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Sandra Lee still haunted by ‘soul crushing’ childhood

She burst onto TV screens as a young, blonde woman with a charm that captivated everyone. But behind the scenes, her life was anything but glamorous.

Abandoned by her drug-addicted mother, she was left to fend for herself and her siblings, surviving on food stamps. As if that wasn’t enough, she would later face a life-threatening battle with cancer.

Hollywood may seem like a place where fame runs in the family, but for this remarkable woman, life was anything but glamorous.

Born in 1961 in sunny Santa Monica, this famous woman’s childhood was far from the picture-perfect dream.

Her parents were high school sweethearts deeply in love. However, two years later, her mother sent her and her sisters to live with their paternal grandmother. The TV star’s grandmother was a hard-working, coupon-clipping cafeteria worker who managed to create a warm and joyful home, always filled with the comforting scent of something freshly baked.

But soon, everything changed.

Drug addiction

After four years, the mother reappeared with a new husband, and the family relocated to Washington, where life spiraled into chaos.

At just 11 years old, the future TV personality found herself thrust into the role of caretaker for her four younger siblings. Her mother, Vicky, was not only physically abusive but also a prescription drug addict who spent most days in bed.

The TV star was left to manage cooking, cleaning, and schoolwork for the family while scraping by on welfare and food stamps. With limited money, even a few dollars could mean the difference between eating or going hungry for the last days of the month.

”On the way home [from the store], I had to ride very carefully so that the full plastic bags hanging from my handlebars wouldn’t swing and break the eggs,” she shared in her memoir.

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In later interviews, she shared how embarrassing it was to go to the store and pull out the book of food stamps.

”I remember standing in line at the grocery store with the food stamps and it was mortifying for me, because the girl – she was like the popular girl in school – [and] her parents were the rich family [and] they owned the dairy,” the star recalled while speaking with Daily Mail in 2024.

Raking leaves and picking berries

But despite all the struggles and challenges, the young girl tried to make the best of her situation. And perhaps it was during these tough times that her creativity, work ethic, and entrepreneurial spirit were born — the very qualities that would later propel her to have her own TV show, become a producer, and author multiple books.

As a young teenager, she earned extra money however she could — raking leaves, picking berries, and even selling handmade potholders for $1 a pair.

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Sadly, the real struggle came when she could no longer protect her siblings from their mother’s destructive behavior. One evening, after calling 911 when her mother swallowed a bottle of pills, things escalated. According to her memoir, her mother beat her so badly that her ”eyes were swollen” and her body was ”covered in welts.”

Her stepfather, who had moved back in, also crossed inappropriate lines, leaving behind wounds that were both physical and emotional.

Yet through it all, this future TV icon, who would one day become a household name.

Who is she?

And now, let’s unveil who we’re talking about…

If you haven’t guessed it yet – it’s Sandra Lee, the popular American television chef and home decorating specialist.

Many people likely recognize Sandra from the hit show Semi-Homemade Cooking, which premiered on Food Network in 2003. The series aired for 15 seasons and became incredibly popular, largely thanks to Sandra’s unique “semi-homemade” cooking concept, which she describes as using 70 percent packaged products and 30 percent fresh ingredients.

Her colorful personality and charm left a lasting impression, earning her a spot on Newsweek’s list of TV’s most successful female chefs. Now 58 years old, she has authored 27 books, and her show has been broadcast in 63 countries.

On top of that, she’s launched her own production company and lifestyle magazine, showcasing just how multifaceted this vibrant chef truly is. In her trophy case, she boasts a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lifestyle/Culinary Show Host, won in 2012 for her work.

Mark Von Holden/WireImage for Colle & McVoy, Inc

Much of Sandra’s inspiration came from her years spent with her grandmother. It was in her kitchen that Sandra’s passion for cooking and baking first ignited.

”My grandmother was a great cake baker and was fantastic with icings, and that was kind of her gift to everybody at her church. She would do the wedding cakes and she would do the baby shower cakes and she would do all the special birthday cakes, and she wouldn’t allow anybody to pay her for this,” Sandra says.

Sandra Lee partner

As we’ve seen, Sandra definitely has a fascinating backstory, but her love life has also featured some hot and talked-about romances. In 2001, she married philanthropist Bruce Karatz, and during the marriage, Sandra converted to Judaism.

Life with Karatz was a far cry from the harsh reality of her upbringing. Suddenly, she found herself living in a mansion in Bel Air, driving a Mercedes, and holding season tickets to the Lakers. She attended parties on P Diddy’s yacht and vacationed in St. Tropez. Her friends included celebrities like Mary Hart, Arianna Huffington, and art consultant Barbara Guggenheim.

