Born into Hollywood royalty, Drew Barrymore seemed destined for stardom. Her godfather was Steven Spielberg, and at just seven, she became a household name in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. But behind the fame was a childhood unraveling. By age nine, she was drinking at Studio 54. At twelve, she was using cocaine. Her mother, unable or unwilling to intervene, labeled her a “problem child” and eventually sent her to a psychiatric institution after Drew’s suicide attempt at thirteen.
In that facility, Drew spent 18 months away from cameras, fame, and the chaos of her upbringing. It was there she realized she had to become her own parent. “I couldn’t rely on anyone else,” she later said. That painful clarity became the foundation for her transformation.
Instead of being consumed by her past, Drew rebuilt herself. She didn’t just survive—she thrived. From actress to producer to talk show host, she built an empire rooted in resilience. Her story isn’t just about Hollywood—it’s about reclaiming identity, healing, and choosing joy after trauma. Drew Barrymore turned the ruins of her childhood into a legacy of strength, empathy, and self-made success
