Sharon Stone Says She Felt an ‘Emptiness’ When Her Abusive Grandfather Died: ‘He Was a Creature That We Tried to Avoid’

Sharon Stone discussed her complex family dynamics in a candid interview with Anderson Cooper, focusing particularly on the emotional impact of her late grandfather and the relief she felt following his death. The actress, now 68, explores these themes further in her memoir, “The Beauty of Living Twice,” which delves into her past traumas related to her grandfather’s abusive behaviour.

During the interview on Cooper’s podcast, “All There Is,” Stone reflected on the feelings of “glee and relief” she experienced when her grandfather passed away. Recalling her childhood, she described him as a figure of fear and abuse rather than a nurturing grandfather. “He was a creature that we tried to avoid at all costs,” she told Cooper, highlighting the deep-seated trauma her family endured at his hands.

In her memoir, Stone details the sexual abuse that both she and her sister, Kelly, faced from their grandfather, further compounding the pain caused by his actions. Cooper provided a poignant excerpt from the book that encapsulates the surreal emotions associated with witnessing death for the first time. “It’s a very weird thing when you’re a kid and the first experience you have of death is glee and relief and emptiness,” he read.

At the time of her grandfather’s passing, Stone was just 14 years old, while her sister was 11. She described the stark absence of mourning typically expected at a funeral, recalling there was no “gentle caring” or “hand-holding” at the service. When standing by his coffin, her sister, unsure of the reality, asked her to confirm he was indeed dead. Stone recounted the moment: “I reached in and shoved him in the shoulder, and he was stiff and didn’t move, and I went, ‘Yeah.’ And I think I said, ‘It’s over.’”

For Stone, that moment became etched in her memory as one of good emptiness, a release from years of suffering. “It will be a picture in my mind forever of that weird sense of emptiness—good emptiness. It’s over,” she expressed, encapsulating the complicated feelings surrounding her grandfather’s death.

The conversation also touched upon Stone’s relationship with her mother, Dorothy, who passed away in July 2025. Reflecting on their final moments together, Stone spoke about the difficult decision to let go, allowing her mother to depart in peace. “I finally realized, I have to let go. I need to stop walking in the room. I need to go upstairs and ignore my mother so she will die,” she admitted. This moment of clarity underscores the emotional toll caregiving can take, drawing attention to the complexities of love intertwined with loss.

Previously, the actress discussed how she and her sister made the decision to publicly address their experiences of abuse in an interview with The New York Times. She recounted how initially, their mother reacted with discomfort upon learning about their choice to reveal their past, which reflected the often protective yet painful responses involved in discussing family trauma.

Stone recalled that it was not until a more emotionally charged encounter between her mother and sister that genuine breakthroughs began to occur. “Then my sister got loaded when my mom was staying with her and really went for it with my mom,” she explained. This moment allowed for a cathartic release that ultimately brought the family closer, even amidst their shared trauma.

The dialogue between Stone and Cooper highlights significant generational struggles within families, confronting painful histories while seeking healing paths forward. It serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities involved in family relationships, especially in the context of trauma, and the journey toward resolution and peace. Through her discussions, Stone continues to shed light on personal experiences that resonate with many seeking to navigate their own complex family histories.