When you think of Brooke Shields, the last word that comes to mind is "fat." But here's the thing: her own mother, Teri Shields, who was famously controlling and struggled with alcoholism, used to say otherwise. Can you imagine that? In a candid moment, Brooke, now 53, revealed the harsh words her mother would throw at her. "My mom would get drunk and say, 'Why don’t you move your fat ass?'" she recalled. That’s a heavy thing for anyone to hear, let alone a young girl trying to find her place in the world. And because of that, Brooke carried the belief that she had a "fat ass" for years.
Now, Brooke Shields has graced the covers of countless magazines, including the iconic Vogue. But even with all that success, she struggled with her self-image. She described herself as a "cover girl, not a supermodel." She was often characterized as "athletic" and mostly featured in "neck up" shots. It wasn’t until later in life that Brooke learned to embrace her body. Today, she’s fit, confident, and taking care of herself. Just take a look at her stunning red bikini photoshoot for Swimsuits for All. But it wasn’t an overnight transformation—it took time, effort, and a lot of personal growth to overcome those early insecurities.
Escaping the Shadow of a Controlling Mother
Living in the shadow of a controlling and alcoholic mother was no easy feat for Brooke. She spent much of her life worrying about her mom's health and well-being. In fact, she recalls, "I’d spent my life being worried that my mother was going to die." That fear and anxiety led her to make some major life decisions. For instance, she married tennis champion Andre Agassi in 1997 partly to break free from her mother’s control. "I needed Andre to separate myself from my mother," she explained. "I wanted to start fresh and be a less encumbered version of myself." Although their marriage eventually ended, Brooke's journey to self-discovery didn’t stop there.
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Building Confidence with Chris Henchy
Brooke found renewed confidence when she married screenwriter Chris Henchy in 2001. Chris celebrated her femininity and body in ways that made her feel truly appreciated. "He would say, 'No, I want to grab onto you!' when I’d walk backward out of rooms," Brooke shared. That kind of affirmation and support helped her grow into the confident woman she is today.
A Legacy of Confidence
Teri Shields passed away in 2012, and Brooke is now the proud mother of two daughters, Rowan, 15, and Grier, 12. She's thrilled to see her daughters embracing their bodies with confidence. "They have the same stubbornness and strength that I do, but they’re more well-adjusted," she says. Brooke admits she’s a bit jealous of their confidence, but she’s proud to have created such strong, self-assured young women. "It’s a beautiful legacy," she adds.
For more on Brooke Shields’ inspiring journey, grab the latest issue of Closer Weekly, available on newsstands now — and don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter!
