Author Tara Westover’s Incredible Story About Leaving Her Strict Survivalist Family

Bestselling author Tara Westover sat down with Ellen to talk about her compelling memoir, "Educated," and how she escaped from a life with her survivalist parents by pursuing higher education.
#TaraWestover
#Educated
#TheEllenShow

[@angelobartolome6425]

Anyone else just finished the book but are just trying to recollect your thoughts so you are just searching up talks shows with Tara

[@LesyaSachenko]

Angelo Bartolome yep

[@nachuandu9307]

yep thats me

[@brendamoraa1802]

Angelo Bartolome i am almost finishing the book but am scouring the internet for the talkshows she is in to get more perspective and also put a name to a face

[@bronwynnharrison4113]

i literally just finished it a couple minutes ago😩😩

[@amo7588]

Yes!!!!!

[@gabrielarivas586]

Just finished her book. I'm in shock she never got a education and got into Cambridge. Yet I'm here struggling to finish college. Such inspiration.

[@stormyweather8798]

She is veRy bright.

[@agathapoirot5373]

@@stormyweather8798 Yes. I was so impressed how she studied math, algebra etc.

[@zarulluraz7033]

that situation make her a tough fighter!

[@abdulmalikaltaiyeb4850]

Gaby Rivas well most of the story was not true, the way she talked about the accidents and her parents makes no sense

[@adinailiescu1091]

Abdulmalik Altaiyeb i think that’s the whole idea, that it just didn’t make much sense

[@derrickk773]

I'm a guy who is leaving a Mennonite cult. This book has helped me to have clarity on what my obligations to my family are and are not.

[@pasapdub]

BEST OF LUCK TO YOU!

[@derrickk773]

@@pasapdub Thank You

[@lovely-mk4rt]

My heart is with you 🕊.

[@kasiajones]

All the best to you, I hope you've done it by now

[@hm2011100]

Your courage is inspiring - I hope you are doing well 🥰

[@romeissam9204]

I love how peaceful and confident she is.

[@naturefleur2062]

romie romeissa yeah, that’s the “gift” of trauma.

[@blove142]

Perhaps her story is not an indictment of home education but a testament to it. Her parents with all their faults, taught her to think independently and to learn independently, instead of how to pass tests, and look at the results.

[@hannahtriz]

​@@blove142 Have you read her book? Or listened to the audio book?

[@blove142]

@@hannahtriz not yet, its on my summer list.

[@hannahtriz]

@@blove142 You may want to read it before you make a statement that her parents taught her how to learn and think independently.

[@morebooks9476]

Great book! More authors, Ellen... more authors!!! Some of us still read and would love to see authors of books we love on your show!! -- on ANY talk show!! Authors NEVER get the attention they deserve! Promote reading!

[@angiebell3123]

Yes. Less vapid Kardashians and more thoughtful content please.

[@scorpions0ul]

You said it sister! Hallelujah

[@ansarisarah7355]

Yessss.... I'm not a bookworm I'm a BOOKDRAGON n I would love to see amazin authors on shows!!

[@rubyrose2522]

@@ansarisarah7355 love that 📚📚📚

[@sophiarodriguez3706]

Ned Joseph now “bookdragon” is part of my lexicon...thank you!

[@colettelee1162]

To any abuse survivors out there who are feeling a little invalidated... It is NOT your resposibility to keep your abusive family together. You are not resposible for healing your abusers, you're responsible for healing yourself. Well-meaning people may praise you for 'keeping your family together,' but if you choose not to have contact with your family, that is completely vaild. I love you and you're a good person ❤

[@patchouleigh_]

Thank you for your words of healing , Colette.

[@NEssaZai]

Thank you !! Yes exactly 🧡 I’m learning this. It’s tough, but in the process. Your words gave me much comfort.

[@ginofever8233]

Thanks!

[@katiem6620]

Very well said Colette. I agree completely.

[@HSfox]

🥺😭

[@dearjoanna3578]

For someone who has been through so much she doesn’t talk poorly of her parents on the show! If anyone who deserves to speak ill of their family it’s her and yet she doesn’t.. that’s incredible, she’s incredible!

[@rayrei8620]

Speaking as a child of horrendous abuse myself, the more you grow up and delve into psychology, the more you realize how deeply disturbed and mentally unstable your parents were along with how some of them were raised to be this way themselves. No one is immune to mental illness, not even our parents. While I will never forgive the abuse done to me, I understand the working of my mother's mind a lot better than I used to. I can move past it.

