Jesse James Recalls Abusive Childhood Leading to 'Breaking Point'

By Kiki Von Glinow Posted May 2nd 2011 03:51PM

A lot can change in a year. It wasn't long ago that Jesse James was married to America's Sweetheart, Sandra Bullock, before their broken marriage, shattered by James' infidelity, was splashed across the media -- at time in which "everything got ripped to shreds," James told PEOPLE.

But while the world turned to Bullock to offer their comfort and vow to stand against James, she wasn't the only one who was in deep waters: "I was at my breaking point," he said.

James, 42, who is now engaged to reality TV tattoo artist, Kat Von D, and emerged from the reality realm himself on 'Monster Garage,' explained that this breaking point stemmed from an abusive childhood -- a childhood he details in his memoir, 'American Outlaw.'

"I always felt out of place my whole life," he said. "I never felt successful, never felt I deserved anything."

But James assures the public that he is not using these references to a difficult childhood as a crutch to constitute or justify his alleged 11-month affair with tattoo model, Michelle "Bombshell" McGee.

"I'm moving forward, thinking clearly and becoming a better person."

Part of this vocal movement toward the future can be attributed to James' 30-day stay at the Sierra Tucson treatment center in Arizona where he recognized that his life was becoming a cycle rather than an upward path.

But how has James been able to ditch his old life -- while, undoubtedly, holding on to his reputation?

"I've made my world pretty small now," he explained to People. "Now I can focus on what's important: making sure [my] kids get good grades and are happy and healthy together."

James has a daughter and son with his first wife, Karla, and a second daughter with ex-wife, Janine Lindemulder. But one child noticeably absent from his life and his memoir is son, Louis, whom he adopted with ex-wife, Bullock. The couple were raising the infant before James' infidelity hit the media -- prompting Bullock to soon seek and gain full custody of the baby.

"Talking about Louis almost felt too intimate," James said. "He is so sweet and I miss him." But in moving forward, the tattooed motorcycle aficionado affirms that he has "started life over."

And part of that new life is with Von D. James proposed to the reality star in January before tweeting, "Baby? You make it so easy to do everything I can to show you how Amazing you are. I see it as clear as a bell. My other half."

We hope that fourth time's a charm for this quintessential tattooed, motorcycle riding bad boy -- for Von D's sake.

Tags: jesse james

Comments

(162)

Monday 02 May

By Rebecca Hall

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OMG.... Just another victim that wants to blame mommy and daddy for the rotten way he turned out. Life is full of choices and I am sure that Jesse James knows right from wrong. He is an adult that made horrible choices with his life, he cares only about himself. Grow up Jesse!!!

By polish215

Gee, right on the heels of the whole Ashley Judd book, which was all over the last few episodes of "The Judds" featuring "Naomi" and "Wynonna". And golly-ding...what was the whole Judd thing about??? How Ashley was abused, which led to "Naomi" revealing after 12 (!) years of therapy that SHE was abused, which led to "Wynonna" revealing that her childhood sucked, too.

Please.

By Retired Army Brat

Boooooo! Bad sport.

Tuesday 03 May

By TheodosiaBleuet

I agree with you. If he were serious about changing, he wouldn't have jumped into one more relationship, and even if he was abused, he is responsible for how he has hurt other people. He'll do the same thing to his new partner.

By Kenny Nash

This man is proof Rebecca that sometimes we have to flush "TERDS" twice !

Kenny Nash

Youtube Kenny Nash "DESIRE"

By dallas

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He is better off without Gods Gift to humanity

By Carey

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Now watch these stupid gullible Americans buy this "memoir". Americans are the worse suckers on earth!

By John

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Funny, that same excuse was used by USAMA BIN LADIN & CHARLES MANSON.... It was someone else's fault and I was just the innocent victim.... I have to feel sorry for JJ...

By joan

Jesse James will use any excuse for sympathy, but should get none. Such a loser and is a disgusting human being. Popeater should cease printing anything about him. The major public does not care one iota....

By Carrie

I agree, even if it were true that he had an abusive childhood, he still makes the choices in his live, and his behavior is his, and he can't blame someone else for that. The new tend of Mommy Dearest strikes again. He is responsible for his actions, and for the consequences are from those actions. Get a life...she is much better off without him.... A tattoo artist, now that sounds like a better match for him.

By Bubbles

Jesse - Boo whoo. Does someone need to call the Waaaambulance for all your cry baby excuses why your such a douche bag husband and father?

Touche! Who cares about this loser anyway? No one.

By dinaressa

Who cares Jesse James...how you feel ..what you think..or where you place your blame..you are still a rat..and believe me..that will never change..

You, madam, sound like someone who wanted him and was rejected by him!

By Charlie

These hollyweird clowns run around procreating and thus, more hollyweird clowns. And you wonder how obama bin lyin got in office?

By Biscotti

What does Obama have to do with this? You probably blame the guy for the rain when it ruins your weekend plans, too.

By Vicki

EXACTLY!!

By Mike

Seriously? I thought we were done with this dirtbag?! White trash boom-a-rang!

By Sue

Ditto! You said exactly what I was thinking -- WHITE TRASH!

By John Lahommedieu

Amazing how you can bed down so many women....drug up with so many drugs....do as much alcohol in a month as some do in a year.....and then cry about your upbringing as the reason for your behavior and failures! Jesse.....Shut up already and man up...take care of your kids...get a real job and join the real life society that takes responsibilty for its actions.
Hollywood.....if you cannot make it there....you may not make it anywhere!

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