News / Health & Wellness
Ryan O’Neal Blames Family Issues for Farrah’s Cancer
In a far out claim, Ryan O’Neal suggests his children’s drama and addictions led to the disease that took his long-time girlfriend’s life.
Drug addiction has been blamed for a host of personal problems for users and their loved ones, but can drug abuse and family turmoil cause cancer in a loved one who is drug-free? Ryan O'Neal thinks so. The actor recently suggested that his family drama with children Tatum, Griffin and Redmond may have contributed to his longtime girlfriend Farrah Fawcett contracting cancer.
The claim was made on CNN’s Piers Morgan Tonight while O’Neal was promoting his new reality show, Ryan & Tatum: The O’Neals. During the interview he said, "There was turmoil during my love affair with Farrah, a lot of it caused by my family, by my kids — all of them, but particularly Tatum." He then added, “I just think if she had never met us, would she still be alive today? Because nobody knows what causes cancer, do they?"
If the goal was to generate publicity, he certainly succeeded. But experts don’t see any merit in his claim. Even Morgan suggested it was a harsh thing for O’Neal to say about his daughter. Fawcett died in 2009 at 62.
Tatum has also been making the talk show rounds, and has been honest about her family problems. Her latest autobiography, Found, tells the truth about her 25 years of estrangement from her father and her struggle with alcohol and drug addiction.
Drug Treatment
If you or someone you love is battling an addiction or co-occurring disorder, call La Paloma at our toll-free number. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about treatment, financing or insurance.