[@oliviarodriguez3544]

after reading this memoir then watching this interview, she barely even scrapes the surface of this family, the hardships she went through and how hard she had to work in university to even get through each week!!! she’s so brilliant and spectacular, yet so humble about it. lovely woman

[@juliegreene975]

7 children...4 never went to school or ever got a GED. 3 went to college and achieved to the level of PHD

[@bigsiskrishere]

Julie Greene I believe 2 of those three that got college degrees were also part of the 4 that never went to school or received a GED.

[@thumpermater5550]

And they run a million dollar company.

[@cindyoswin9436]

I believe they got genes of talents, but the parents made their whole life a disaster.

[@cindyoswin9436]

I believe they got genes of talents, but the parents made their whole life a disaster.

[@JesusIsTheWayLifeTruth]

This is a good example of an untruth in this book. Read Educating.

[@batgirl.with.glasses5281]

I just finished the book at 4 am after starting the book 3 days ago. Tara Westover needs a big hug and a pat on the back for all that she has accomplished and been through. I would also like to thank her three brothers Tyler, Tony, and Richard for helping her with this book and for being there for her when everyone else in her family wasn’t.

[@pantalones3557]

Her aunts Angie & Debbie are both lovely for being supportive family as well!!

[@deemee3424]

i'm a sixth grader, and this book was so eye opening to me

[@deletedleaf2688]

You must be an excellent reader 👍

[@glennanderson4554]

keep reading as much as you can. It will take you far in life.

[@stefani.m.1987]

Excellent!!!!

[@Sandyyyyyyyyyy]

I recommend you come back to this book in about 10 years. The life experience you gain in those 10 years will allow you to pick up more of the nuance in the book and get more out of it. I’m in my early 30s and I plan to do the same.

[@stormyweather8798]

Oh Sugar, u should not be reading adult stuff. Stick to Jr. Lit.

[@Danielle10101]

I grew up in a cult so I really relate to this. Especially what she said about her parents loving her, they just really had strong beliefs that they thought was right for their children.

[@ahmedbenhariz8694]

Which cult and where quite interesting if you can provide more detail?

[@DelphiaBlize]

that sounded like someone who couldn't quite face the fact that there was no love for her at all. which is a harrowing thing to face. i don't think her parents had/have the capacity to love anyone.

[@derrickk773]

@@DelphiaBlize I too grew up in a cult. A Mennonite church specifically. Leaving means you can never again eat at the same table with your family.

[@LoveJoyPeace4612]

@@derrickk773 I didn't know the Mennonites did that. Jehovah's Witnesses are the same. You are shunned if you leave.

[@jennytaylor3203]

It's important to note that her family was nothing like the average LDS family. She makes that clear in many interviews.

[@Emily-bt7gb]

I just finished reading Educated last night. And woah. One of the best memoir I've ever read. It's speaks loud of perseverance and courage. Her life story is not like any other, and she told it in the most beautiful and genuine way. I highly recommend this book to everyone. There is so much to applaud about Tara Westover, but to me the most admirable thing she'd done was choosing to accept the truth, no matter how hard it is.

[@topgurl9313]

That's a lot of strength to come out of that, not only alive but thriving in life. Amazing woman.

[@gracemonteleone9927]

Just finished her book for a college assignment! Her story is so shocking that I had to keep reminding myself it’s not fiction! Incredible and Inspirational!

[@thumpermater5550]

You ought to check into the fiction part of it.

[@lotusgrl444]

@@thumpermater5550 😂😂 I havent read the book itself but the reviews of people that doubt how truly off the grid they were and she apparently leaves a lot of holes as far as how her parents paid for the things when they broke down, I think it was a tractor...Im interested in reading the book but I think one thing we should remember of memoirs is that there still has to be an element of fiction to it

[@LizInTheB]

Tara was the commencement speaker at my daughter's graduation from Northeastern University (Boston) in 2019. She did a great job speaking (she was very down-to-earth and relatable) and I bought her book not long after.

[@florabajracharya4834]

The book is just wow!!!! Must be made into a movie!

[@lilliangraham9850]

hey , becareful what you put out into the universe ,that might just happen

[@morebooks9476]

Well I hope it will be better than Glass Castle and just as good or better than Captain Fantastic!!

[@Vampire_elise]

Have fun waiting cuz it'll never happen

[@bmagg2564]

@@Vampire_elise who knows...Ellen might do it, if she liked it so much

[@bmagg2564]

@@lilliangraham9850 maybe just like this girl wanted to go to college 🙂

[@shirazshivji2692]

I read her book and admire her courage and fortitude. She is incredibly gifted and would have done well in any profession. She was lucky to find mentors that helped her to get money for her education. I cannot imagine to be in her shoes.

