Sylvester Stallone, known for his roles in Creed and Rocky, opened up about surviving an abortion attempt.
His daughters, Sophia and Sistine Stallone, host the Unwaxed Podcast. They interviewed their father about his new Netflix documentary, “Sly.” During the episode, they discussed Stallone’s childhood, something that is addressed in the film.
“You had said that your mom was nervous to have you,” said Sistine. “She didn’t want you, right?”
“Not at all,” replied Stallone. “My mother would say, ‘The only reason you’re here is because the hanger didn’t work’ or ‘bouncing down those steps didn’t cause you to get lost.’”
In his documentary, Stallone shares the story of his traumatic birth. He explains that his mother, who did not want to have him, was not properly caring for her pregnancy.
“Even though she was nine months pregnant, she kept riding around on the bus. And she went into labor. Somebody was smart enough to get her off the bus, they carried her into a charity ward. And that’s where I was brought into the world via this accident which kind of paralyzed all the nerves on the side of my mouth. So I was born with this snarl,” Stallone said. The doctor used forceps to deliver him, paralyzing muscles in his face.
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Stallone, reflecting on the complications surrounding his birth, shared something his mother used to say to him. “And she said that, ‘You know, truthfully, Sylvester … you know, if there was really something wrong with your brain, I would have definitely opened up the window and put you on the windowsill and let you freeze because I’d be doing you a favor,’” he said.
Sophia replied, “What type of mother says that to their child?”
Stallone approached her question with compassion, explaining his mother’s well-being during her abortion attempt and abuse.
“My mother, she was was a troubled person. She was put into an orphanage, you know, and a very cruel orphanage because her father had remarried and the new stepmother hated her,” he explained. “And I think my mother was also kind of rebellious. So she was put into an orphanage that — it’s unlike the ones they have today. It was, you know, you’re tied to the bed, you’re whipped, and you’re… she was terribly molested. And I think her ability to ever show love was short-circuited. She literally couldn’t stand to be touched or touch at all. I mean, not even a hug.”
Stallone spoke about how he grew up thinking his upbringing was normal since he never had friends growing up. It wasn’t until he became older that he realized not all mothers didn’t want their precious child.
Despite his traumatic childhood, Sylvester Stallone has gone on to live a life filled with breakthroughs and blessings. In the podcast, he shares his journey of overcoming childhood abuse and becoming a loving, compassionate father and husband. Stallone’s life is a powerful testament that even an “unwanted” child can grow up to lead a fulfilling and meaningful life.
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