Sylvester Stallone, famous for his performances in Creed and Rocky, recently revealed details about surviving an attempted abortion.
His daughters, Sophia and Sistine Stallone, are the hosts of the Unwaxed Podcast and had a conversation with their father about his new Netflix documentary, “Sly.”
The episode delved into Stallone’s childhood, a topic that is explored in the film.
“You had said that your mom was nervous to have you,” said Sistine. “She didn’t want you, right?”
“Not at all,” replied Stallone. “My mother would say, ‘The only reason you’re here is because the hanger didn’t work’ or ‘bouncing down those steps didn’t cause you to get lost.’”
In his documentary, Stallone recounts the harrowing tale of his difficult birth. He details how his mother, who was unwilling to have a child, neglected to care for her pregnancy properly.
“Even though she was nine months pregnant, she kept riding around on the bus. And she went into labor. Somebody was smart enough to get her off the bus, they carried her into a charity ward. And that’s where I was brought into the world via this accident which kind of paralyzed all the nerves on the side of my mouth. So I was born with this snarl,” Stallone said. The doctor used forceps to deliver him, paralyzing muscles in his face.
Stallone, reflecting on the complications surrounding his birth, shared something his mother used to say to him. “And she said that, ‘You know, truthfully, Sylvester … you know, if there was really something wrong with your brain, I would have definitely opened up the window and put you on the windowsill and let you freeze because I’d be doing you a favor,’” he said.
Sophia replied, “What type of mother says that to their child?”
Stallone responded to her question with empathy, describing his mother’s health during her abortion and the abuse she endured.
“My mother, she was a troubled person. She was put into an orphanage, you know, and a very cruel orphanage because her father had remarried and the new stepmother hated her,” he explained.
“And I think my mother was also kind of rebellious. So she was put into an orphanage that — it’s unlike the ones they have today. It was, you know, you’re tied to the bed, you’re whipped, and you’re… she was terribly molested. And I think her ability to ever show love was short-circuited. She literally couldn’t stand to be touched or touch at all. I mean, not even a hug.”
Stallone discussed his upbringing, reflecting on how he initially believed it was standard because he lacked friends during his childhood. It wasn’t until later in life that he realized not all mothers were indifferent to their children.
Despite his difficult early years, Sylvester Stallone has managed to carve out a life marked by achievements and good fortune.
In a podcast, he recounts his path to healing from childhood mistreatment and evolving into a caring, empathetic father and spouse.
Stallone’s life serves as an inspiring example that even a child who feels unwanted can grow up to embrace a rich and purposeful existence.
