Fighting The Myth of The 'Hemingway Curse'

WGBH FM Radio Boston
Aug 16, 2016

Mariel Hemingway's family bears the scars of at least seven suicides. Although she was not even born when her grandfather, Ernest Hemingway, shot himself in 1961, Mariel grew up under the weight of the "Hemingway curse."

After struggling with her own mental health issues as a young actress, Mariel felt determined to fight the history of depression in her family. In 2013, Hemingway reflected on her grandfather's legacy and her sister's suicide in the documentary, "Running from Crazy." Now, Mariel is a mental health advocate and the author of several self-help books.

"I think we live in a world where creativity is defined by how much pain you go through, and that's a misinterpretation of artistry," she says. "I think if my grandfather were around today, he would go, 'Wow, I didn't have to suffer.'"

Today on The Takeaway, Mariel explains how she supports her two daughters, fights for mental health justice, and how she connects to her grandfather's writing. Click on the 'Listen' button above to hear our full interview with Mariel Hemingway.