She Refused To Have An Abortion At 17, Now 31 Years Later Her Son Is World Famous

Note: we are revisiting this story that first made headlines in September 2012.

In a heartfelt interview, Pattie Mallette, the mother of Justin Bieber, shared the profound challenges she encountered as a teenager, including surviving abuse and the tough choice to keep her baby despite immense pressure to do otherwise.

Before embracing motherhood, Mallette faced years of sexual abuse, a trauma she openly addresses in her memoir, Nowhere But Up: The Story of Justin Bieber’s Mom. She discussed how the abuse left her struggling with feelings of shame and self-blame. “It’s something so many survivors go through,” Mallette expressed. “You carry this shame and feel like there’s something fundamentally wrong with you. I certainly carried that weight.”

Her emotional turmoil reached a peak with a suicide attempt during her teenage years. Reflecting on that dark time, Mallette shared, “It was the culmination of years of abuse, combined with depression and substance abuse. Drugs and alcohol only exacerbated the situation. It was a breaking point.”

At the age of 17, Mallette discovered she was pregnant with Justin. She encountered significant pressure to end the pregnancy, but she resolutely chose to keep her baby. “I just realized that I couldn’t go through with it,” Mallette told Gifford. “I didn’t know how I would manage, but I was determined to do my best. I had to give him a chance.”

That resolve helped her navigate the immense challenges of being a young, single mother. When Justin was born, Mallette recalls that the sound of his first cry was unforgettable. “I know it might sound odd, but his cry was like music to my ears,” she said with a smile. “It was like, ‘A hah, a hah,’ and I thought, ‘This is the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard.’ I just wanted to hold him forever.

Mallette’s transformation from a difficult past to nurturing one of the world’s most renowned pop stars is a tale of strength, belief, and unwavering love.
Her choice to embrace life, against all odds, not only influenced her own journey but also propelled Justin to remarkable fame.

In her memoir, she explores the challenges and victories she faced, providing an authentic and motivating glimpse into a mother’s love and resolve. “I didn’t have all the answers,” Mallette confessed, “but I was dedicated to providing him with the best life possible.”

Mallette’s narrative stands as a powerful example of triumphing over hardship and discovering meaning, even in the toughest situations.