[@CHINESE1010]

I just finished this book last night in my room, the book name "Educated" is translated into "你当像鸟飞往你的山" (You should fly to your mountain like a bird) in China. I can't imagine what the author went through and finally achieved such an achievement, really admire her.

[@jamesj9998]

The book is phenomenal. This isn't simply because of the horrifically gripping story but Dr. Westover's courage and grace.

[@sankalpgupta7366]

"you can call this selfhood many things. Transformation Metamorphosis Falsity Betrayal I call it an education"

[@armanobrigante]

Reading this book had me glimpses of the Glass Castle.

[@morgantilstra3175]

Same! That is also a fabulous book

[@nathanhanson5324]

I thought of the Glass Castle too, and also Hillbilly Elegy a little bit.

[@heatherrose3863]

I didn’t read this yet but sounds similar!

[@tarafela-durotoye2383]

Exactly ..esp as a lot of people didn’t believe her story .a lot of people didn’t believe that this could happen in the US.

[@Charlie96204]

Me too

[@indianchika123]

her story resonates me so much, i never thought i could find someone out there that lived a life similar to as i did. i cannot begin to say how much this book has done for me, i will always treasure it

[@AlvaInTheWorld]

good luck to you! Be strong, make yourself a good life! ❤️

[@OTLulu]

This is the best book I’ve read in a long time. I highly recommend this book to EVERYONE!!!! extremely well written.

[@a.m.3921]

I read this last year and it goes down as one of the most amazing and inspiring memoirs I have ever read. I was really happy to see Tara on Ellen! More authors, Ellen!

[@user-yf4wo2zx4b]

I'm (South) Korean. In my opinion, She has great resilience !

[@beansthecat9859]

she is such an inspiration. i actually had to read educated for a college class. even though i had a full education and got into a good college i found myself relating to her a lot, especially how much she talks about feeling like she doesn’t belong in a college setting. i often feel this way too and it was such a wonderful feeling knowing that someone who feels like me got an amazing education from world class schools. thank you tara you are wonderful!

[@jengsterinc1176]

I like that Ellen is tackling deeper topics with guests other than Hollywood stars. I can tell she was getting bored with her usual glamorous guests.

[@pearlyseine8957]

Right. Unlike guessing the name of the nth baby of some celebrity.

[@lotusgrl444]

Well she IS getting quite the meanie reputation

[@deborahcoe5941]

Brave young amazing woman. I do hope the future is good for her. I could not put the book down reading amongst my tears.

[@dixiepardoe3041]

very thought provoking, a must read for anyone who grew up in an abusive family.

[@kkakacek]

When I was in a Freshman Seminar class at Idaho State University in 2001, the instructor referenced the Holocaust. There were twenty-two students in the class, and I was the only one who HAD heard of it. The instructor was just staggered (me, too).

[@marahaquala1686]

Wow, who raised those kids ?

[@ashleycharmac]

Marah* aquala Mormons.

[@amydaves1307]

@@ashleycharmac Mormons support public education. Its Idaho.

[@mohdtalha8558]

just finished her memoir it was breath-taking, heart-breaking and predominately it was the most inspirational text I had ever read.

[@jaynebenesh9074]

I just read Educated this week. It was amazing! One of the best books I have ever read.

[@hikingmarie9]

I'm almost finished with her book and I wish I had enough time in the day to finish it all at once. The interview doesn't do the book justice. It's an excellent, must read book!

[@Grace-cz3wf]

One of the best books i’ve ever read. I couldn’t put it down

[@pasangdorjee6233]

Favorite read of 2019. thanks for sharing your story Tara, this book truly enlightens you in the most painful and incredible way.

[@laine2138]

I love this book! Thanks Tara for sharing your life with us! Much love to you.

[@Bob-os6sg]

Reading her book in school now, powerful stuff.

[@rkayw5855]

LOVE! love this book, Love Tara, love Ellen for having her on the show...love!

[@yourfaithie]

I'm from Russia and I read this book. It's really amazing. I'm so happy and proud of Tara.

[@lovely-mk4rt]

Excellent book and I too am proud of this strong, curious woman that overcame a compelling complicated life to thrive and live her life to the fullest. 🕊.

[@kristabrailey7028]

Ellen, the way you describe how you felt reading the book sums it up perfectly with how it impacted me as well. And the pride you feel for Tara’s accomplishments! Thank you for sharing your story Tara!

[@abslmvideos]

I recently finished Ms. Westover's book, and the writing is masterfully eloquent. I commend her strength of character in such a difficult upbringing. I highly recommend this work.

