Reese Witherspoon on leaving an abusive relationship: I didn’t have self-esteem

Reese Witherspoon revealed details about an emotionally abusive relationship and why leaving it was a difficult decision for her.

Reese Witherspoon says leaving an emotionally abusive relationship was one of the most difficult decisions of her life.

Reese Witherspoon says the reason she is so ambitious now is because someone tried to take it away from her once. (AFP)

The actor, in an interview with her Wrinkle in Time co-star Oprah Winfrey, said the decision changed her as a person and more confident, reported E! Online.

“For me, probably leaving an abusive relationship (was the most difficult decision). I drew a line in the sand, and it got crossed, and my brain just switched. I couldn’t go any further. I was really young, and it was profound,” Witherspoon told Winfrey during last weekend’s SuperSoul Sunday programming block.

“I could never be the person I am today. It changed who I was on a cellular level, the fact that I stood up for myself. None of those leaving those situations... it’s wrought with self-doubt, particularly if someone damages your self-esteem.”

Witherspoon said her experience with domestic abuse motivated her to develop Big Little Lies.

“People say to me that knew me then, ‘You’re a completely different person’. I didn’t have self-esteem. I’m a different person now and it’s part of why I can stand up and say, ‘yes, I’m ambitious’ because someone tried to take that from me before,” she said.

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