EXCLUSIVE: Son's Tears for Tatum O'Neal — Full Story of His Painful Essay of Forgiveness for Addict Mom
Tatum O'Neal's son opens up in an emotional essay about forgiveness and family struggles.
June 7 2026, Published 8:00 a.m. ET
Troubled Tatum O'Neal's son Kevin McEnroe has expressed forgiveness for his Oscar-winning mom, while recounting her past struggles with mental health and substance use.
McEnroe, 39, is one of the Paper Moon star's three adult kids with ex-husband and retired tennis great John McEnroe.
RadarOnline.com can reveal in an essay published in The Small Bow, Kevin shares some of his early memories of his mother, now 62 and sober, which include her sending him to buy cigarettes, him throwing away her drugs and her offering him a "line" if he desired.
Son Details Mother's Addiction Struggles
Kevin McEnroe reflected on his mom, Tatum O'Neal's, past substance abuse while describing the difference between his mother and her public persona.
He also differentiates her identity as a mother from what he calls her separate persona as "Tatum."
Kevin explained: "When I was little, you were my mom, until your boyfriend gave you heroin.
"You were my mom when you were clean, between rehabs, but then sometimes you were Tatum, too. I used to think Tatum took my mom away. Now I think Mom and Tatum just wanted something different. I think Mom and Tatum didn't always get along."
Kevin also dished details about his own sobriety journey, revealing that when he was in treatment, he was asked to "distance" himself from his mom while she was using.
Son Feared Ignoring Mother's Calls
Kevin, the son of O'Neal and John McEnroe, said treatment counselors advised him to maintain boundaries with his mother.
The writer also said he was told to maintain "boundaries" with O'Neal – but feared if he ignored her call, she might die.
In 2020, O'Neal suffered a near-fatal stroke, which was caused by a painkiller overdose, and was in a coma for six weeks. She later entered a treatment facility and had to relearn how to read, walk and talk.
Kevin also claims afterward she "started drinking again," while grappling with her pain and rheumatoid arthritis.
Shockingly, the candid son also confides then-boozing O'Neal told him a year and a half ago that she was suicidal, but he knew he wouldn't be able to convince her "to want to live."
Kevin Praises Mother's Sobriety Journey
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Despite past struggles, Kevin McEnroe said he is proud of O'Neal and her sobriety journey.
According to Kevin, his mother has been sober since then – and he's proud of her because he's "never really seen" her "really try" at anything.
While admitting his own experiences have been different than those of the actress, he has realized they are "exactly the same."
He concluded: "I'm proud to be Tatum's son."
