She Chose Life at 17—31 Years Later, Her Son Is a Global Icon

In a deeply emotional interview, Pattie Mallette, Justin Bieber’s mother, opened up about the immense hardships she faced as a teenager—enduring years of abuse, battling addiction and depression, and ultimately making the life-changing decision to keep her baby despite overwhelming pressure to choose otherwise.

Long before she became a mother, Mallette was trapped in a cycle of trauma, experiencing years of relentless sexual abuse. In her memoir, Nowhere But Up: The Story of Justin Bieber’s Mom, she speaks candidly about the lasting scars it left behind and the silent suffering she endured. “For so long, I carried an unbearable weight of shame and self-blame,” she revealed. “It’s something so many survivors struggle with—you start to believe that you’re damaged, that something is inherently wrong with you. That shame follows you everywhere, and I definitely carried that burden.”

As the pain of her past consumed her, Mallette spiraled into depression and substance abuse, turning to drugs and alcohol as a way to escape. But rather than numb the pain, they only deepened her despair. The darkness eventually became too much to bear, leading to a suicide attempt in her teenage years. Looking back on that pivotal moment, she shared, “It wasn’t just one thing—it was the accumulation of years of abuse, neglect, and hopelessness. I felt like I had no way out, no future, no reason to keep going. Drugs and alcohol just made everything worse. I reached a breaking point.”

Surviving that dark chapter of her life marked a turning point for Mallette. Though the road to healing was long and difficult, she fought to reclaim her sense of self-worth and purpose. Her journey eventually led her to embrace motherhood—a decision that not only changed her life but also shaped the future of her son, Justin Bieber. Today, she uses her story to inspire others, proving that even in the face of unimaginable pain, redemption and hope are possible.