Ina Garten Opens Up About Childhood Trauma: Fear of Father’s Violence

Ina Garten Opens Up About Childhood Trauma: Fear of Father’s Violence

Ina Garten, the beloved star of Barefoot Contessa, has shared her harrowing experiences of childhood abuse and a strained relationship with her parents in a recent interview.

In a candid conversation with PEOPLE promoting her forthcoming book, Be Ready When the Luck Happens, the 76-year-old Food Network personality revealed the trauma she endured growing up in Connecticut. Garten disclosed that her father, a surgeon, was physically abusive, often hitting her and pulling her hair when she failed to meet his expectations.

“I was terrified. I was physically afraid of my dad,” Garten recounted. “I genuinely feared he might kill me if I did something wrong. My mother was also unsupportive, which made the situation even harder.”

Garten described how the constant threat of violence led her to seclude herself in her bedroom, a refuge she used to protect herself from the abuse. “You’re always afraid, even when it’s not happening,” she said. “I spent most of my childhood in my room with the door closed, simply trying to keep myself safe.”

She also speculated that her mother might have had Asperger’s Syndrome, as she struggled with forming relationships. This lack of support influenced Garten’s approach to relationships in her adult life. “Everything changed when I met Jeffrey,” Garten said, referring to her husband, whom she first met at the age of 16.

Garten emphasized that her determination to overcome her difficult childhood played a crucial role in her personal growth. “I was determined not to live my life the way I grew up,” she explained. “While it’s common for people to revert to familiar patterns, I was resolved not to do that. Meeting Jeffrey showed me a different way to live.”

Although Barefoot Contessa concluded its successful run in 2021, Garten continued to make waves with her new show, Be My Guest, which premiered on Discovery+ in 2022. Her new book is set to be released on October 1.

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