Thursday, December 5, 2024
Jennifer O’Neill will host a special event at Hewlett Park, 650 E. Pearl St. in Granbury, Nov. 3 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Born in 1948 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, O’Neill gained fame as both an actress and model. IMDB cites that she is best known for her roles in “Summer of ’42” (1971), “Scanners” (1981) and “Rio Lobo” (1970).
She also enjoyed a successful modeling career and served as a Cover Girl spokesperson for 30 years. Additionally, O’Neill is cataloged in the Smithsonian Institute’s American History Museum, Center for Commercial Advertising.
Her upcoming public speaking event at Hewlett Park, “One Nation Under God,” promises to unite attendees in prayer and reflection as she advocates for repentance and revival in a nation yearning for hope.
O’Neill’s story is not just about fame; it’s about a tortured soul, ravaged by the fires of life, pausing just long enough to hear the Lord calling for her with healing, grace and purpose.
Her life took a dark turn at 14 when she attempted suicide, resulting in a coma that lasted several weeks. At 15, she broke her neck and back in a horse-riding accident, sustaining the same neck injury that paralyzed Christopher Reeve.
O’Neill was married nine times to eight men — marrying for the first time at 17. MarriedCeleb.com reports her 1996 marriage to recording engineer Mervin Sidney Louque Jr. is “harmonious and enduring.”
Her relationships have not been without problems — including nine miscarriages and an abortion. Suffering symptoms of post-partum, O’Neill checked herself into a mental institution, reports CloserWeekly.com. The actress also spoke candidly about the sexual abuse of her daughter by one of her husbands, adding another layer of pain to her already troubled past.
At 34, O’Neill’s life began crumbling even faster — a 1983 UPI Archives article regarding the star stated, “The last eight months have been filled with plenty of bad luck.”
The report indicated that “O’Neill was driving her BMW when she lost control on wet pavement and collided with another vehicle, resulting in neck pain."
In that same period, she accidentally shot herself in the stomach with her unlicensed .38 caliber pistol, leading to charges of illegal possession with her husband, John Lederer. After pleading guilty in March that year, she received a conditional discharge. Shortly after, her husband accidentally slashed himself, requiring stitches.
The UPI article notes O’Neill also experienced fainting spells, prompting a hospital visit for tests. Amid these challenges, she struggled to sell her 22-room mansion, hindered by negative publicity. Rumors of marital issues had surfaced, and her NBC-TV series, “Bare Essence,” was canceled after less than six months.
A recent article by Leonora Cravotta for The American Spectator revealed that O’Neill, who made more than 30 films, was blackballed in Hollywood after she found her faith.
“I was 38 when I came to God,” she told the Times-Union, although she admits wanting to be the driving force in all outcomes and decisions, which led her to write a book, “From Fallen to Forgiven.”
In a live interview on Pastor Allen Jackson’s Culture and Christianity Podcast, O’Neill recounts an appearance on “The View,” where she was attacked for her pro-life stance.
She explained that after discussing her “born again” experience on various shows, she took her pastor’s advice and committed to years of Bible study before publicly speaking out again.
O’Neill’s exploration of apologetics laid the foundation for her ministry efforts, including women’s conferences and writing projects — she has authored over 20 books. She expressed that true peace only came after embracing Christ.
Recognizing her relationships often influenced her career decisions — according to IMDB.com — she famously stated, “My need for love owned me.” Her journey toward healing and self-forgiveness is a central theme in her autobiographies.
O’Neill emphasized the importance of letting go of guilt and embracing forgiveness, particularly in her involvement with organizations like Silent No More, which aids women recovering from the trauma of abortion.
Today, O’Neill is a motivational speaker and a devoted advocate for faith-based initiatives. Through her nonprofit organization, Hope and Healing at Hillenglade, in Tennessee, she has provided equine-assisted therapy to veterans and first responders dealing with PTSD since 2010, reports Cristina Corbin for Fox News.
In the recently released movie Reagan, O’Neill portrays Ronald Reagan’s mother, who significantly influenced her son’s faith and values. Reagan’s use of his mother’s Bible during his inauguration is noteworthy, O’Neill explained to Jackson, highlighting the relevance of 2 Chronicles 7:14 in today’s culture and drawing parallels between the moral challenges of Reagan’s time and those faced today.
As she prepares for her event Nov. 3, O’Neill continues to inspire others to seek healing, hope and a deeper connection with God.
The gathering will feature local leaders, praise, worship and fellowship, uniting the community as one body of believers. Attendees will come together in prayer for repentance, restitution, refreshing and revival in the nation as they seek to honor the Lord and His name.
Watch O'Neill's invitation here: https://youtu.be/6kOFY9XlkpA?feature=shared