Sandra Lee launches her new cookbook “Semi-Homemade Desserts” at the St. Regis Hotel September 29, 2003 Century City, California. The event was hosted By Miramax Books in aid of Project Angel Food. (Photo by Giulio Marcocchi/Getty Images)

The marriage ended in 2005, and shortly after, Sandra began dating Andrew Cuomo, who would later serve as the Governor of New York.

The two met at a garden party, where Cuomo, fit and charming, arrived with his three daughters in tow, which immediately caught Sandra’s attention. Initially, she tried to set Cuomo up with some of her friends, as he was emerging from a difficult divorce from Kerry Kennedy.

However, it didn’t take long for both of them to realize they wanted to be together instead. They dated secretly for over a year, keeping their relationship under wraps from friends and family.

Eventually, the secrecy became too much, and they publicly acknowledged their romance, moving into Sandra’s home in Chappaqua, New York.Unlike her first marriage, Sandra noted that life with Cuomo was anything but glamorous.

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”We do not have full-time help,” she told New York Magazine and added: ”We are normal people. Our basement flooded this morning. Two weeks ago, the snow melted and came in between the floors, and we had buckets in the living room.”

When Cuomo became the 56th Governor of New York in 2011, Sandra took on the role of the state’s de facto first lady. While she largely maintained a low profile during most of his first two terms, she later emerged as a passionate advocate for cancer screening after her own battle with the disease.

Sandra Lee cancer diagnosis

In 2015, Sandra Lee was diagnosed with breast cancer. Fortunately, the disease was caught early, but her journey to becoming cancer-free was filled with challenges.

She underwent both a lumpectomy and a double mastectomy, with Governor Cuomo by her side, taking time off to support her through this difficult period.

Unfortunately, she suffered an infection in one breast related to the surgeries, requiring her to be on intravenous drugs for three months. By the end of 2015, Sandra announced that she was cancer-free. However, in March 2022, she underwent a successful hysterectomy.

The breast cancer experience has undoubtedly been incredibly taxing for Sandra, but, as she has done many times before, she turned it into something constructive.

During Cuomo’s governorship, she became a strong advocate for cancer awareness, pushing for the passage of the $91 million ”No Excuses” law in New York, which expanded breast cancer screening and eliminated insurance co-pays for mammograms.

Sandra Lee children

After more than a decade together, Sandra Lee and Andrew Cuomo announced that their relationship had come to an end.

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“Over the recent past, we have realized that our lives have gone in different directions and our romantic relationship has turned into a deep friendship,” Mr. Cuomo and Ms. Lee, a Food Network personality and author, said in 2019.

During her relationship with Cuomo, Sandra grew close to his three daughters from his marriage to Ms. Kennedy. While Sandra doesn’t have children of her own —a choice she has made — she has poured her love and resources into her siblings and their children. According to New York Magazine, she has generously provided for her relatives, gifting them cars, houses, hockey lessons, and even covering college tuition.

Why she loves Cher

Today, Sandra Lee is 58 years old, but looking at her recent photos, it’s hard to believe it. She still looks amazing and healthy and is always so timeless and classic.

As of 2024, Sandra Lee has been reported to be dating Algerian-born actor Abdulwahab Benyoucef, professionally known as Ben Youcef, since March 2021.

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Excitingly, she is currently starring in a new show on Netflix, Blue Ribbon Baking Championship. The series aims to find the best bakers from state fairs across the country, as they compete for the coveted blue ribbon and a grand prize of $100,000. The series is something Sandra has wanted to do for a long time, and finally, Netflix took the plunge to make it happen.

”I presented the Blue Ribbon Baking Championship to Food Network all those years ago and they didn’t buy it and I was like, “Are you kidding me?” It was crazy, and I was like the hottest thing on that network at the time, and I just couldn’t believe it!,” she told Daily Mail.

In addition to her new series, Sandra is deeply involved with QVC’s Age of Possibility platform, which aims to empower women over the age of 50—a cause she is passionate about.

“I think what happens when you turn 50 is that you realize—if you’re lucky—you’re halfway through, if not more. Your body is changing, and you have to pay attention to all those things.”

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Speaking with Daily Mail, Sandra was asked if she feels any stress or pressure to look good while on camera. In the appearance-focused world of Hollywood, it’s certainly a relevant question, but Sandra provided a great response.

”There’s a reason why we all like wash our face and put lotion on and put makeup on. I don’t think any of us are going down without a fight. I’m in the Cher camp – whatever makes you feel hot, do it!’”, she urged.

Reflecting on Sandra Lee’s fascinating life journey, it’s clear that her road to success is a tapestry of resilience, creativity, and dedication.

From living on food stamps to her battle with breast cancer to her vibrant role as a culinary icon and advocate for women over 50, Sandra embodies the spirit of empowerment and positivity!