[@carlapopper7895]

I’m reading 📖 it at the moment. I gave about 2 chapters left. I didn’t want to put the book 📖 down. OMG 😮 it’s beyond profounding. She’s an awesome and super strong lady! I’m recommending her book to my friends and family!📚

[@inJOYjesus]

Definitely recommend this book! Due to a similar upbringing, my art teacher recommended this book to me.

[@RoseAllDayyy]

Tara is so resilient and strong. Such a good book. She’s also a beautiful singer, there’s a clip of her singing a Mormon hymn on KZbin and she sounds like an angel.

[@coultergill7728]

almostfamous99 she originally wanted to lead her Idaho ward choir

[@ameliesayshola8854]

I just recently read this and it was SO good! I highly recommend it, it’s an unbelievable story.

[@joelmamdeoliveira4936]

Just finishing the book and I’m amazing how she put these memoir all together with such details. ❤

[@janakujawa1629]

I love Ellen! This is a book I have to read. Thank you Tara for being so brave!

[@izby2652]

Love Ellen's interviews. She has a lot more relaxed style of interviewing, which makes it more enjoyable and interesting. Amazing story.

[@TheLasa87]

Loved this book! One of the best ones.

[@vanessamarcoux2557]

I think she is where she is now because of the way she was raised. And of course of the perseverance and curiosity that lives in her. Her story is very inspiring. I just finished her book.

[@kailawkamo1568]

I just finished reading the book and it brings me great joy that I could see her so alive in this video. I'm so proud of her and wishing her the best

[@sadiksha7387]

The book has me shook. Brilliant how she understood the differences between her and her family as her world view change and kept her well being as well as loving towards her family intact. It would be much easier to be bitter but she strived, struggled and chose empathy, love and courage. Such an inspiration!

[@alisha1.2.7.]

tara's book was so good and i just want MORE, i love her story!

[@DelphiaBlize]

someone needs to press charges against the brother before he kills someone. he made his bed, he can lie in it.

[@i2pjd6hRw5P]

I thought the same thing at times. He seems like a genuinely horrible human being. But it was the fault of his upbringing and could be reasonably blamed on his father. So I don't know. It's so complicated.

[@25136MLP]

@@thumpermater5550 the book was fact checked by a professional

[@cindyoswin9436]

The brother sort of taking insulting and controlling others as a pleasure. Mental hospital in a prison should be his place to live. But the father is the very resource of all these tragedy. Without a father like that, there wouldn't be a 'Shawn' like this.

[@jillyburt]

The brother killed his German Shepherd. Cruel and unforgivable.

[@superstarwhimsy]

The parents, especially the dad, certainly contributed to the brother's emotional makeup, but they had other sons who didn't turn out so diabolical. This son is responsible for his actions, even if he was raised in an abusive environment. I hope CPS is getting involved now. I am concerned about his wife and children.

[@halitst1]

It boils down to ignorance. Ignorance is one of the highest forms of sickness.

[@tammyevans5799]

Amen !

[@DelphiaBlize]

in this case willful ignorance though. i think it boils down to her father's need to control and abusiveness, which poisoned his entire family. he removed them from everything, and the mother enabled it.

[@agathapoirot5373]

@@DelphiaBlize Absolutely agree. The father was controlling and cruel and the mother an enabler: a weak woman whose priority was to please her man instead of protecting her children.

[@nek2327]

it's not ignorance, it's simply a way or a lifestyle they live by. No need to criticize their way of living.

[@toshitroyer5595]

@@nek2327 ummmm...it was ignorance. The father caused so much damage to the family and trauma, and the mother just enabled it as others said. Not treating major injuries in a car crash or a pipe through the leg or an abusive brother with things other than herbs and sun is damaging...and the dad was also just emotionally abusive

[@pavlasudan1605]

I just finished her book ( in french, I live in Switzerland). I don't understand how it is possible be completely out of society. 7 children witdraw from school = abuse. It's basic right of every child be educated. Children in this family were brainwashed. Only 3 of them were strong enough to find their own way. Really tragic story. Sorry for my broken english.

[@alanaRB122]

Best book I've ever read, what an amazing story

[@miriamwangechi_]

It's amazing she survived

[@joyce3790]

I’m reading her book now. Can’t put it down. Mind blowing.

[@haroldgoodman130]

Just finished the incredibly read audiobook version this morning driving to work. One of the most powerful, compelling, personally uplifting books I have found in years. Read it. It will change your life. all of us believe that we are less than whole and all of us need this book.

