The Rise and Fall of Cooking Star Paula Deen

This article appeared in thedaddest.com and has been published here with permission.

Paula Deen, a well-known chef, became famous in the late 1990s because of her Southern-style restaurant, The Lady & Sons. This success led to her own cooking shows and made her a popular TV personality. However, in 2013, she found herself in a scandal that damaged her career. This article will explore what led to the downfall of the “Butter Queen” and her journey to that point.

Tough Early Years: Losing Both Parents by Age 23

Paula was born in 1947 in Georgia. Her mom was a stay-at-home mom, and her dad sold cars. They weren't rich but lived a comfortable middle-class life. Paula and her younger brother, Earl, were raised well.

Tough Early Years: Losing Both Parents by Age 23
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Paula's dad wanted her to be a dentist, but she married her high school sweetheart, Jimmy Deen, at 18. Tragedy struck when her dad died at 40, and her mom passed away when she was 23, leaving her and her brother alone.

Battling Mental Health Issues

After losing her parents, Paula's brother moved in with her and her two young sons, Jamie and Bobby. Paula revealed to People magazine's Mike Lipton that she was waiting to die each day after her parents' death.

Battling Mental Health Issues
Instagram // @pauladeen_official

She struggled with depression and agoraphobia, making it hard for her to leave her house. She spent a lot of time at home, too scared to go to crowded places. This went on for years, getting worse when her family moved to Savannah.

Various Jobs Before Cooking

Paula tried different jobs before cooking. She worked in real estate, insurance, and even installed wallpaper. She was a bank teller when a robbery happened, leaving her even more scared of crowded places.

Various Jobs Before Cooking
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In her memoir, It Ain't All About the Cooking, she wrote about how her condition was so bad she could barely shop for groceries. Cooking became her comfort during this time.

A New Beginning

In 1987, Paula decided to change her life. She felt hopeful and wanted to live fully. It took her two years to plan her new path and help her sons have good careers. In 1989, she divorced her husband and started healing.

A New Beginning
Facebook // Paula Deen

She sees June 19th, 1989 as her rebirth, the day she took charge of her life. She also began her catering business, The Bag Lady, with her sons, marking a fresh start.