HBO recently released the documentary Allen v. Farrow, which purportedly takes a hard look at allegations raised by Dylan Farrow against her father, Woody Allen. Mia Farrow and Allen have been at odds for four decades since the allegations arose.
Public opinion on the ongoing battle has been split, with some falling squarely on Dylan Farrow's side and others appearing to support Woody Allen's assertion that he's completely innocent.
The documentary has also inspired a lot of chatter and discussion about Mia Farrow's other children, especially three of her children who have died: Tam, Lark, and Thaddeus.
Mia Farrow doesn't speak up about personal matters that often, so when she does it's usually pretty serious. This is no exception; Mia issued a lengthy statement about Tam, Thaddeus, and Lark after dealing with "vicious rumors" about their lives and deaths.
Mia posted the open letter on Twitter. It begins, "As a mother of fourteen children, my family means everything to me. While I chose a career that placed me in the public arena, most of my children have elected to live very private lives."
Tam Farrow died in 2000. Mia explains, "My beloved daughter Tam passed away at 17 from an accidental prescription overdose related to the agonizing migraines she suffered, and her heart ailment."
Mia went on to describe her daughter Lark, who died in 2008, as an "extraordinary woman, a wonderful daughter, sister, partner and mother to her own children."
She then explained, "She died at 35 from complications of HIV/AIDS, which she contracted from a previous partner."
Mia continued, "Despite her illness she lived a fruitful and loving life with her children and longtime partner. She succumbed to her illness & died suddenly in the hospital on Christmas, in her partner's arms."
Mia also explained that her son Thaddeus, whom she called "courageous," took his life at the age of 27. In 2016, Mia issued a statement about his death: "We're devastated by the loss of Thaddeus, our beloved son and brother. He was a wonderful courageous person who overcame so much hardship in his short life. We miss him."
Mia continued to address the controversy that broke out after the documentary's release:
"These are unspeakable tragedies. Any other speculation about their deaths is to dishonor their lives and the lives of their children and loved ones."
Mia closed out her statement by acknowledging she is grateful for her 14 children and six grandchildren:
"Although we have known sorrow, our lives today are full of love and joy. Everyone has their own battle to fight; their own sorrows that gnaw. I send you my best hopes and my love."
