Actor Henry Winkler is known for his successful acting career, but few know of the emotional pain he endured as a child. Despite being mistreated by his mother, Winkler still came to her aid when she fell ill, becoming her caregiver for eleven years.
Winkler was raised in a family with emotionally destructive parents who never heard him out. This lack of a supportive family made him vow to become a better parent than his own parents.
Winkler’s upbringing meant he never experienced a typical family life. While his classmates talked about trips and time spent with their families, he couldn’t relate. However, he does recognize that his parents escaping Nazi Germany gave him the opportunity to live the life he does now.
But he also acknowledges that the emotional distance between him and his parents really affected him. He called them “emotionally destructive” and felt ignored as a child.
He seldom has any happy memories as a child. When asked what memories he has of his mother, Winkler said he only recalls his mother laughing twice in his life.
“Once because we tickled her into a closet. The second time we were driving and she was in the back of the car, reading an article about some silly invention and she thought it very funny,” the actor shared.
Winkler’s experience made him realize the importance of listening to his own children, which he did every chance he got. He advised that people should take the time to listen to their children, even if they are in a hurry.
He believes that children understand more than adults often give them credit for, and listening to them can be vital to forming a strong relationship. Winkler tried to raise his children in a “normal and consistent” home life, devoid of the spotlight that he faced during his career.
Winkler’s mother was ill for years, and he became her caregiver. Despite the way she treated him in the past, Winkler never believed in offering support from a distance.
He recalls watching his mother lose the will to live during the times he couldn’t be there for her, and he felt guilty. He has learned from life that the importance of listening and compassion, even in difficult situations.