Tina Louise has been the sole surviving cast-member of Gilligan’s Island ever since the 2020 death of Dawn Wells. At 91 years of age, Louise is now getting reflective about her long life.
In a recent interview, Louise opened up about her difficult childhood like never before. Indeed, what she had to say will give fans an entirely new perspective of this legendary actress.
Louise’s Tragic Childhood
Louise is best known for playing “The Movie Star” Ginger Grant on Gilligan’s Island from 1964 until 1967. Before finding fame, however, Louise experienced a tough childhood growing up in New York City.
“I didn’t live with my mother until I was 11,” Louise told Fox News. “I had a whole period of life without her, I kept all of that inside of me. And then, I developed anger. By the time I was picked up by my mother, she was with her third husband and had a different life. It was a very sophisticated life that she wanted for herself, so she found a very successful man.”
“I live in the present,” she continued. “But I’ve never dealt with what happened to me. When the book first came out, my mother was alive. She didn’t like it to the point that she said I made it up. I understood that as her not wanting to deal with it… She was the most dominant force in my life.”
Louise Is Sent Away To Boarding School
Louise was born Tina Blacker in 1934. Her mother was just 18 years-old at the time of her birth, and her father was a decade older. By the time Louise was four years-old, her parents had divorced. She was sent to boarding school when she was six. At the time, she questioned whether her parents would ever even come back for her.
“I didn’t want to be there right from the start,” she recalled. “We were all just a bunch of angry little girls. It was like Lord of the Flies — nobody wanted to be there. And there were gangs of little girls. You were always going to find someone to pick on. I was told that my job was to hit this little girl. It was ridiculous. I never figured out why they chose me.”
“I remember I kept trying to catch a very bad cold so that I could hardly speak, so I could leave this place,” Louise added. “They kept giving me hot milk. I was asked to call my mother. I told her I wanted to come to her, but I was told it wasn’t the time to get out.”
Louise then “learned she was with her second husband, and he didn’t want a little girl in the house. He just wanted to be alone with his beautiful wife.”
Related: Tina Louise, Sole Surviving ‘Gilligan’s Island’ Star, Reemerges At 91 In Rare Sighting
Louise Experiences Physical Abuse
At one point, another student stabbed Louise with a pencil. She still has a scar on her wrist from this incident to this day. On another occasion, Louise alleges that she was slapped when she was caught struggling to take a bath.
Finding herself being ostracized by her fellow students, Louise’s only friends were caterpillars that she hid in a box under her bed. When they were discovered, they were confiscated by school officials.
“They took everything away,” Louise lamented. “My mother once brought me a doll, and that was immediately taken away in the night. I don’t remember ever getting it back. You don’t remember things like that. You just remember that it was taken away.”
On visiting days, Louise would pray that she would get to see her parents. They never showed up.
“I yearned for hugs,” she said. “I don’t think I knew what was going on, I just knew that it was painful.”
Related: Ginger of ‘Gilligan’s Island’ Fame To Star In New Faith-Based Film
Louise Gives Back To Kids After Overcoming Her Childhood
Thankfully, Louise was able to overcome this terrible childhood to achieve great Hollywood success. Indeed, she will always be remembered for her incredible turn as Ginger in Gilligan’s Island.
Louise’s difficult childhood has also inspired her to give back to children in real life. For decades, she has quietly worked with Learning Leaders. This is a nonprofit that trains volunteers to tutor public school students throughout New York City.
When Learning Leaders lost its funding at one point, Louise began using her own money to keep the organization going. She still works with Learning Leaders to this day.
“It gives me so much joy,” she confessed. “Helping students and giving them hope.”
Louise’s story is nothing short of inspiring, as it shows that someone truly can overcome the worst of childhoods to live a happy and productive life.
God bless you, Tina Louise!
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