Andrew Pierce: 'I Met My Birth Mother & She Didn’t Want To Know Me' | This Morning

They make up some of the most emotional TV moments of all time. But as journalist Andrew Pierce recently found out, not all family reunions are like the tear-jerking scenes we see on-screen. Almost 50 years after his biological mother left him in a children's home just weeks after he was born, Andrew decided it was the right time to track her down finally. But what followed was an extraordinary set of twists and turns - leading him on a journey across the UK to find the answers he desperately wanted.
Broadcast on 17/05/2024
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[@lynnkalles2055]

I met my birth mother when i was 55 and she was 71. She was a waste of my time and refused to introduce me to her 5 other children of whom she raised. She claims she can't remember my biological fathers name. 😢 i feel like some of us are better off not knowing thier birth parents.

[@galaxy98765]

To lynn: You are a far better person than she is. I am so, so sorry that she treated you like that. Don't let her define who you are. ❤❤❤

[@stanzim7612]

I’m sorry you were treated that way. It had nothing to do with you it’s all about her mess and it’s her loss

[@bbuzz1687]

She's probably lying about your father. Try finding him.

[@halalpolice7544]

I’m so sorry that happened to you. I’m curious if you tried to introduce yourself to them and how they reacted?

[@ivanabear8824]

very true i have a similar story

[@lynhanna917]

I met my birthmother when i was 34. One of the first things she said was if she had the opportunity to abort me she would have. I said back at ya. Too bad for her i had two beautiful children and five grandchildren that she never wanted to know. There are reasons why some people aren't worthy of having children. She was one of them..

[@BlackStump172]

Your two children and your five grandchildren are blessed to not have that person in their lives . You know the truth and can move forward and leave her in the murk behind .

[@Robbie-fn4dj]

That's sad , but maybe a blessing in disguise, who would want a parent with those thoughts

[@mssdn8976]

You are so fortunate that you were adopted, what a vicious comment she made

[@bernadettemurray8260]

Horrific thing to say, glad you were cared for by someone else, with your children and grandchildren.

[@nielszindel1151]

What a thing to say to a living person. Delia Morris

[@kdclothes]

What a beautiful soul you are. I gave up my son for adoption. I was 17 and my parents were going to throw me out of their house if I kept my son. I tried to rebel. But found that I couldn't even get a car or a job or rent anything to live in. I put him up for adoption. Hard to do. And when he turned 18, I did all I could do to find him. But where I lived, adoption is still looked at as shameful and we were foolishly kept from each other by the law. I then took a dna test as I wanted to know more about my family. All the secrets they kept. First thing I find is that I have a grand daughter. She and I connected. and she gave me my son's information. I contacted me and he was awful to me. So I apologized to him for bothering him. A month or so later, he contacted me and apologized. He was angry because his parents did not tell him he was adopted and he felt he was lied to. They meant no harm. They are older and religious and believed he would be harmed by some harlot who gave birth to him. We are now very connected. He has two little darling girls. I only get to see them on video calls as I live in Italy now and they are in the states. I love how his family raised him. He is good and kind and gentle. I love his wife and my grandchildren. I hope one day to actually meet. I can't just jump on a plane because I am fighting cancer at the moment and they are not wealthy. But my ability to fight hard with my illness is based on the love I receive from them. Mine has ended well.

[@lynnyhen]

You too are a beautiful soul. I hope you meet your son and that you beat cancer! ♥

[@sunkat76]

Kathaerine, I wish you every continued success in your life. You sound lovely and I am glad you have made the connection you have with your son and grandkids albeit at arms length. Ask, belive and recive. Visualise your remission. Visualise your meeting up in person happily. I wish you well. Truly. I also wish your son and his family happiness too.

[@whateverwhatever6496]

Glad you were able to find your son in your lifetime. A Gift it is.

[@dinaworkman306]

Alison Hammond has been chosen because of diversity, no such thing now as a white slim educated British man.

[@60Airflyte]

Thank you for your sacrifice of giving birth to your son and giving him a chance at life. My son is adopted and I’m grateful to his birth mother every day. He found his bio family but his mother didn’t want a relationship (I think she was ashamed though she didn’t need to be) but he does have one with his siblings. She died last year but she died knowing he turned out well.

[@user-jh8sm2ph5e]

My married birth parents relinquished me in the early 1970's. The only time I spoke to my birth mother she said they would stand at the door (of my bedroom) and say 'she is not for us'. She went on to have another 4 children which she 'kept'. I managed to contact her in my 30's and she also didn't want to know me. Tbh, at that time she was promised that I would never be able to find her - at a time before the internet. I have no personality before this neglect/abandonment, there was no me before the trauma of being discarded - for no reason. They both had jobs, she had a little car, had a house, etc, etc. But, none the less, I have created a good and happy life for myself with the love of my adopted father and grandparents who doted on me, and with my husband and sons who love me very much.

[@Beruthiel45]

💖💖💖

[@leaveittothediva]

I suppose you can count yourself lucky that you weren't one of the four she kept, because in all honesty, the woman sounds like she has serious issues, and being brought up by someone like that destroys you in ways you can only imagine.

[@user-jh8sm2ph5e]

@@leaveittothediva Yes, I agree. Whilst I was being adopted/relinquished, my mother was actually pregnant with my full sister (which is unfathomable to me), she was one of the children they kept. By a chance in a million I had contact with this full sibling very briefly on FB and by all accounts she did not fare so well.

[@leaveittothediva]

@@user-jh8sm2ph5e God love you, that's terrible. But believe me, it's something that doesn't surprise me one bit.