Share her life story on Facebook if you also think she deserves to be celebrated!

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Man mocked for being with 252 lb woman has the perfect response

When we share our lives on the internet, we often open them up to criticism. This young couple who just enjoys sharing pictures with one another received backlash from people for their relationship.

However, their response to the criticism is brilliant and a stark reminder of the importance of having the conviction of your beliefs.

The story of Matt and Brittany Montgomery is one that is quite common but nevertheless wonderful. The couple met, fell in love, and then started their lives together.

While it may sound like a common situation, the couple has a unique element in their story; their size difference. Brittany has had a hard time finding acceptance her entire life. She did not have the most secure relationship with her parents who were often controlling and her interactions with them would often leave her feeling drained.

All of this led to her having little confidence in herself and her body. Being plus-sized, she would often find herself with two kinds of men; those who would either want her to lose weight or those who fetishized her curves. These bad experiences led to her wanting to quit dating altogether and close herself off from the possibility of love.

But fate had something else in store for her! In August 2020, she crossed paths with Matt Montgomery on Facebook. While their physical builds had a stark difference between them, their souls connected on a level like never before!

Brittany recalled, “I was a bit hesitant at first. I’ve been in relationships where guys have told me that they will dump me if I don’t start dieting or trying to lose weight. It did affect my self-confidence, and at one point, I did start working out and trying to change my size.”

But the two of them were sure of one another and deeply in love. Matt proposed on January 30, 2022 and the couple began planning their lives together.

While they fully accept one another, they shared how the world judges their relationship. Matt shared, “People comment on Instagram and suggest that I’m not big enough or man enough for her.” He added, “I do notice people staring when we walk down the street…”

Despite all the criticism they receive on their relationship from people who fail to understand their deep connection, the couple have nothing but love for one another.

Matt has in his past had bad experiences with conventionally sized women. How Brittany makes him feel is what inspired Matt into realizing that she really is his true soulmate.

Perfect response

He accepts her the way she is and focuses on making her happy. He is not shy about expressing his appreciation for her publicly, in a post for her he wrote, “You are worthy, you are deserving of infinite love every single day and more. The way I look at you and feel for you and the way you look and feel for me is how I know that we are meant to be.”

His caption shows people leaving rude comments on the couples’ pictures that he loves his wife and that they have a connection that goes much beyond the physical. What a solid response to the haters!

The couple wants to remove the stigma behind ‘mixed-weight’ relationships. “I wish mixed-weight relationships were more common and more in the norm,” she said.

The young couple welcomed their child Lakelyn in March 2022 and just last month announced that they are expecting their second child together in September 2023. We wish them all the best!

Truly, there are no set parameters when it comes to finding true love and what makes someone happy. We should all accept and love one another regardless of anything else!

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Melania Trump fans rage over outfit at Jimmy Carter funeral

Melania Trump will be back in the White House in just one week. At 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, the Slovenian-born model will serve as First Lady for a second term, while her husband, Donald Trump, will assume the presidency for the second and final time.

This time, Trump will replace the Bidens, who will depart the White House the same day, during the inauguration, which also features appearances by other previous presidents and first ladies. But for a tragic cause, Donald Trump and Melania Trump met with a number of previous presidents and first women just a few days ago.

Two weeks ago, President Jimmy Carter died at the age of 100, and the Trumps went to his burial. George W. Bush, Joe and Jill Biden, the Clintons, and Barack Obama were all present at the send-off. However, Melania was the centre of attention when it came to photos from the funeral.

Fans were incensed after seeing only one aspect of her attire. Soon, Donald Trump and his spouse will be back in the White House. The former real estate tycoon will take office as President of the United States for a second term on January 20.

Even though Trump hasn’t taken office yet, his numerous future plans—including the potential desire to purchase Greenland—have already made him the talk of the town. The issue of Melania Trump’s second term as First Lady has been on the agenda ever since Trump’s election, despite the fact that many things are already decided.

Rumour has it that she may not live in the White House full-time, but rather alternate between New York City, Palm Beach, and Washington.

Since the birth of their son, Barron Trump, Melania has dedicated her life to raising him, serving as a loving mother and mentor, and ensuring that he stays out of the spotlight and the media attention that has followed his father around for decades..

“I’ll be at the White House, and I’ll be in New York when I have to be there. I will be in Palm Beach when I have to be there, but being a wife, mother, and first lady comes first,” she stated. The weeks leading up to the inauguration have been a sad period in the United States, even as Donald and Melania prepare for a new life at the White House. After becoming the longest-living president in US history and the first to reach the age of 100, former President Jimmy Carter passed away on December 29.

