She was eight when she had her first drink. By 12, she was battling addiction. At 13, after a suicide attempt, she was placed in rehab and later spent 18 months in a mental institution. Yet today, she is one of Hollywood’s most beloved and successful stars: Drew Barrymore. Drew’s fame began almost before she could walk. She appeared in a commercial at 11 months old and became a child sensation by seven. Her role in E.T. at age seven catapulted her to global stardom.

Audiences adored her charm and wit, but behind the scenes, her childhood was chaotic. Born into a family with a long history of addiction, Drew grew up surrounded by instability. Her father struggled with alcoholism and was largely absent. Her mother, though loving, exposed her to adult nightlife, including Studio 54. By eight, Drew was drinking. By 12, addiction had taken over.

After her breakdown at 13, her mother placed her in a strict institution. Surprisingly, Drew later called it “the best thing” that could have happened to her, saying it gave her discipline and boundaries she’d never had. At 14, she legally separated from her parents and moved out on her own at 15. Fame faded quickly, and by 16 she was cleaning toilets and working odd jobs.

But she rebuilt her career, becoming the queen of romantic comedies with hits like The Wedding Singer, Never Been Kissed, and 50 First Dates. Today, Drew is an actress, producer, businesswoman, and talk show host with an estimated net worth of $85 million. More importantly, she is a devoted mother determined to give her daughters the stability she never had. Drew Barrymore didn’t just survive her past—she transformed it into strength.