The Tragic Life of the Talented Natalie Wood

#2: Maria Was Controlling and Determined to Make Her Daughter a Star

From the time Natalie could walk, her mother Maria treated her as a vessel for success. She carefully dressed her, rehearsed lines with her, and pushed her toward the film industry. Maria’s belief in Natalie’s destiny as a star became the driving force behind the family’s every decision.

Behind that determination was fear—fear of poverty, obscurity, and failure. Maria often used manipulation to get Natalie to perform, sometimes making her cry on cue for emotional scenes. Natalie learned early that love, approval, and achievement were inseparable, setting the stage for a lifetime of performing both on and off camera.