[@user-jh8sm2ph5e]

@@leaveittothediva Thank you for listening to me. All the best.x

[@c.2538]

We adopted our son as an infant. You’d be surprised how many birth mothers are actually on the older side. A lot of them are just making mature and rational decisions to put their baby first and give them the best life possible. Our birth mother is our hero & our son knows that. I’ll never have a bad word to say about her.

[@BustedFlush7096]

God Bless!

[@user-mc8di2ch9d]

Precious Love.

[@sandyg7291]

My husband met his biological cousins a couple of years ago after nearly 50 years of searching. His mother had already passed. His parents married after he was adopted and had a daughter. My husband spoke via phone to his father who denied his existence (and it’s possible he may never have known). His full blood sister knows of him and wants nothing to do with him. Thankfully though, his beautiful cousins and their spouses have welcomed him literally with open arms and adore him. There’s so much more to the story, but my gratitude firstly goes to his mother for choosing to give birth to him, his adoptive parents who raised this beautiful man, and to his cousins who’ve helped him feel complete.

[@KathyPriestley-dn7eq]

I adopted my son from my sister 28 years ago she had family problems and she couldn't cope he's the youngest of 7 in 28 years he's never received anything from her. He's autistic and has severe mental health issues but I wouldn't change him for the world he's mine

[@beverleyreid7572]

God bless you.

[@bridgetmavuma2002]

God bless you❤️🙏🏽

[@Ka-Iank]

I have a friend who was adopted from Korea by an American family. When she was in her 20’s she found her birth mother and arranged a flight to Korea to meet up. When she got to Korea, her bio mother had a change of heart and refused to meet. She felt rejected and abandoned again! Fortunately, she has a supportive mother who didn’t turn her back on her.

[@user-pl3yo9cq5o]

Would have been nice if she had informed her before she paid for the flight. It may have been her family stopping her.

[@Ka-Iank]

@@user-pl3yo9cq5o No, they talked and the bio mom agreed to meet. But last minute, she (bio mom) had cold feet.

[@user-pl3yo9cq5o]

@@Ka-Iank exactly may have been family influences when they found out who was coming to visit.

[@Ka-Iank]

@@user-pl3yo9cq5o I believe the bio mom didn’t want to face her mistake.

[@user-mc8di2ch9d]

How sad.

[@claireb9127]

Thank goodness for his Mum and Dad who adopted him, they sound wonderful 😊

[@margueritespringer3687]

Yes his adoptive parents must have been wonderful

[@Vid7872]

Adoption is amazing. Can you imagine how unfortunate his life would’ve been if he were raised by his single mother? No father, no family unit. Children have a right to grow up in a family unit and adoption does just that.

[@serraangel7465]

He should have been happy with that.

[@glendarowland51]

I can relate to Andrew’s story. I too was adopted and never thought I’d find my birth family in my lifetime, age 70+ now. I found a half brother through a DNA test and then a half sister 2 1/2 yrs older than me. My birth mother had 4 children to 4 different men and died at age 44. All bar one of her children were either adopted, fostered, or give to the maternal grandmother to raise. I’m in contact with my 2 birth half siblings, although we haven’t met face to face yet. I was the lucky one, like Andrew, I was adopted into a loving family.

[@extraordinarywomennextchapter]

So many different stories of what might have happened….I was forced by my parents to give up my son. I finally found him, 32 years after giving him up. We’ve now had a close relationship for almost 15 years. He thankfully, also had wonderful adoptive parents, whom I credit with rising him to become a wonderful man he became. We all consider ourselves very blessed to have each other in our lives. Honestly, I’ve never gotten over the loss of my son. Every story is unique and different and many very, very sad.

[@susanmarshall1186]

My mum was the same, we met the child that was adopted several years ago now and it all went to well, I’m so happy for both my mum and her.

[@river8760]

That’s extremely sad your parents forced you to give up your son. How traumatic 😢 and unfair. I’m sorry you have experienced that pain. I’m adopted and my birth ‘mom’ is awful. I had hoped she’d be someone kind like you. Your son is lucky to know you. ❤

[@caroline24764]

So sorry you were forced by your parents to give up your son, that's dreadful

[@nancyleo3987]

I'm so sorry he was rejected by his birth mother. i was reunited with my son after 35 years and it has been the greatest blessing in my life. I met my son'e adoptive parents and we all get along. There is no jealousy. As my son says, there is no limit to love. It can expand to embrace everyone.

[@chrispasson1940]

'There is no limit to love' .. Thankyou, i will try to remember that

[@edrenajones5960]

As the 6th of 7, when I asked mom how She divided her live amongst us. She said Love doesn’t divide, it multiplies.

[@MegF142857]

Adoptions can be open from the start, which is much more common now. That unlimited love, as you describe. Adoptions used to be closed & secretive, but that doesn't have to be the way are handled.

[@lizziebkennedy7505]

What role models you are!

[@kathydesigner]

So many mothers still desperate to rekindle their babies 🕯🕯🕯🙏🙏🙏🙏💐💐💐🌺

[@jamiecurry]

"It's my punishment." Yep, that quick-triggered tears here. Blessings to all, especially the wonderful couple who'd made Andrew their own.

[@becky1993x]

Adoption is a blessing in disguise in some cases but not every

[@TheApocalypseM]

O​@@becky1993x

[@cadlac1533]

Brilliant story.

