Jane Fonda told an audience of activists and philanthropists that her mother had been sexually abused and eventually committed suicide.Fonda made the personal revelation at an event celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Rape Treatment Center, which provides comprehensive free treatment for sexual assault victims. She hosted the Rape Foundation's annual fundraising brunch Sunday at billionaire Ron Burkle's Greenacres estate in Beverly Hills.Famous people who have taken their own livesFonda said she discovered while writing her memoirs that her mother had been sexually abused as a girl. Fonda said that learning this helped her understand some of her mother's behavior before her ultimate suicide when Fonda was 12.David Schwimmer and Eric McCormack also appeared at the event, where guests included Viola Davis, Emmy Rossum and Lily Tomlin.

Jane Fonda told an audience of activists and philanthropists that her mother had been sexually abused and eventually committed suicide.

Fonda made the personal revelation at an event celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Rape Treatment Center, which provides comprehensive free treatment for sexual assault victims. She hosted the Rape Foundation's annual fundraising brunch Sunday at billionaire Ron Burkle's Greenacres estate in Beverly Hills.


Famous people who have taken their own lives

Fonda said she discovered while writing her memoirs that her mother had been sexually abused as a girl. Fonda said that learning this helped her understand some of her mother's behavior before her ultimate suicide when Fonda was 12.

David Schwimmer and Eric McCormack also appeared at the event, where guests included Viola Davis, Emmy Rossum and Lily Tomlin.