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The Daily Dish The Real Housewives of Orange County

Tamra Barney Reveals Suicide Attempt

The Real Housewife of Orange County opens up during a speech at the Los Angeles Women's Expo.

By Megan Johnson


Life may be sweet these days for Real Housewives of Orange County star Tamra Barney, but it wasn’t always that way.

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The blond spitfire opened up in a speech featured on last night's episode at the Los Angeles Women’s Expo about her journey to success as an entrepreneur -- and as a woman.

In hear early twenties, after her first divorce, Tamra attempted suicide, she revealed.

“I took a bunch of prescription medication that I found in my mom’s cupboard, then my mom found me and they took me to the hospital. They admitted me into a mental hospital,” Tamra said. 

Caught in a cycle of low self-esteem and being controlled by men, Tamra later found herself in another marriage, without any means of standing up on her own two feet. It was then she found the sparks of entrepreneurship, and as a successful businesswoman today, Tamra is happy professionally and personally, with her fiancé Eddie.

After the speech, Tamra had a serious heart-to-heart with her mother about her troubled childhood. Tamra didn’t understand why her mother didn’t tell her she loved her as a child.

“Do you tell your children you love them all the time?” Tamra’s mom asked her.

“Every day,” Tamra responded. “How come u didn’t tell me that you loved me?”

A Frank Conversation with Mom

Tamra’s mom went on to explain that expressing love for her children just wasn’t something she was taught to do, but that her feelings for her children are always there.

“You kids know I love you,” she said. “There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you, or my grandkids.”

Clearly, it was an emotional day for everyone.  But if Tamra’s Twitter feed is any indication, she’s thrilled with the response from viewers.

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