Actress Sharon Stone has released her memoir, The Beauty of Living Twice, chronicling a life filled with trauma, survival, and stardom. The title refers to her second chance after suffering a life-threatening stroke and brain haemorrhage in 2001. The book delves into her difficult upbringing in Pennsylvania, where she endured physical abuse from her parents and sexual abuse by her grandfather.
Stone writes that she channelled the rage from her childhood into her breakthrough role in 1992's Basic Instinct. She describes the infamous leg-crossing interrogation scene, revealing she was unaware the camera would expose her. Upon discovering this at a screening, she slapped director Paul Verhoeven and consulted a lawyer. Ultimately, she chose to allow the scene, believing it was correct for the film and character.
In 2001, Stone underwent surgery for benign breast tumours but claims her plastic surgeon enlarged her breasts without consent, saying they would 'go better with your hip size'. She believes this surgery indirectly led to her later stroke. Recounting the event, she felt 'a luminous, uplifting whiteout' and woke in the emergency room with a 1% chance of survival.
The memoir also highlights her Oscar-nominated role in Casino, praising co-star Robert De Niro's work ethic. Stone dedicates the book to her mother but acknowledges her love for her parents grew later in life. She recalls a disturbing incident at age eight when she witnessed her grandfather abusing her five-year-old sister, and describes the 'bizarre satisfaction' of poking him to confirm his death when she was 14.