[@avivacohen8785]

She was a special person who did the right thing for him

[@nicolemurphy2629]

What a lovely son to have ❤

[@rubydawn1]

my sister had a child at 16 and was forced to give him up she always hoped to contact him when the laws changed she was told by the social workers they had the information and would contact him to see if he was interested in knowing her. He was not so she was glad to hear he was well but sad after so much hope.

[@joannegregory3024]

Exactly these programmes only focus on positive cases which are quite rare

[@rubydawn1]

@@joannegregory3024 for my sister she did not get to meet him but she found out he was doing very well she was told he was a very successful business man and was married with 3 children so she was so happy to hear that.

[@mjones4083]

Very sad but he may well change his mind as he gets older . Hope so for your sister's sake .

[@rubydawn1]

@@mjones4083 she passed away but she was so happy to hear he was doing well I remember she was 16 and I was 14 she would ask me to hitchhike in the freezing cold of winter to go visit him she was allowed to do that for a year she had to have an adult sign for him to keep him nobody would do it.

[@gnostic268]

There are real issues with children being adopted. AP has a "pro-adoption" story that centers his birthmother as bad and his adoptive parents as fabulous. This is one instance of a successful adoption placement. It doesn't take into account that most adoptees feel a tremendous sense of loss of identity and psychological issues from being separated from their birth mother. Society is responsible for the shame (he is older) surrounding illegitimate births/single mothers and the fact that the biological father gets to skip off without a care in the world. Despite AP's unhappy reunion with his birthmother, he still searched for her so he obviously wasn't a hundred percent fine with just being grafted onto his adoptive family's tree and wholly assuming their identity and history.

[@AmericanAmy]

At least he found her I’m sorry he didn’t get all the answers hewanted. I am thankful he had good parents that adopted him.

[@agnescraig2912]

Sadly this was quite a problem during the war and the women took their secrets to the grave because of societal pressure. Very sad I personally know of two such women.

[@BlackStump172]

Very sad , but most are happy .

[@catinthehat906]

He could probably confirm who his birth father was by doing the Ancestry DNA test for £80.

[@Vid7872]

Adoption is wonderful. Can you imagine the life of poverty and frustration he would’ve had being raised by a single mother? Adoption gives children a chance at a decent life with a mother and a father who want them. Another happy ending

[@Bindi728]

To Betty & George! You raised an amazing soul in Andrew! We watch him from down under snd appreciate his work x what a brilliant book this is going to be !

[@user-ql5yb2hs2p]

My Irish husband went through the same thing!! Born in an orphanage in Waterford Ireland. The story of his situation and how it played out over the years is extremely questionable and unfortunate yet he has thrived through the many painful events that occurred.

[@marjron447]

I adopted a child who I love with all my heart. Yet he is now estranged from me. I would be only too happy if his own birth mother embraced him but she didn't. For some reason this rejection affected my son who blames me. I'd do anything for his happiness and our reconciliation.

[@Threadbow]

He has lost trust in humanity. It's a primal wound. Rejection by his birth mother probably left him feeling unloved and unable to trust your love. I hope you can let him know you will always be there for him, whenever he's ready to talk. Tell him just how amazing he is and seek professional help from adoption counselling.

[@athenarockabilly6245]

God bless you

[@ZooZoo293]

He's angry, confused and you are the person he loves most, so he takes it out on you because he knows you won't hurt him. Please be patient with him and as another poster suggested, get some counseling to help you death with in a healthy way. When your son has battled his own demons, he knows you'll be there to bandage his wounds. ❤

[@bridgetmavuma2002]

Sending you both healing and prayers❤️🙏🏽

[@lorrmurrcoch]

My spouse was raised by a family, not his biological parents. When we found his mother, she refused any talk of her past or my spouses father. We wanted to know if there were health concerns. We discovered there was a twin to my husband (!!!) and another sister, also all given up. Unfortunately, all 3 children given up had horrible, abusive upbringings. The good thing is, though, all 3 children have met since and are wonderful parents to their children.

[@simplydanlrene4276]

What a good man he is. Many would be angry and he gives her grace and peace. Great show.

[@szendrich]

What a moving story. I always liked Andrew Pierce as a public figure, but listening to him now I like him ten times more. What a kind, understanding man. So much empathy, so forgiving, and a heart filled with so much gratitude. I raise my hat to him. I hope his book is a resounding success.

[@marylacy1555]

Lovely man. Mx

[@melaniekendall4903]

Course you do 😂😂

[@bereal6590]

I can appreciate his story but he is a horrible person and this story doesn't change that

[@maureengladwell1317]

Is it really nice it hasn't got care and compassion only for himself he was obviously adopted by very rich people who brought him up to be the snob he is now if you listen to anything he's saying for most things he says it's not about helping poor people it's like stamping on them never got a good word for anybody who is not a tory I feel sorry for him yes because that must have been quite awful for him I think lot of people would have a made out I didn't know him as well

[@szendrich]

@@user-iy1sx6wk9e Thank you for that info. People assume that just because a person has a posh-sounding accent they were born wealthy. If he is a Tory, he's got a right to his opinion and shouldn't be deplored for it, as some comments here have shown. Very sad. I believe what makes a person is how he behaves in life and this man has shown he comes from a good place.

