The beloved actress/singer, Nell Carter, most known for being the star of the 80’s hit show, “Gimme A Break,” was living through a life of hell, while simultaneously making America crack up with laughter every week on TV. She passed away on January 23, 2003, but prior to her death she displayed just how much of a survivor she was after going through things, no one should ever have to endure.

After reading Nell tell her story, we all had to let out a collective “Whew!” because she revealed a mouthful, but wait ’til you see the details of what she lived through while she was in demand at the height of her career…

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After getting married to her husband, Georg, Nell revealed: "I got drunk on our wedding night, just smashed. I wasn't celebrating as much as I was frightened about what I'd done. The thought of making a commitment made me sick to my stomach. I shouldn't ever be married. I'm at my best when there's distance between me and a man. I don't like compromising. If I'm with someone for too long, I begin feeling trapped. Georg left me after just 18 months because of what I was doing with drugs. At the Tony Awards show party in 1978, a famous person whose name I won't mention gave me cocaine, and it was the most amazing thing in the world. Before then, I had used food and booze to escape. But I didn't ever feel as if I was out of control. As soon as I did cocaine, though, I was hooked. I started gelling fatter and fatter and crazier and crazier. I would eat, do the show, go home, lock myself away in my room and snort cocaine." In 1992, Nell had surgery for two brain aneurysms and by 1993 she was finally clean and sober. She gave these words of wisdom to anyone else who may be going through struggles: "Pray for yourself. The rest will take care of itself." Well said Ms. Carter. She ultimately passed away from heart disease, which was complicated by diabetes. May Nell Carter continue to rest peacefully. Source: People Magazine

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