Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · September 3, 2025 · Entertainment

Francesca Scorsese: A Heartfelt Tribute to Her Brave Mother's Parkinson’s Battle

Martin Scorsese's youngest daughter Francesca shared rare footage of her ailing mother Helen Morris Scorsese on Tuesday

The Scorsese Family's Private Struggles: A Glimpse into Martin's Personal Life

In a rare and intimate look at her family's private struggles, Francesca Scorsese, the 25-year-old daughter of legendary director Martin Scorsese, has shared a heart-wrenching clip of her ailing mother, Helen Morris Scorsese. The 78-year-old retired book editor has been bravely battling Parkinson's disease since 1990, nine years before Francesca was born.

The nepo baby, who boasts an impressive 567K social media followers, took to the platform to pay tribute to her mother and share a poignant reminder with her fans. "Reminder to tell your parents you love them because one day you will have to take care of them the way they once took care of you," Francesca wrote, accompanied by a clip of herself spoon-feeding her mother dessert and sipping from a large plastic cup.

The 78-year-old retired book editor has been bravely battling Parkinson's disease since 1990 - nine years before her only child's birth

The emotional video has sparked a wave of sympathy for Helen, who has been an inspiration to her daughter in more ways than one. In 2020, Francesca filmed a "letter to my mama" detailing her own struggles with the progressive neurological disorder that affects movement and other bodily functions. The film was a deeply personal and raw exploration of her family's private struggles, and it's clear that Helen has been a constant source of strength and inspiration for Francesca.

But what's just as fascinating is Martin Scorsese's reaction to his wife's health issues. Speaking on the podcast "This Life of Mine with James Corden" last year, the 82-year-old filmmaker praised Helen's resilience, saying, "My complaining is part of my creating, and it's usually self-deprecating. My complaining, I find, is nothing compared to what the suffering that a condition like that does."

He went on to describe how living with Parkinson's has changed his perspective on life, saying, "And so we live with it, and it changes how you perceive life and everything around you." It's clear that Martin is deeply devoted to his wife and has been inspired by her courage in the face of adversity.

The 25-year-old nepo baby declared Helen was a 'warrior' and wrote: 'Reminder to tell your parents you love them because one day you will have to take caree of them the way they once took care of you'

But what about Francesca's personal life? We know she's a talented young woman who has made cameos in some of her father's films, including "The Aviator," "The Departed," and "Hugo." She's also been a driving force behind getting Martin to join Instagram, where he now boasts an impressive 567K followers.

And speaking of Martin's personal life, it's worth noting that July 22 marked his 26th wedding anniversary with Helen. The couple attended the 2023 Cannes Film Festival premiere of his film "Killers of the Flower Moon" together, and Martin was clearly beaming with pride as he supported his wife on the red carpet.

But Francesca's not just a devoted daughter; she's also a budding filmmaker in her own right. Her NYU thesis short film "Fish Out of Water," which premiered in 2023, tells the story of a young mom coping with her own mother's failing health. It's clear that Helen has been an inspiration to Francesca not just as a mother but also as a subject for her filmmaking.

In the clip, Scorsese - who boasts 567K social media followers - spoonfed her mother a couple bites of a dessert and sips from a large plastic cup

And what about Martin's other children? He has two daughters from previous marriages: Cathy, 59, whom he had with his first wife Laraine Brennan; and Domenica, nearly 49, whom he had with his second wife Julia Cameron. But Francesca is clearly the apple of his eye, and their bond is evident in every post she shares with him on social media.

One recent snap showed the Scorsese father-daughter duo wrapped up in a warm hug, with Martin captioned "I would choose my dad to be my dad in every lifetime again and again and again." It's clear that Francesca adores her father, and he's just as devoted to her.

As we know, Martin is on the cusp of EGOT status (he's already won an Academy Award, a Tony Award, multiple Grammy Awards, and has been nominated for numerous Emmy Awards). But it's clear that his greatest achievement is not his impressive filmography but his ability to balance his career with family life.

Back in 2020, the Christmas Eve in Miller's Point actress filmed a 'letter to my mama' detailing her struggle with the progressive neurological disorder that affects movement and other bodily functions as well as her own struggle as the child of a sick parent

In fact, we're told that Martin will next appear in Rebecca Miller's five-part docuseries "Mr. Scorsese," which premieres on Apple TV+ on October 17. The series features new interviews with some of Martin's closest friends and colleagues, including Robert De Niro, Jay Cocks, Daniel Day-Lewis, Leonardo DiCaprio, Rodrigo Prieto, Isabella Rossellini, Thelma Schoonmaker, Steven Spielberg, and Sharon Stone.

Francesca has certainly played a role in promoting the series on social media, sharing behind-the-scenes peeks at her father's work. And with her own filmmaking career taking off, we can't help but wonder what the future holds for this talented young woman.

One thing is certain: Francesca Scorsese has got her family's love and support, and it shows in every post she shares on social media. So here's to Helen Morris Scorsese, a true warrior who inspires us all with her courage and resilience in the face of adversity.