[@triplet3023]

Andrew, you are amazing for the way you have accepted and handled this reunion and that definitely is due to your parents who raised you. They sound amazing! I am a triplet, born in the midlands post war (five older siblings born within an eleven year period). I was separated from them all at the age of just over six. They had been moved out of London sometime during the war. My father, born in London and lived in Kensington, had never really had to bear financial responsibility for a growing family left home sometime after we were born. He never sent money home to support us and everyone at that time was financially destitute. My mother gave me to another family when my triplet brothers and I were just over six (never, ever having been separated before). That was hard and affected us all. I grew up understanding the reason why she did what she did. Fortunately, we were reunited 25 years later (at the age of around 31) and the connection was immediate (with all my siblings). It was virtually the first time my siblings were reunited under one roof in all that time. When I was separated, my oldest sister fought desperately to keep me with them (she was only 15 at the time and I thought she was an adult). There has always been that missing piece (even after reconnecting); however, I have always felt that it made me more empathetic about others. I am 76 now and live in a different country and we are all (the remaining living siblings and families) very close so we have been very lucky in that respect. My parents were Catholic too. Thank you for sharing your story.

[@chrispasson1940]

i feel enormous sadness that you triplets were separated and for so long. What was the world thinking in that time?

[@mssdn8976]

I found both my birth parents, no longer together. Neither would meet me. I found that I have half siblings, but I’m still searching for them. These people aren’t my real parents, my adoptive parents are my real parents

[@bluegrasshack3810]

5/23/24: Your last few words nailed it. My story is similar. My lovely adoptive parents ARE my parents. Best wishes!

[@tonkysue207]

How lucky his parents were to get him.what a gem of a man.

[@pamelaweaver3981]

After I had my own child, I was finally brave enough to 'look' for my birth mother. I discovered I grew up in the same village as my birth mother and never knew it. She was the best friend of my adoptive mother. Sadly she had died. Age 70 I found my half brother. We had gone to the same school and youth club! We got to know each other in the two years before he died. My father is still unknown to me. He was an American GI and probably died on the beaches in Normandy around D-Day.

[@christina3521]

Don’t give up. If you do a commercial dna test like 23 & Me or Ancestry there will be a chance others in your father’s extended family will have also have in the States. It could very well lead to identifying him. Best wishes to you.

[@halalpolice7544]

As above said, definitely don’t give up and take DNA. You will probably find some of the extended family members at least

[@bmbutler2]

I’m an adopted adult. The teenager who gave birth to me thought more of me to give me a better life than a 16 year old could. My mother and father are and always will be my PARENTS. The fairy tale of “what might have been: is just that - a fairy tale. Adoption has been made to be a horrible thing. It isn’t. It is the most selfless thing a woman can do. So many children today have been raised by teenagers and live with the scars of that when they would have been better off being brought up by a mother and father.

[@faydove]

But the facts are you don't know where they are going. So you could be setting them up for a horific life. Selfless ? No,utterly selfish.

[@sylviekins]

@@faydoveeasy to be so critical sitting here in 2024, but in the 1950s and 1960s it was a different story.

[@rrickarr]

bmbutler: Perhaps. But those of us born before 1970--there was such thing as forced adoption, so it had nothing to do with the birth mother doing the best thing. It was forced, babies removed from the room the minute they were delivered. And then, people automatically assume that adoptive parents are all wonderful people. Some adoptive parents can be horrible so much that we break all contact with them!

[@user-np2dp8ck4j]

Well said 👏

[@jennywren8937]

​@@rrickarrTwo I know of were adopted to mend marriages, but it didn't work.

[@susanbrowne5544]

Such a nice man your adoptive parents did a wonderful job.

[@Blaze23557]

He promoted the 💉

[@joannebaker4925]

A nice man really! He and Angela Levin in the same boat degrading and lying on others. God doesn't like ulgy and he ain't to keen about pretty either. Andrew need to check his integrity at the door. 🤔🤔.

[@jennywren8937]

​@@Blaze23557Thanks, I didn't know that.

[@gerardk51]

@@Blaze23557 He promoted the... I'm sorry I don't understand.

[@Blaze23557]

@@gerardk51 the jab

[@carolfuller2941]

My birth mother didn’t want to know me, that’s their choice, I guess they had their reasons in the first place, my adopted parents were fabulous, generous and loving who could ask for more, I loved them both very much and they were mine ❤

[@allesasmart]

I am proud of any mom who keeps their baby, goes through full term and delivers a healthy gift from God. IF that baby is given to another family to raise, then it is all beautiful. Brave mom.

[@OrangeySky11]

And yet, obviously, you DID ask for more. Curiosity unalived the cat so it’s lucky you weren’t born feline.

[@nicolemurphy2629]

I have wondered if my Dad is my 'biological Dad' but he had me at 18 and I don't think they'd have let an 18 year old adopt 😂

[@nicolemurphy2629]

@@allesasmart I am proud of all women who every day make tough decisions....!! Whatever choice they make... Not everyone is as maternal as I was blessed to be..... So many women face so many challenges... Just try not to be a Drug Addict or an Alcoholic because it wrecks lives..... 💖

[@maril1379]

Your adoptive parents were/are your real parents

[@cathyg7767]

Andrew is such a lovely gentle man. I always love listening to him. His adoptive parents did an amazing job looking after him and helping him turn into such a wonderful human being. God bless you Andrew ❤

[@bereal6590]

No he is not!

[@Magazinelady]

I am happy for Andrew. He had great adoptive parents. He was on a mission to find his birth mother. He doesn't sound bitter about the birth mother's reaction. It is a sad story.

[@mamasue2545]

Oh Andrew, you’re such a lovely man. I’m so sorry you didn’t find the answers you wanted but celebrate the fact you had a happy upbringing with such loving parents. I just want to send you a big hug

[@FannyShmellar]

He’s not a lovely man sadly, his politics are callous and selfish, like every Tory. He deserved some answers from his Mother though.

