Sally Field, who has won two Academy Awards, said that becoming a mother “saved” her life. She looked back on a tough time before she became a mom and shared that she felt “ashamed” about what happened back then.
Sally Field got pregnant for the first time as a teenager and is now a mom of three. She talked about a “traumatic event” from her younger years. Sally shared that she has always felt nervous about telling this part of her past.
In October 2024, Sally Field shared a post on Instagram, revealing, “I’ve been so hesitant to do this, to tell my horrific story.” The actress talked about how hard it was to be a teenager in her time, when birth control was very hard to get and only available to married women.
Along with her post, she shared a video that went into more detail about what happened. “I still feel very ashamed about it because I was raised in the 50s and it’s ingrained in me,” she said.
Sally explained that as a teenager, she didn’t have much family support or money. “I didn’t have a lot of family support in any way or finances,” she said. She finished high school, but her family never talked about college, so she didn’t even know that was a possibility.
When she was 17 and discovered she was pregnant, a trusted family doctor, along with his wife and Sally’s mom, took her across the border for an abortion. It was a difficult experience.
When they arrived, the doctor parked far away and handed her money, telling her to go into a building alone. “I guess he thought that if I were dying maybe he could help me,” Sally remembered, saying the experience was “beyond hideous and life-altering.”
Sally said that she had no anesthesia during the procedure, just a little ether to make her numb. But it didn’t help much. “I felt everything, all the pain,” she explained. She added that the technician started to molest her, and she had to figure out how to push him away.
After the procedure, Sally was told to leave quickly because of the legal restrictions at the time. Even years later, she carried the “absolute pit of shame” from that experience.
Sally later found new meaning in motherhood at age 23. She said that her first son, Peter Craig, changed her life completely. In a March 2024 interview, she recalled how his birth in 1969 gave her a purpose.
“I wasn’t alone anymore,” Sally said, explaining how caring for him made her feel strong. “He saved my life,” she added. She described him as a peaceful presence who helped bring stability to her life. “He was my savior,” Sally said.
As Sally’s career grew with “The Flying Nun,” she also embraced her new role as a mother while married to Steven Craig. Looking back, she said that, even though she loved working on set, her main focus was on her family.
“My life was happening beside itself,” Sally said, remembering how she thought more about her growing family than her career.
Sally later had two more children during her marriage, and she gave birth to her second son, Eli Craig.
Now, 54, Sally’s son Peter is a successful screenwriter and novelist. He reflects fondly on growing up with his famous mother. Sally has praised him for being a loving father to his daughters, saying, “To raise children who go on to be great parents is an accomplishment—that’s the Oscar moment in life.”
Sally had her first son, Peter Craig, at age 23. She later praised him for being a loving parent to his own daughters.
Peter, like his mom, is involved in showbiz, but he works behind the camera. Sally’s second son, Eli Craig, born in 1972, is a film director and screenwriter. He has his own views on Sally’s parenting.
Sally shared that Eli might say she was a good and loving mom, but that she wasn’t strict enough. Sally reminded him that he was hard to control as a child.
Seeing Eli with his son, Sally said that watching her kids become parents made her realize what kind of mom she was.
Sally had her second child, Eli, while still married to Steven. Eli is now a dad, and Sally loves seeing him with his son.
Sally’s youngest son, Samuel Geisman, was born in 1987. He is a film producer and writer. Samuel has always been very close to his mother. He wrote an essay about their relationship, saying, “We have always been incredibly close.”
Sally was very supportive when Samuel came out as gay. He recalled that she “didn’t even bat an eye” and even tried to set him up with his “Olympic crush,” Adam Rippon.
Sally proudly called him “glorious, smart, funny, sweet Sam” and celebrated the moment when he proudly said, “I am a gay man.”
Although Sally’s acting career has been successful, her greatest pride is her family. “The three things I’m most proud of in my life are my sons,” she said, admiring their love and achievements.
Sally Field’s journey as a mother has been an important part of her life. With her three sons by her side, she has built a life full of love and purpose.