When we see our favorite successful celebs, we might think that their lives have always been bright and trouble-free. Of course, some of them got really lucky, but definitely not these ones.

Today, we are going to talk about the superstars whose parents prevented them from having a happy childhood.

Leighton Meester

It is difficult to believe that this charming actress grew up in a dysfunctional family. Her parents were involved in drug smuggling and eventually got arrested. Constance and Douglas were soon released on bail. Meester was allegedly conceived at that time. Later, the couple was sentenced to 10 years and imprisoned in Texas. Leighton was born in a prison hospital.

In an interview with Teen Vogue, Leighton said:

Leighton always speaks very warmly about her parents. But in 2011, it became known that the actress was suing her mother for embezzlement of funds that she regularly sent her younger brother Alexander for dealing with his health problems.

Charlize Theron

Getty Images / Ideal Image

Charlize Theron’s childhood is like a scene from a dramatic film. At 15, her mother shot her father, who had serious problems with alcohol. No charges were filed against the mother because the crime was committed in self-defense.

Until the truth was revealed, the actress claimed that her father died in a car accident.

Meghan Markle

Getty Images / Ideal Image

As soon as Meghan Markle became a member of the British royal family, her relatives immediately smelled the possibility to get popular. Thomas Markle began to attract public attention, while her sister Samantha repetitively exposes Meghan in a negative light. The story reached its climax when Thomas admitted to taking drugs.

Good Morning Britain / YouTube

Macaulay Culkin

The little boy immediately felt the burden of popularity after the release of Home Alone. His childhood ended at that time because the father wanted to receive the maximum out of his reputation and agreed to all offered projects.

Getty Images / Ideal Image

As a result, Macaulay just couldn’t cope with the load, fell into a deep depression, and became caught up in drugs. By the way, Culkin Sr. appropriated everything earned by his son.

Lindsay Lohan

Getty Images / Ideal Image

The actress has always claimed there was real chaos in her parents’ house. Her father was addicted to alcohol and drugs, and often beat her mother. He has repeatedly had problems with the law and was arrested. There were numerous reasons for this – from domestic violence to insider trading.

Jackie Chan

Getty Images / Ideal Image

Jackie Chan is now experiencing difficulties in dealing with his daughter, but his own childhood was also not an easy one. The actor’s mom smuggled in opium while his dad was a policeman. It seems like an fictional story, but the young people fell in love and got married.

Halle Berry

Getty Images / Ideal Image

The father of the future Hollywood actress was addicted to alcohol and repeatedly attacked her mother. The woman suffered domestic violence for several years until she decided to file for divorce. Halle was only 4 years old. Berry is now an active participant in movements against domestic violence.

We don’t choose our parents. These celebrities deserve special respect that they were able to put up with the past and move forward despite all the difficulties. They could have complained about a difficult childhood, but they decided to act instead!