[@marylacy1555]

Still a lovely man

[@cathynewyork7918]

@@FannyShmellar A person can be a lovely man even if his policies are not what you like. YOU are not the decider of the politics of "lovely men."

[@FannyShmellar]

@@cathynewyork7918 You can’t be a lovely man yet think it’s correct to vilify and demonise those suffering most in society and also think it’s right to protect the very wealthiest in society in order that they get richer. He’s an awful person in general, the way he goes after people is despicable. No, he’s not a lovely man.

[@cathynewyork7918]

@@FannyShmellar Many people in society "who suffer most" failed to get an education and a good job - that is NOT Andrew's fault.

[@TheAccidentalViking]

There was a big documentary about this just recently. The women were made to feel so bad about having the child that they saw the child as 'sin itself' and the church encouraged them to reject the child. Imagine. So much pain could have been avoided if these heartless, ruthless people hadn't been in charge of people's lives and given so much power.

[@Naomi-dp9mg]

Andrew you have a gentle soul.

[@elizabethtobin6894]

Who could not be proud to find out Andrew was their son.🌺

[@nicolad8822]

🤣

[@CalifornianScot]

Wow! Such cutting sarcasm! 😂😂

[@dolceanstar]

Me

[@rowancrew2934]

Me.

[@CalifornianScot]

Me, I’d be horrified to have produced such a toxic individual.

[@josephrocha142]

He was very lucky to have been adopted by loving parents. Look how he turned out. So well spoken and talented.

[@Aine24601]

Almost identical thing happened to me. I also went to school run by Sisters of Nazareth. My daughter did Ancestry and didnt tell me My natural mother is still alive, has huge family, my father told their children all about me on his deathbed. They never knew a thing, she says she HATES ME but i doubt that. Refuses to see me completely I had WONDERFUL ADOPTED FAMILY. Thank God. They were my mum and dad just like Andrew said about his. Even though it was not a good ending it was great and im glad i found out. A) because i look like someone😊 and B) because i know the truth. She wasnt a youngster, she was in mid 20s had already had another child by another man....her sister who i met hasnt seen her in 65 years because my 'mother' had an affair with her husband. That side of the family know nothing of the other side and are lovely. Its actually nice to know the truth and i can honestly say having such wonderful adopted parents neans i was honestly not upset at all. Shes the one with the problem not me 😊

[@user-xo4rx8ov5o]

The blessing of being adopted is you were wanted and selected, that's a blessing.

[@nancyschaillee7656]

Sounds like a blessing you were adopted ♡

[@rosahacketts1668]

So pleased she changed her mind and agreed to meet him.

[@ciganyweaverandherperiwink6293]

I was deeply moved (and I have to say, deeply baffled at the same time) by the extraordinary generosity Andrew extended towards his mother who continued to treat him appallingly both during their first meeting and forever after. I cannot relate and it's exactly that which kept me completely engaged in reading his story; I was compelled and wanted so much to understand his thinking and how he could be so kind and sweet to a monster of a woman.

[@cathycooper5606]

I was adopted as a baby , I traced my natural mother and she didn’t want to know , rejected again 😢 I was adopted by middle class educated parents , financially we were lucky but there were mental health issues in my adopted family. I have the most wonderful sister who is also adopted. My natural mother was never my real mother though

[@maryrosed8475]

A lovely story. He was lucky to have such good parents. I like him and he appreciated his parents.

[@ileanamuntean7338]

What a lovely human being Andrew is.

[@CarolMartin-xm1ri]

I am so pleased you had a lovely upbringing.

[@beverleyroberts1025]

Sounds like that lady, his real mother and learned to shut down. A hard decision, and sounded like a painful one for her. It's so sad that people that in those days having a child out of wedlock was frowned upon. But honestly, people and happiness are so much more important. Hopefully our minds are larger now, so that we except without judgement. But this man had such lovely parents and a good life. So his real mother gave such a gift to the adoptive parents. Some things are meant to be. What a lovely man too.x 🌸☀️🌸

[@mrennie5158]

Surely his “real” mother was the woman who raised him? The “birth” mother you mean not the “real” mother. That title is reserved for the woman who mothered!

[@SuzLa1]

When I was growing up all I heard were the stories about how women were forced to give up their children and always care about them, but I'd never heard of stories like mine where my birth mother had lots of children by different men she didn't care about, and didn't care about me when I found her. She even tried to blackmail me to give her info about my biological father in return for having contact with me.

[@cynthiamckenzie1034]

Your adoptive parents chose you ❤❤❤❤💯❣️

[@geraldinebyrne8560]

As a a social worker I helped trace many birth parents on behalf of their biological children Some were successful and a happy ending Many reunions like Andrew's were a heartache and a disappointment The parents of these children had a variety of reasons for giving up their babies some coerced and some that made a rational choice under their circumstances Perhaps many lived with unacknowledged grief they did not face However to be confronted by the child that was given up or taken from them after many years conjures up forgotten or half forgotten felling's of regret or anger that they were not able to keep their child However for some biological parents giving up their child was a conscious decision that made sense at the time and they do not wish to relive it or explain themselves

[@karyne826]

I think your comment is very accurately put.

[@user-gu8er2id2u]

I think everyone who has been given up by mothers thinks that when they are reunited with their mothers they will find a warm living story about why they were given up but sadly this is not true far too often.

[@Sarah-xw2ff]

When he said the mother didn't ask him about himself but wanted to tell him all about her life I thought, " high narcissism". We have a number of those in my family to be sure.

