered a rehab at age 17 -- was under the influence when he took his life.
"My son was clean when he jumped," she said of the teen, who was a student at L.A.'s Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. "There were no drugs in his system, but I believe the ramifications were there."
He was just lost, she said.
During her 2007 stint on Dancing With the Stars, he tried to commit suicide.
"He promised he would never do anything like that again and I believed him," she said. "Whatever his reality was, I do believe that there are moments when you slip into insanity and you no longer think rationally. I believe that's what happened."
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On the show, Osmond also performed an opera song she dedicated to her late son.
"I know I'll see him again because of what I believe," she said before her performance.
She couldn't make it through the entire song without tearing up.
"It's very hard, very hard," she said afterwards. "But it's a gift of love for him."
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6I did not see the Oprah program but have heard about it. I understand The pain that you are going through Marie. I lost my 37 year old daughter to suicide 5 years ago. The pain is still here and I am sure will always be with me. I also know that some day I will be with her again. I have had dreams of her showing me around her now peaceful domain. Everyday I am haunted by the questions, why and what could I have done diferently. those questions will not be answered in this life. Of course Marie keeps going on. Yes, she is strong. That does not mean a single moment goes by that she does no think of her son. She is a wonderful person.
@ Bonnie - nothing is off kilter. You just are not understanding the whole of it. Marie Osmond has gone through a lot in her life, but is a very strong person. She always bounces back. I find her an inspiration.
I wish I could share a very personal story with Marie. I am mother in my late forties and have to say that my mind has been where Michael's was that fateful day. I have to say that I am only "accidently," still here. My purpose is definately not fulfilled yet and I know what it is now from that experience. What I know for sure is that Michael graduated from a desire to die into a need to go. Unless you have felt the futility prior to your decision and the peacefulness of finally making your decision will you understand. It is what I need to write about but circumstances are not allowing me the time yet. I know I will never be there again from what I know from that experience.
I do not understand, with all her money and stardom, she stayed in a marriage that she claims was "abusive, with lots of pain and sorrow." She was always in control and if the marriage was so bad, whu did she keep adopting children? Something is very off kilter.
I just watched Oprah!!the show was very emotional!! Marie is such a strong person!!!
This woman has had a lot of tragedy in her life; I wish her all the best in coping and hope that life gets better for her.