Everybody knew about the bulimia in the family. And they all blamed the failure of the marriage on the bulimia and it's taken them time to think differently. I said I was rejected, I didn't think I was good enough for this family, so I took it out on myself. I could have gone to alcohol. I could have been anorexic. I chose to hurt myself instead of hurting all of you.

Death doesn't frighten me.

You can't do anything good that you don't feel in your heart.

I was compelled to perform. When I say perform, I was compelled to go out and do my engagements and not let people down and support them and love them. In a way, by being out in public, they supported me although they weren't aware of just how much healing they were giving me. It carried me through.

Don't call me an icon. I'm just a mother trying to help.

I am not a political figure, nor do I want to be one; but I come with my heart.

Everywhere I go I smell fresh paint.