[@dianakircher4565]

It’s not narcissistic personality disorder necessarily. Guilt, shame, denial are strong emotions.

[@MsBox5]

@@dianakircher4565 Stop making excuses for women who mistreat their adult offspring. She a narc. No care or interest because her ego would be bruised to hear anything that would trigger her.

[@MsBlueRyans]

@@MsBox5 💯love your comment.

[@dee2251]

@@MsBox5you’re not a psychiatrist or a psychologist and therefore can’t diagnose.

[@susanyates4233]

My bm was the same.

[@judithkeane5551]

I am so glad he has come forward and said this. Dispite the stuff on long lost families for most of us who trace our birth family it is not always a happy ending. Often the birth mother has had to move on and may want no contact with the child. Even when people do get together there is no shared history just genetic link. Well done Andrew, many of us will feel less rejected now !

[@carmel-on8im]

For years i have been a fan of Andrew. He made me laugh so often on what the papers say on sky uk. You are admired Andrew from the land down under.

[@karenmorton8657]

I love this man , he speaks the truth on morning TV

[@kathleensmith644]

He is not alone. Lots of mothers don’t want their children. He is lucky he found someone to love him.

[@amys5669]

She visited him for 2 and a half years in the orphanage. There is more to her story she chose not to share.

[@bettymermaid8346]

@@amys5669 Yes she loved him otherwise she wouldn't have visited him in the orphanage. Am sure knowing that makes him feel good she did that. Maybe his half siblings will get in touch now. Am glad Andrew as able to go to her funeral, that was completing the story for him.

[@karenharper3814]

AHH, my goodness. I'm adopted, found my birth mother - she wanted nothing to do with me - broke my heart twice over! 😭

[@bluegrasshack3810]

5/23/24: so sorry. I’m adopted and waited to search when I thought my birth parents might be gone. They were. I have a good relationship with half sisters on each side.

[@letitiakearney2423]

I think poor Margaret loved him and visited him for over two years in the orphanage so there was probably something besides having him out of wedlock that was giving her a lot of guilt. I don’t think she really rejected him because she agreed to meet him but she looked very old in that photograph and he respected her faith and attended her funeral. I think it’s quite a lovely ending although sad.

[@veronicaknight5068]

My mother a little Irish Colleen ,left Northern Ireland and went to the Sister's of Nazareth in Cheltenham , she didn't stay there ,leaving to have me in Bristol, where I was put up for adoption by the nuns at the Catholic Children's Society My adoption was wonderful ,my Mum and Dad gave me a warm loving family life and a privileged education. My school,a convent, was set in beautiful grounds,nuns would teach us, and they were very strict.I remember an occasion where we had the chance to become penpals with school children in Ireland I had started writing to a girl my age in a Catholic school,a convent,,and all my letters were intercepted by the nuns as i assume hers were and I was told I couldn't write to her anymore, just like that !! There was so much secrecy around , and no body answering my questions, no explanations made,it was a case of,,well when the nuns spoke you didn't question anything ! My pen pals surname was Connelly

[@catspyjamas9959]

I hope one day you will find her x

[@clivejames5058]

It's not just Catholicism. My Mum had no religion (nominally CofE) but still felt society would not approve.

[@patriciaward6960]

I found my bio fathers family after 55 years of searching. They wanted nothing to do with me. Wouldn't even tell me which brother was my father. I always knew they wouldn't want me. Thankfully my sister's story was much better.

[@bettymermaid8346]

Oh that is so sad. I feel for you.. The brothers bonded together. Am glad you have your sister. God Bless and leave those men to wallow in their old age. You sound lovely and they are not worthy of you.

[@juliestannard5538]

Sounds like you’re better off without them

[@kassilandis1]

Not every mother wants to be found. He is acting fine, but the twice rejection is brutal.

[@katjaxxx7353]

The mum is a coward bc she doesn’t want to deal with it

[@maryk3458]

Life is not a Hallmark movie with a happy ending. Respcet the prvacy of the woman, since you dont know the circumstaqnces of the conception.

[@alexwyler4570]

The truth of the conception could be much worst

[@maryk3458]

@@katjaxxx7353 shame on you! It must have been a terrible burden for her to give a child away, but dont dare call her names. She could have aborted him instead.

[@agnescraig2912]

@@katjaxxx7353 Please stop judging his Mum vent your venom on someone else. Those who liked your comments please read mine.

[@kayeprescott8228]

Reminded me of the true story of “Philomena” made into a movie and starring Dame Judi Dench. Andrew’s story sounds like a book I’d like to read❣️

[@bevanbuckwheatshea5520]

My birth mother wants nothing to do with me. She is not even worth thinking about.

[@rrickarr]

I am with you.

[@river8760]

They can be totally horrible people. I’m sorry that happened to you, it happened to me too. Trust me, we are better off.

