"I'll regret it till the day I die" - When John McEnroe's ex-wife Tatum O'Neal was 'terribly sad' after daughter Emily discovered shocking secret

John McEnroe's ex-wife, Tatum O'Neal, has always been candid about her struggles with drug addiction and even took responsibility for her failed marriage to the tennis legend. However, one of her most heartbreaking revelations was her regret over her daughter Emily discovering a shocking secret.

O'Neal and McEnroe's relationship started on a promising note, with the former once admitting she was drawn to his charm when they first met. The couple tied the knot in 1986, but their marriage soon faced challenges due to the actress' struggles with drug addiction and the seven-time Grand Slam champion's anger issues.

During a 2004 interview with NBC News, O'Neal opened up about her relationship with McEnroe, sharing intimate details about their time together. She also reflected on a heartbreaking moment in 1998 when her then-seven-year-old daughter, Emily, discovered a syringe in her apartment.

"Horrendous. The most horrendous thing. And I'm so terribly sad that Emily walked into that room and that, you know, things get so sloppy when you're under the influence. And it's tragic and awful, you know. And I'll regret it 'till the day I die," she said.

Following the incident, John McEnroe was granted full custody of their three children—Emily, Kevin, and Sean. Tatum O'Neal was required to undergo drug tests before each visit, with McEnroe strictly controlling the schedule and ensuring all visits were supervised.

"My oldest son sat down with me...shed a tear" - John McEnroe's ex-wife Tatum O'Neal on leaving drugs for children

Tatum O'Neal with her daughter Emily | Image Source: Getty

During the same interview with NBC News, John McEnroe's ex-wife, Tatum O'Neal, shared more about her battle with drug addiction. She recalled an emotional moment when her eldest son, Kevin, sat down with her, shed a tear, and pleaded with her to overcome her addiction and leave the habit behind.

"My oldest son sort of sat down with me. He sort of shed a tear. And he said, ‘I would really appreciate it if you wouldn't do that anymore,'" she said.

She added:

"I was like, I could probably do that, you know. That's my kid. I can do that. So and that's also for Sean and Emily. And I can do that for them, I can break a cycle that my mother couldn't break. And I can do this for my kids."

O'Neal now shares a strong and healthy relationship with her children. She and Emily often spend quality time together, bonding over their shared love and admiration for pets.