Food TV's Sandra Lee Reveals Abusive Past

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The bubbly Food Network star Sandra Lee reveals that her eye for budget-friendly cooking is a result of her impoverished past. At age 10, Lee's mother died, so she learned how to cook while raising her four brothers and sisters as the eldest child of an abusive, drug-addicted father, NY Post reports.

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Sandra Lee Photos

NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 24: Sandra Lee attends the Paley Center for Media's 2009 gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on February 24, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Sandra Lee

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NEW YORK - JANUARY 28: Chef Sandra Lee (L) and Hoffman Media President Phyllis Norton Hoffman attend the launch party for the new periodical entitled Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade magazine at the Empire Hotel Rooftop on January 28, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Joe Corrigan/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Sandra Lee;Phyllis Norton Hoffman

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NEW YORK - JANUARY 28: Hoffman Media President Phyllis Norton Hoffman and chef Sandra Lee attend the launch party for the new periodical titled Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade magazine at the Empire Hotel Rooftop on January 28, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Joe Corrigan/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Phyllis Norton Hoffman;Sandra Lee

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NEW YORK - JANUARY 28: Chef Sandra Lee attends the launch party for her new periodical titled Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade magazine at the Empire Hotel Rooftop on January 28, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Joe Corrigan/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Sandra Lee

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NEW YORK - JANUARY 28: Television personality and chef Sandra Lee attends the launch party for her new periodical titled Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade magazine at the Empire Hotel Rooftop on January 28, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Joe Corrigan/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Sandra Lee

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NEW YORK - JANUARY 28: Hoffman Media, LLC President Phyllis Norton Hoffman and chef Sandra Lee attend the launch party for the new periodical titled Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade magazine at the Empire Hotel Rooftop on January 28, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Joe Corrigan/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Phyllis Norton Hoffman;Sandra Lee

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NEW YORK - JANUARY 28: Hoffman Media President Phyllis Norton Hoffman (L) and chef Sandra Lee attend the launch party for the new periodical titled Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade magazine at the Empire Hotel Rooftop on January 28, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Joe Corrigan/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Phyllis Norton Hoffman;Sandra Lee

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Lee's family survived on food stamps and sometimes even she did not know where her next meal was coming from. According to her book 'Made From Scratch,' she eventually had to get her own apartment while still in high school.

Then at age 21, Lee moved to Los Angeles, where she launched her first product line, Kurtain Kraft. Although she became a millionaire by age 25, she lost her entire fortune five years later.

Now known as the host of Food Network's 'Semi-Homemade' show, Lee is dedicated to helping the 12.3 million American children who are at risk of hunger and supporting Share Our Strength's Great American Bake Sale.

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