At 79 years old, Mia Farrow is finally ready to speak the truth about some of the darkest moments in her life. For decades, the iconic actress and humanitarian has kept her silence on the events that forever changed her world, but now, after years of turmoil and reflection, she is sharing her story. From her childhood in Hollywood to her infamous relationship with Woody Allen, Farrow’s journey is one of pain, resilience, and redemption.

Mia Farrow’s entry into the world of acting was as difficult as it was gradual. After her father’s death, Mia moved to New York City with her mother, where she began auditioning for acting roles. Though she faced numerous rejections, her persistence eventually paid off. In 1964, she landed her breakthrough role as Allison McKenzie in the hit soap opera Peyton Place. The role made her a household name and was the start of her successful acting career.

Mia’s star continued to rise with her iconic performance in Rosemary’s Baby (1968), a psychological horror film that solidified her place in Hollywood. Her portrayal of Rosemary Woodhouse, a woman slowly realizing she’s caught in a nightmarish conspiracy, earned her critical acclaim and became one of the most memorable performances in horror cinema. As she stepped into more complex and varied roles, Mia became known for her versatility, playing everything from a gangsters’ girlfriend in Broadway Danny Rose (1984) to a struggling waitress in The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985).

Her career continued to flourish throughout the 1980s and 1990s, with notable performances in Hannah and Her Sisters (1986), Radio Days (1987), and Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989), among others. Mia’s ability to tackle a wide range of characters—from the deeply emotional to the comedic—earned her numerous awards and nominations.

However, Mia’s personal life was anything but simple. Her marriage to Frank Sinatra in 1966 was short-lived, primarily due to Sinatra’s demand that she give up acting, which led to their divorce. In 1970, she married André Previn, and together they had three children while Mia also adopted two more. Her family grew further with the addition of more adopted children, making Mia a mother to 14 in total.

But it was her relationship with filmmaker Woody Allen that would capture the public’s attention and spark one of Hollywood’s most controversial scandals. Mia met Allen in the 1970s, and over the course of their 12-year relationship, she starred in 13 of his films. Their professional collaboration was widely praised, with films like Zelig (1983), The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985), and Broadway Danny Rose (1984) showcasing Mia’s incredible range as an actress. However, the personal aspect of their relationship took a much darker turn.

In 1992, Mia’s life was shattered when she discovered that Woody Allen had been having an affair with her adopted daughter, Soon-Yi Previn. At the time, Soon-Yi was 21 years old, and Mia had raised her as one of her own. The discovery, which came when Mia found explicit photos of Soon-Yi in Allen’s apartment, led to a bitter and public fallout. The affair—and the subsequent allegations of abuse made by Mia’s daughter Dylan—created a media firestorm that would haunt Mia for years to come.

The situation quickly escalated, with Mia confronting Soon-Yi and Woody, leading to a complex and highly emotional legal battle for custody of Dylan, Mia’s daughter from a previous relationship. As part of the aftermath, Dylan made shocking allegations against Allen, claiming he had sexually abused her when she was seven years old. While the legal system investigated the allegations, public opinion was divided. Some believed Dylan’s account, while others suggested that Mia may have influenced her daughter’s testimony.

Despite the challenges, Mia was awarded full custody of Dylan, and the case became a defining moment in her life. The emotional toll of the situation weighed heavily on Mia, but she remained dedicated to protecting her children, even as the public turned against her.