[@francedeguzman510]

Three years too late. After finishing her memoir last night, I’m so glad to see her looking so happy, healthy, and confident in these talk shows and interviews. 🥺🤍

[@pbtraveler694]

Yes, I highly recommend this book---very painful to read but ultimately inspiring and instructive.

[@edwardyo9328]

Will they ever make a movie out of this bestselling story? I think a lot of people would want to watch it...including me. The story is unorthodox and beautiful, well done Tara.

[@unordinarystudios5846]

Educated is an amazing book!

[@IllustratorSariah]

Love this book!! Such a phenomenal story!

[@MrNikkimaxine]

sariahseb Yep so Mia story long story short

[@yuliyayakubova5954]

I am almost through with the book, and, "through" is a wrong word...i am finishing this powerful book on one breath. You are very brave! Thank you so much for sharing your story!

[@amahpeter4499]

with a couple of thanks to the author and more grace of experience

[@michelleramos410]

It's a miracle that they're alive! Wow!

[@parfittelcano8818]

I had to take a creative nonfiction class in college and my professor had us read this book, which was her memoir, and it’s one of those rare instances where I absolutely enjoyed an assigned reading in class

[@racheltfisher]

I listened to the audiobook and the stuff she went through, she is such a survivor

[@sisigblove2567]

I am proud of you Tara. I read ur book and i cried. Wonderful women

[@annecorey607]

She is awesome very good thank you for sharing your beautiful story thanks

[@Notanglam]

Love how she can talk about her past not with anger but trying to see her parents pov.

[@swastikan.7352]

I'm in 9th grade and for me, out of many books i've read, this book is the best one. Highly recommend it

[@TaylorRaine]

This book was incredible!

[@elizabethpmao]

Wow I just finished this book- I am in shock- it’s amazing and so interesting

[@africajourney2182]

I just finished her book "Educated" and WOW is she incredible.

[@LuckyOne.]

SO PROUD of this woman! 👏🏼

[@laryssasouza4239]

It’s a heartbreaking and must read story! Great book

[@erdenetogtokhbayar220]

The educated was one of my favorites I ever read. At the time of reading this book, I was imagining things happened in the book. Also, reminds me that the childhood I had been maintained 20 years ago.

[@marinamartinez6886]

Just finished this book and it is a " must read".

[@angelinamichelle1766]

Such an amazing book! Read it a bit ago and fell in love

[@mjramirez1971]

Incredible read! We have alot of homeschooled children here in Montana and I have always wondered what happens on the farms miles away from town. This was certainly a read I couldn't put down and recommend for any reading club.

[@rondeaufamily6617]

I wouldn't take this extreme case for an example of what the average homeschool family is like...

[@petiteexupery]

So well written!!! I love this book!!!

[@huyenle7242]

I'm so moved by this book and by Tara that I also recommend it to all my friends. I think people with childhood trauma would really appreciate this book. But also just young people, because let's admit it, all of us are one way or another, lost in adolescence. And the difficulties one encounter when growing up, the mentality of a family obligation, all of it is exposed and talked about without a lie. That's what so powerful about this story!

[@suzannewagner852]

I’m almost finished with the book. It made me cry. It’s one of the greatest books I’ve ever read.

[@Mr3171997]

I just finished the audiobook and I loved it! ❤

[@gwencoco7901]

The book is amazing. Unfortunately I have not finished reading it. So I'm going to wait to watch this interview.

[@stanzinkhar405]

Now the whole world knows about her and she must be very at peace. I really couldn't think of that book as a memoir but a fiction drama but this is the truth .. More power to her 👍👍👍 .

[@danielepepin4257]

The book is amazing because of the very rigid, restrictive upbringing she had. I am really enjoying this interview. I like the fact that she has totally remade her life and become her own person, yet she is not resentful of her parents and family, but rather she just realizes there is a different way to live a fuller life. Very nice interview.

[@trinidadfoster4924]

She's my hero.

[@gudduentertains]

I didn't imagine her to be this beautiful. Now I understand how all those boys felt about her. Inspiring story.

[@xingwang9602]

I love this book ! Tara you are amazing!

[@keshavgoyal4250]

I am halfway through the book. It's amazing

[@wolfpack3889]

Bless her💖🙏💪

[@karishort7561]

I would be a nervous wreck on Ellen but this girl is so incredibly poised 💓 what an awesome story!

[@survivorbodybuilding4315]

I’m reading her book now. And wow it’s mind blowing 🤯

[@philipwoodford6286]

Tara is amazing and has achieved incredible things inspirational lady