The funeral arrangements were elaborate, as is the case with all presidents. The current president, Joe Biden, and his wife, Jill, were among the many previous presidents who attended the funeral, including George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama. Last week, Melania and Donald attended the solemn state funeral service for Jimmy Carter at the Washington National Cathedral. Fans were incensed with the future First Lady, but many applauded them for being present. Why? due of her attire

Melania wore a two-piece ensemble consisting of a long black wool belted coat with a white collar, which was created by house designer Pierpaolo Piccioli, Japanese label Undercover’s Jun Takahashi, and a group known as the Movement for the Emancipation of Poetry, whose members affix lyrical lines to Italian city walls and monuments.

Melania didn’t look proper at all, according to some, while others thought it looked beautiful. The Mirror claims that admirers were “confounded” by her attire and even likened her to a nun. One person posted a Photoshopped picture of Melania with a bonnet and said, “I’m glad this time, Melania found an appropriate black dress to wear to a funeral.” Another said, “She just got off the Mayflower.” Melania Trump was referred to a “pilgrim” by others. According to the Daily Beast, a third individual said, “WTF is Melania wearing? Did the nun store have a sale?”

One commented, “Looks like our next four years of ‘What the f— is Melania wearing?’ begins today.” Another said, “Melania is wearing a pilgrim outfit.” “Did Melania just finish up cleaning the bathroom?” a sixth person asked. What do you believe Melania Trump’s performance as First Lady will be? Please let us know what you think by sharing this story on Facebook.

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Bruce Willis and Demi Moore’s daughter Tallulah reveals recent diagnosis

Inspired by her father’s bold and public battle with frontotemporal dementia, Tallulah Willis – the youngest of the Demi Moore and Bruce Willis clan – revealed a diagnosis of her own.

Recently, the 30-year-old shared a sweet childhood moment of her dad carrying her on the red carpet, hinting that as an adult, she’d received a surprising diagnosis.

Keep reading to learn more about Tallulah’s condition!

An Instagram memory shared by Tallulah Willis turned into a conversation about autism.

Tallulah, the youngest of three girls shared by Bruce Willis, 69, and his ex-wife Demi Moore, 61, shared a clip that shows her as a child, repeatedly playing with her father’s head as he holds her in his arms while speaking with the media at a film premiere.

Inviting dialogue from her 408,000 followers, Tallulah captions the March 15th clip, “tell me your autistic without telling me your autistic [sic].”

Some users expressed love for the sweet moment in the clip, and others – familiar with the behaviors she displays – touched on her symptoms of autism along with her father’s loving reaction.

“The beautiful way he just wasn’t even phased by that and just continued to hold you. Your dad is one-of-a-kind honey, and so are you,” writes one netizen. A second shares, “In your defense, shaved heads are as relaxing as little Japanese sand zen gardens.”

A third cyber fans adds, “His care for your feelings is magic…I’m so happy you have moments captured in the vault of forever.”

Recent diagnosis

One of the most popular comments comes from a psychologist who specializes in neurodivergent conditions.

“If you’re open to sharing, did you get diagnosed as a child?” The user, who goes by the name mfizzle, continues, “Not sure how much of your journey you’ve shared but would love to read more. You’re brave and inspiring and this is a very sweet video. All the best!”

Responding to this user’s question, Tallulah writes, “This is the first time I’ve ever publicly shared my diagnosis. Found out this summer and it’s changed my life.”

Stimming

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. People with ASD often have problems with social communication and interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests.”

Further down in the Instagram comments, Scout LaRue Willis, 32, offered more information on why the attached clip is relevant to her little sister’s condition.

“She’s stimming,” Scout LaRue writes, referring to repeated movements that some people with autism may engage to regulate sensory input.

“Dude the ear curl,” Tallulah writes, referring to the moment she folds the ear of her dad, who looks at her and sweetly smiles. “I wish we had stronger audio.”

Her father’s battle

Tallulah, Scout LaRue and Rumer Willis, 35, have been showering their father with love and support amid his ongoing battle with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

In 2023, the Die Hard star, who turned 69 on March 19, was diagnosed with FTD, a degenerative condition primarily affecting communication and behavior rather than memory. One of the actor’s early symptoms of the illness was aphasia, which affects how people communicate, write and understand other people.

Since the diagnoses, Willis’ loved ones have voiced support for the adored man, who also shares another two daughters with wife Emma Hemming Willis.

“Just like you, we simply adore him. What you might not know, but maybe you could imagine, that being wrapped in his arms is the safest place in this whole wide world,” writes Emma of The Last Boy Scout star whom she married in 2009. “He’s a true gentle-man. With so much love to give and share. That’s what I get to see, his true core. I can tell you, it’s so pure and ever so good.”

At this time, Tallulah has not offered further information on her diagnosis.

What do you think of this story? Please share your thoughts with us and then share this story so we can hear what others have to say!

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