[@lechenaultia5863]

Wishing you a happy life 🌻 People can be blissful or sad in marriages or alone, with or without families. Let your mother go and focus on building your own loving blanket of family and friends🌻

[@Sinnerboy88]

@@river8760 I can tell you for a fact, adult adoptees can sometimes be horrible people too. I've seen birth mothers and their families who welcomed adult adoptees with open arms only to be subjected to years of psychological abuse and terror and misery by those very adult adoptees. I'm by no means saying in every case, but I think some adoptees can have a lot of deep seated emotions and yes, sometimes bear a grudge for their "rejection" and wish to cause as much trouble for their birth mother and her family as possible.. or, maybe they end up feeling jealous that they're not getting the same treatment as their birth mother's other children.. or if the birth mother is more financially well off, think they are entitled to money etc to "make up" for their adoption. Not all mothers want to be found and honestly it's probably for the best in a lot of cases. In my experience, reunions rarely end happily, especially those where contact is maintained. Everything is usually fine for a while, during the "honeymoon period" then it often turns to disaster. In this case, the biological mother is a very elderly lady here has a family of her own, a husband, children etc.. who know nothing of this.. inconsiderately throwing something like this onto her in the latter years of her life can't be a good thing. Mr Pierce has a family of his own, which he claims to be perfectly happy with.. so maybe be thankful for what you have, best to leave well enough alone. You can't have everything all the time. The only narcissism I see is from his side.. there's a lot of talk about him and what he wants.. not one piece of consideration for the old lady or her family's point of view here too.. this is something dug up from half a century previously, from an entirely different era, and just exposed to everyone in her life with which she has absolutely zero control of.. there's a lot of talk about the adoptee and their desires and feelings, but what about the birth mother and her family? What about their lives? What about their feelings? Just arriving on her doorstep out of nowhere is in itself very self centred, selfish and inconsiderate. Think of the consequences that alone could cause in her life. Her family could be torn apart. I've seen instances where birth mothers had complete psychological breakdowns over the stress of adoptees seeking contact or taking inconsiderate actions like described. I think there should be more consideration for the birth mother's choices and more laws to only allow this kind of contact if the birth mother agrees to it.. not just the adoptee. I have a lot of experience with this area and I would have once felt the same as most people here and had A LOT more sympathy for adult adoptees. But after two decades of experience with adoption reunions I have to say, my feelings have changed, and in my opinion, just going by what I've personally seen and experienced, I think in the vast majority of cases it's best left alone.. what is to be gained is not worth the damage and disappointment it often causes. I just disagree with Mr Pierce's urging to do it without massive consideration.. it's not something to be taken lightly as he would suggest. Besides the point, these adoptions from 50+ years ago were done differently to present day.. while not in this particular case, often times many Mothers had no say in the matter, their families often made the decisions for them.. it's an incredibly delicate issue. I find the advice given in this clip to be somewhat careless and not taking into account the complexities each individual situation.

[@river8760]

@@Sinnerboy88 I am not a horrible person, and I went into this with zero expectations. I also told the agency that I didn’t have any issue with my bio ‘Mom’ not wanting to connect with me at all. I never ever treated her with anything but care. It was her choice to be the psychopathic, abusive monster she chose to be to me. So, no, not every adult adoptee is a menace. You’re making a sweeping generalization here.

[@LM20237]

Religious institutions are responsible for so much heartache and pain. I'm glad he had the chance to meet her.

[@jenzabel]

Really he could have been left to a workhouse if the catholic orphanage wasn't there....

[@lookingatdaisies9901]

They were the ones finding babies and opening orphanages actually, in most cultures, you just left them to die, if they were sickly, if they they were illegitimate you left them outside and waited for them to starve.

[@lbazemore585]

Ultimately lack of birth control is responsible for much sorrow.

[@jocelynconvery3462]

Andrew, what a wonderful man you are. I admire your compassion.

[@lisanetgark415]

Brought tears to my eyes. Bless his heart ♥️ I hope that he is able to have a bit of a relationship with his siblings. I want to read his book. Always enjoy him on his TV show.

[@phina8392]

He’s a very lovely man has a nice way about him .

[@sheilathompson1026]

What an extraordinary story and how understanding and forgiving Andrew is and what a credit to his adoptive parents

[@RoseEvansworkstresstosuccess]

Absolutely 💯 Andrew is a credit to his adoptive family

[@michael5265]

I searched and found my birth parents, what I found I didn't like. Can't stand them or my birth family I'm glad I was adopted and went to Australia.

[@MaryElizabethAbrahamian-ui8uu]

Me too honey

[@gilliandianeryan1493]

My son was adopted when he was three and a half .It,s a long story ,but I was forty two ,when I had my son .It was on Doctors advice ,as they said he need to be in a family .I was beyond heart broken .We met again in 2018 ,we gad both been lookinf for one another ,although I had letters and photos of him until he was fifteen . I was beyond happy when I meet him ,but I knew that he wouldn,t want to see me again .I tried to jeep in touch ,but within three weeks ,he started to ask me for money .Thus went on for about six months ,when ge started to say things then say he didn t say them ,he would just say ,your convused .He didn t ask one question about his birth family ,it was all anout money ..We had a terrible row ,and haven t spoken since .It seems the person I have loved the mist in my life ,didn,t love me .Sorry about the spelling .trouble with my tablet .

[@bettymermaid8346]

Am glad you got to meet him that is the important thing. Maybe its just as well you didn't know him earlier as he does not sound like he has empathy for anyone. This money issue is not right. I hope you made a will and left him out of it. God Bless and enjoy your life now. He doesn't deserve you.

[@gilliandianeryan1493]

Than you for your kind words .All I wanted was to see my son again .I was seventy one ,when we met up again ,which was six years ago .He had always been in my will ,but he has blocked me now ,so it is his loss .After eight weeks of meeting him ,he wanted me to be a guranto for him .He could have taken out a lot of money ,and left me to try and pay it back .​@@bettymermaid8346

[@lynnehughes1400]

I haven't seen my daughter from my first marriage for many many years I ruined my first marriage and regret that I never tried to find her sooner I think about her all the time.

