Sheryl Lee Ralphis opening up about the scariest moments she experienced as a parent.
In PEOPLE’s exclusive look at theAARP Magazinecover storyfor the August/September issue, the 66-year-oldAbbott Elementaryactress recalled the moment in 2013 she heard that her son Etienne had been involved in not one, but two terrible incidents that changed his life forever.
“When Etienne was in college, he had a car accident and suffered a concussion. It changed his whole brain,” she explained. “Thenhe got mugged, and they shot him three times. He woke up in the hospital with two bullets in his leg and a wound in his forehead where a bullet had grazed him.”
Sheryl Lee Ralph’s AARP Magazine Cover.Emily Shur/ AARP The Magazine, August/September 2023
Emily Shur/ AARP The Magazine, August/September 2023
When Ralph heard that her son had been shot, she “collapsed and dropped the phone.”
“I didn’t even listen to the rest. But they didn’t kill him, thank God,” the Emmy winner said. “Now he runs his own production company and nonprofit, WalkGoodLA, which is centered around healing, mental health and overall well-being.”
Sheryl Lee Ralph, Etienne Maurice, Ivy-Victoria Maurice.Allen Berezovsky/WireImage
Elsewhere in her cover story, the actress revealed that she always “knew I was going to be somebody’s mother," calling her children “my greatest gift.”
“When I met their father, my first husband, I could see my children just as clearly as they are in life right now, and I said, ‘Oh, I know the assignment right here,’” she gushed. “We got married and had our son, Etienne, and our daughter, Coco. The marriage lasted almost 10 years.”
She added, “If I had a regret in life, it would be that I didn’t have more children. But I have two beautiful children.”
Etienne Maurice, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Ivy-Victoria Maurice and Senator Vincent.Robin L Marshall/Getty
When Ralph won herfirst Emmy Awardfor her performance inAbbot Elementary, Etienne shared a video on Instagram of himself and his sisterscreaming in their seats.
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“I’ve envisioned this moment for my mother my whole entire life. We are so proud of you Mommy! @thesherylleeralph you are A WINNER!!!!,” he captioned the post. “@ivycoco23 are in our seats crying. #emmys2022.”
source: people.com
