Mia Farrow hits back at ‘vicious rumours’ about her children after sharing ‘airbrushed’ family photo

Farrow had shared a photo which appeared to obscure the face of daughter Tam, who died in 2000

Mia Farrow photographed in 2017 (AFP via Getty Images)

Actor Mia Farrow has responded to accusations that she shared a photo on social media back in 2016 that airbrushed out one of her children.

The photo, which shows Farrow’s children Dylan and Ronan Farrow meeting Hillary Clinton, appeared to have been manipulated to obscure the face of Tam – Farrow’s adopted daughter from Vietnam who died in 2000, aged 19 – who was also present.

Another of Farrow’s adoptive children, Moses Farrow, wrote in a blog post in 2018 claiming that Tam took her own life after an argument with Farrow. However, a spokesperson for Farrow attributed the cause of Tam’s death to heart failure.

Writing on Twitter, Farrow condemned what she called “vicious rumours” about her late daughter, addressing the death of Tam and two other of her children.

“As a mother of 14 children, my family means everything to me,” wrote Farrow. “While I chose a career that placed me in the public arena, most of my children have elected to live very private lives. I respect each of their wishes, which is why I am selective in my social media posts,” she wrote.

“Few families are perfect, and any parent who has suffered the loss of a child knows that pain is merciless and ceaseless. However, some vicious rumours based on untruths have appeared online concerning the lives of three of my children. To honour their memory, their children and every family that has dealt with the death of a child, I am posting this message.” 

Farrow wrote that Tam’s death was caused by “an accidental prescription overdose related to the agonising migraines she suffered, and her heart ailment”.

She also described the deaths of her daughter Lark, at aged 35 from complications of HIV/Aids, and her son Thaddeus, aged 29, both of which she called “unspeakable tragedies”.

“Any other speculation about their deaths is to dishonour their lives and the lives of their children and loved ones,” Farrow added. “I am grateful to be the mother of fourteen children who have blessed me with sixteen grandchildren.

“Although we have known sorrow, our lives today are full of love and joy. Everyone has their own battle to fight; their own sorrows that gnaw. I send you my best hopes and my love.”

Farrow was recently at the centre of the four-part HBO documentary Allen v Farrow, which delved into the abuse allegation levelled against Farrow’s former partner, Woody Allen, which Allen has always vehemently denied.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress and isolation, or are struggling to cope, The Samaritans offers support; you can speak to someone for free over the phone, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.

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