Glenn Close is one of the most decorated and respected actresses in Hollywood. The eight-time Academy Award nominee is known for her powerfully intense, yet grounded performances. Perhaps her ability to channel rage and poise all at once comes from her absolutely wild upbringing, which included being in a cult.
Let’s dive more into Glenn Close’s secret family history.
Glenn Close Grew Up In A Cult
Glenn Close Says She Is ‘Psychologically Traumatized’ After Spending Her Childhood in a Cult pic.twitter.com/ndHzfXwpsq
— People (@people) May 24, 2021
Glenn Close grew up in Greenwich, Connecticut as part of a generationally wealthy family. Her family lived in a cottage on the massive estate of her grandmother.
When Glenn was 7 her parents joined a group called the “Moral Re-Armament” (MRA). Close says the MRA was a cult that dictated every decision for its members. Founded by American Minister Frank Buchman, the MRA was an offshoot of Buchman’s “Oxford Group.” Buchman received criticism for his group, with many religious leaders questioning the individualist nature of the religion and its recruiting of high-profile celebrities.
The group rebranded as “Initiatives for Change” in 2001 and has all but abandoned the religious components of its founder.
Paintings can convey powerful #messages and #emotions! Join #peacebuilders and #artists on 30 June (18:00 CEST) for a conversation with #humanrights artist @rickyromain on #art as a tool for change!
Register now: https://t.co/mXDEg51yDj @t4c_iofc #artforchange #freeonlineevent pic.twitter.com/kqsxSA1u6V— Initiatives of Change Switzerland (@caux_iofc) June 6, 2022
Mental Health Struggles
Close’s family has a history of mental illness. She herself has been open and honest about her mental health struggles, even cutting advertisements to raise mental health awareness. She was inspired to raise awareness due to her sister’s battle with bipolar disorder.
Award-winning actor and global advocate for mental health Glenn Close helps announce the Steven Schwartzberg Grants to provide theater writers $1,000 towards mental health services.
Visit https://t.co/38UpEcoR87 for more information on how to apply.https://t.co/TsldhyM0X0 pic.twitter.com/Vt3pzQtLT1
— DGF (@DGFound) January 15, 2021
Who Is Glenn Close’s Father, William Close?
Glenn’s father, Dr. William Close was a physician. He worked as a surgeon before opening a clinic in the Belgian Congo and befriend and became the personal physician of Mobutu Sese Seko, the leader and later dictator of Zaire. He also served as Mobutu’s personal pilot and security chief as well as running the nation’s largest hospital.
Adding to the bizarreness of Close’s story are fringe theories that state that Dr.Close and the MRA were part of a CIA operation to control African dictators.
Larry Devlin who was then CIA chief of station in the Congo, describes his friendship with Glenn Close’s father, William Close, who was a member of the Moral Re-Armament cult, Mobutu’s personal physician, and surgeon general of the Congolese army. https://t.co/TYfTEH6lkL pic.twitter.com/SlL7Ackbwh
— paulkleinfancam (@paulkleinfancam) October 19, 2021
His work in the Congo helped Close work with CDC epidemiologists and other medical professionals to stop a deadly outbreak of the Ebola virus that had a 90% fatality rate. Close’s work saved countless lives.
Close’s work also helped further research about the spread and origin of HIV.
Later in his life, Close would move to the small town of Big Piney Wyoming, where he became the town doctor until is death in 2009.
Close would leave the MRA at 22 and resent her father for the tolls the religion took on her and her siblings.
#GlennClose opens up about her family’s recovery from years in a cult-like religious group and why there was a time she resented her father deeply. Watch more on #JessCagleInterview: https://t.co/XoxHPirouu pic.twitter.com/WmuEC8dM6e
— PeopleTV (@peopletv) November 30, 2018
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