[@moonlightshadow2664]

I think it's possible that his mother has guilt ,a degree of denial, and last but not least, a sense of inferiority, and a feeling of intimidation for her highly intelligent, accomplished son. It's probably just psychologically 'easier' for her to maintain her distance and the lifestyle she's been used to. I love Andrew.

[@707tich]

Well thought/said

[@allesasmart]

Well said. Possible his mom was raised in abuse and narcasist behaviors.

[@agnescraig2912]

Sadly I disagree with your comment "sense of inferiority" as his mother seemed a genuine person and based her decision on Sin which ruled her life. Do not think "inferiority" was ever on her mind which is a new educated phrase. Sometimes people should not be using derogatory terms. Am and Indian Catholic too and know why I make this comment.

[@707tich]

@@agnescraig2912 And your comment is welcomed. Andrew story on the show and therefore book is about starting open dialogs.

[@moonlightshadow2664]

@agnescraig......I think you may misunderstand what I mean. I think his birth mother may, rightly or wrongly, have a current day sense of inferiority/lack of confidence, due to her son's obvious great accomplishments etc and she may perhaps feel nervous and out of her depth. She shouldn't ofcourse, but I'm sure her mind is in turmoil about the whole scenario.

[@markhenry6486]

for so many people, when someone says something to the tune of "all mothers are special", what comes to their mind isn't what most people expect.

[@gilly0264]

Wonderful he solved his mystery❤

[@Sezfluffy]

I have psychotherapy atm as my Dad is a narcissist and its so painful when you release it all, but a lot of people have these issues and we have to work through these to be healed

[@user-us8qe7od6t]

I am glad you are you.

[@sharonensor7471]

Peace and Love to you , lovely man

[@caroldixon3124]

I love Andrew Pierce and this bought me to tears. Amanda Platell is a very special friend to have supported Andrew

[@skylerhempsall2934]

Mine left when I was 3, I tracked her down and she didn't want to know me either. Damaged me for life, I now trust very few people.

[@ashleysavillewatson1748]

Thank you Andrew. New lease on life ahead for you, for crossing this bridge and sharing this with us

[@user-bb2oe2hw8i]

Aww Andrew your such a lovely person, I always watch you on tv but this is the best bits of you here, I'm glad you found your mum, pity she didn't ask about you, but yes could be guilt. Watching this clip of you has brought tears to my eyes I'm sure you have had your moments too, deep down I'm sure your mum was very proud of you even though she maybe didn't show it or tell you.❤

[@heatherwalker4818]

What a lovely man.

[@user-hi3oh2yw9j]

I met my birth mother after 14 years of living with relatives. She did not show me any love whatsoever. I took care of her and my elder sister and her children, but they treated me like trash. My mother died in 2019 of cancer. I could not be with her as I was living in another country. I paid all her medical bills but did not feel any emotions when she died. Some people are very lucky to have doting mothers.

[@ccgreene1]

The Catholic church has a LOT to answer for...😒

[@geraldinekearney542]

Andrew, when your book becomes available here in Australia I will definitely be purchasing it ❤❤

[@jackomahony9896]

Thank God and his blessed mother he found her and they met. God is so good.

[@KerryHopkins]

Oh my Gosh what a lovely man Andrew Pierce is!!!!! Wow. I’m bowled over how lovely he is.

[@doonewatts7155]

In the 60's and of course before it was the end for 'fallen' women - no jobs, shunned and cut off from family, unable to get a job or somewhere to live all unbeleivable now. My parents faced the shame when I was born illegitimate and had to wait 3 months until they married. My mother's family refused to see me for 6 months. Harsh yes but that was the way it was thank goodness times have changed

[@robertzammit4200]

Found my half siblings at age 68, quite by chance. Wonderful reunion so happy we contacted them.

[@giaatta9303]

I agree Andrew. Betty and George dedication gives me goosebumps Thank you for sharing your story

[@christinewigley2206]

Bless You ANDREW.🙏🙏

[@Sandra-A]

Andrew has turned out to be a very fine man. All is well in the end.

[@lukeronan8842]

What an amazing man, great interview

[@Aida-qy1ts]

So courageous and inspirational. Much love to you Andrew from Upstate NY.

[@notbaltic280]

Am in tears. A most moving narrative.

[@Enlightenment246]

Wow….beautiful story that Andrew survived the ordeal and it’s only his mother that lost out completely.

[@aldrelategan9988]

Have been a big fan of Andrew as a commentator for some time, now I know why. Lovely, well spoken gentleman. What a story!

[@pattyboles1413]

I was blessed to be united with my birth granddaughter when, after 21 years she found me on Facebook. I also was blessed to be accepted by her family.

[@deniseburnside]

What a moving story. Thank you for sharing, Andrew. ❤

[@user-xg3qn8cu9q]

Andrew, You should be so very proud, of who you are, and who you have become. They say...blood is thicker than water! ..haha Am glad, you can turn the page. But have watched, and listened to you, for a long time. All your merits and achievements, are down to you. Thank goodness, your parents were good people, that genuinely loved and cared for you. Stay strong, and true to who you are!

[@nightowl5395]

It's understandable if she didn't feel able to talk in detail about her circumstances or feelings all that time ago...but I find it disheartening, to say the least, on Andrew's behalf that she didn't show any interest in his childhood, upbringing or his subsequent life 😔 ...seems self-centred to me. I am pleased to know he had loving adoptive parents 🤗

[@carolsheenyhailstoneartgra3977]

What a lovely man, so glad his adoptive parents took him. His birth mother didn’t deserve him

[@mrsminnatk3992]

Loving this show from Finland❤