Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · September 1, 2025 · Entertainment

Gabrielle Anwar's Brave Revelation: Battling Bipolar Disorder Behind the Glitz

A former '90s bombshell has laid bare her secret mental health battle - revealing she spent years struggling with bipolar disorder behind the scenes

EXCLUSIVE: Former 90s Bombshell Gabrielle Anwar Opens Up About Her Secret Struggle with Bipolar Disorder

In a shocking revelation, actress Gabrielle Anwar has laid bare her secret battle with bipolar disorder, revealing that she spent years struggling to cope with the pressures of fame and attention while living with an undiagnosed mental health condition.

The 55-year-old star, who rose to fame in the 1990s as one of Hollywood's most sought-after leading ladies, has been open about her struggles with bipolar disorder in a recent essay for The Scholarly Note. With a career spanning over three decades, Anwar's journey to self-discovery and recovery is a testament to her strength and resilience.

Gabrielle Anwar, 55, was one of the most well-known faces in Hollywood throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. She's seen in 1992

A Child Suffering in Silence

Anwar's struggle with mental health began at a young age. Growing up in the UK, she recalls feeling like something was wrong since childhood. "I look back at photos of myself as a child, and I see someone who was hollow and vacant," she said. By the time she hit adolescence, Anwar was emotionally unstable, experiencing her first manic episode around age 11.

Her parents, although well-intentioned, didn't have the tools to help her navigate these struggles. "They loved me, but they didn't know what I was going through," Anwar explained. Her emotional instability led to expulsion from school and feelings of deep shame.

She acted in If Looks Could Kill, Scent of a Woman alongside Al Pacino (seen), the horror flick Body Snatchers, and The Three Musketeers throughout the '90s, amongst other things

A Rising Star's Dark Secret

Anwar's acting career took off in the late 1980s, with roles in British TV series Hideaway and Paul McCartney's music video for Pretty Little Head. She quickly made a name for herself in Hollywood, appearing alongside Al Pacino in Scent of a Woman and starring in horror flick Body Snatchers.

However, behind the scenes, Anwar's mental health issues worsened. "Acting made me feel alive, even as I battled depression privately," she reflected. "On screen, I could channel my emotional extremes into my characters. But behind the scenes, I was drowning."

But now, she has revealed that she struggled to handle the massive fame and attention that was thrust upon her while dealing with undiagnosed bipolar disorder. She's seen in 2007

A Secret Pregnancy and Relationship Turmoil

In 1993, during a break from her relationship with Craig Sheffer, Anwar had a secret pregnancy. Her daughter, Willow, was born later that year. Although she and Sheffer attempted to raise their child together, their relationship wasn't stable.

"I thought we were happy, but in reality, our relationship was toxic," Anwar admitted. They eventually split, and Anwar went on to marry actor John Verea in 2000. The couple had two children together, Hugo and Paisley, before divorcing in 2005.

Soon after her career took off Gabrielle started dating fellow actor Craig Sheffer (seen in 1995), but after she welcomed her daughter, she admitted that their 'relationship wasn't great'

A Descent into Darkness

Anwar's mental health struggles reached a boiling point during this period. She checked herself into a psychiatric hospital, where she was finally diagnosed with bipolar disorder. "It was both a relief and a heartbreak," she said. "Relief that my pain had a name. Heartbreak that there was no cure."

Despite her diagnosis, Anwar resisted medication for years, opting instead for a holistic approach to wellness. "I saw pharmaceuticals as a flaw, something shameful," she explained. However, this decision only made things worse.

During a recent essay for Business Insider, Gabrielle (seen recently) said, 'On screen, I could channel my emotional extremes into my characters. But behind the scenes, I was drowning'

A Violent Episode and a New Love

Anwar's struggles with bipolar disorder reached a new low when she experienced violent rages that frightened those around her. She recalled punching her now-husband, Shareef Malnik, in the face twice during an episode early in their relationship.

"I thought he'd walk away," Anwar said. "Instead, he stayed. He loved all of me, even the broken parts." The couple started dating in 2010 and tied the knot five years later in 2015.

Gabrielle started dating Shareef Malnik, son of businessman Alvin Malnik, in 2010, and they tied the knot five years later in 2015. They're seen together recently

A Journey to Recovery

Anwar eventually agreed to start taking medication but found it took time to find the right combination. "Healing doesn't happen overnight," she emphasized. Her journey to recovery has been a long and winding road, filled with setbacks and triumphs.

Today, Anwar is grateful for her diagnosis and the support of those around her. She's proud of the work she's done in raising awareness about mental health and encouraging others to speak out.

'I used to think I was broken. Now I know I'm whole,' she concluded. 'I'm not perfect, but I'm here, I'm healthy, and I'm doing the work. And that, to me, is the real happy ending'

A New Chapter as a Grandmother

As Anwar navigates this new chapter in her life, she's been blessed with a beautiful granddaughter born in 2024. "My daughter and I have rebuilt our relationship, something we once thought impossible," Anwar said. "Now, we're in a beautiful place. And I get to be the kind of loving, present force for my granddaughter that I wasn't able to be for my kids."

Anwar's story is a testament to her strength and resilience. From the highs of fame to the lows of mental health struggles, she's come out on top. "I used to think I was broken," Anwar concluded. "Now I know I'm whole."