Pattie Mallette is a talented scriptwriter and producer, but today, she’s best known as the mother of pop superstar Justin Bieber. However, behind her public persona lies a story of resilience and strength that many are unaware of—one filled with personal struggles and challenges she has faced throughout her life.
Justin Bieber is undeniably one of the biggest stars on the planet, and to many, the Canadian sensation seems to have it all. Yet, even the most famous faces face struggles and crises that often go unseen by the public. The relationship between Justin and his mother, Pattie Mallette, has had its share of ups and downs—something not entirely surprising given Pattie’s tumultuous past.
Born on April 2, 1975, in Stratford, Ontario, Pattie hails from a French-Canadian background. However, her early life was marred by an unimaginable tragedy. At just two years old, Pattie suffered a profound loss when her five-year-old sister, Sally, was tragically struck by a car and killed while crossing the street. This heartbreaking event cast a long shadow over Pattie’s childhood, shaping the woman she would eventually become.
At just 17 years old, Pattie Mallette became a mother when she gave birth to Justin Bieber. At the time, she was a single mother already well-acquainted with facing hardships. As reported by Daily Mail, Pattie raised Justin on her own in a modest, low-income housing unit in Canada, though she did receive some support from her parents—Justin’s grandparents.
However, Pattie’s struggles ran deeper than just financial difficulties. She has openly shared that her childhood was filled with years of abuse and violence, starting when she was just three years old. In her own words, she explained the traumatic experiences that would shape much of her journey.
“My abusers included a male babysitter, the grandfather of a close friend, and local children who seemed unsettlingly wise beyond their years,” she reveals.
As she grew to the age of 14, she began to use different substances. Around this time, she was also beginning to shoplift at stores and was expelled from her school for starting a fire in the bathroom. Sadly, the book sexual abuse continued. In her book, Patti describes date rape at age 15.
”I was sexually violated so many times that as the years went by it began to feel normal. It’s a strange marriage – knowing something is wrong yet at the same time finding it familiar and commonplace,” she said.
As a child, Mallette discovered her love for acting and singing. By the time she was just nine years old, she was already appearing on local TV shows like Romper Room and Big Top Talent, a children’s talent program in her area.
At 15, she started a relationship with Jeremy Bieber, which would last for four years. However, at 16, she ran away from home, resorting to theft and selling drugs just to survive.
“My childhood was filled with pain,” Mallette shared with George Stroumboulopoulos, as reported by Cosmopolitan. “But I always had a deep love for the arts, something I now share with Justin. It’s something we truly bond over.”
As the weight of her past and current struggles took their toll, her mental health continued to spiral.
After enduring months of deep despair and battling suicidal thoughts, the 17-year-old attempted to end her life. She was then admitted to a mental institution that practiced Christian conversion therapy.
Upon her release, Mallette reached out to former friends and colleagues who hadn’t embraced the new religion she had turned to. It was during this time that she reconnected with Jeremy Bieber once again.
Six months into their relationship, Pattie discovered she was pregnant. On March 1, 1994, Justin was born in London, Ontario.
Although Pattie and Jeremy initially stayed together after Justin’s birth, their relationship ultimately ended after just a few months.
Despite the challenges she had faced, Pattie remained a devoted and present mother. She supported Justin in his musical journey, even helping him enter the 2007 Stratford Star talent competition when he was a teenager.
“When your kids reach a certain age, your parenting style has to shift, and it’s tough to let go,” Mallette shared with People in 2013, when her son turned 19.
“His life was my life, and now I’ve had to let him become more independent. It’s hard not being able to control everything your adult child does.”
After Justin’s meteoric rise to fame, he found himself in legal trouble. In 2014, he was arrested after being pulled over during a street race at 4 a.m.
The incident caused a rift between mother and son.
“I never wanted my mom to be disappointed in me, and I knew she was. We went through a period where we didn’t talk, so rebuilding that trust took time… It was hard, but we’re getting there. She’s an amazing woman, and I love her,” Justin told Billboard in 2015, as quoted by Cosmopolitan.
Looking back, that difficult chapter is nearly forgotten, and Pattie now beams with pride over her son’s growth.
“I’m so proud of the incredible young man you are and the man you’re becoming. None of us are perfect, and we’ll always need patience and grace with each other, but your genuine, growing relationship with Jesus is clear in the choices you make every day and the good ‘fruit’ you bear. I admire your character and integrity. You’re maturing beautifully and are wise beyond your years,” she wrote on Instagram.
Despite the many challenges Pattie faced in her younger years, her journey toward grace is nothing short of inspiring. Share this story on Facebook if you agree!