Mary Bonnet I'm a Survivor

The Selling Sunset star opens up to Us about finding peace following her teen pregnancy, harrowing sexual assault and fertility challenges

- LEANNE ACIZ STANTON

As vice president of the Oppenheim Group — and one of the stars of the luxury real estate office’s series, Selling Sunset — Mary Bonnet embodies everything a Boss Babe should be. But behind her impressive sales history and chic outfits, the TV personality, 44, spent years suffering in silence. “There were so many days I would cry and [say], ‘Why does it have to be this hard?’” Bonnet tells Us.

In Selling Sunshine: Surviving Teenage Motherhood, Thriving in Luxury Real Estate, and Finally Finding My Voice (out Sept. 24), Bonnet sets herself free by opening up about overcoming obstacles she’s faced over the years: becoming a mom as a junior in high school, being the victim of rape and facing health issues, including multiple pregnancy losses. Though revisiting her past wasn’t easy (“There was a lot of crying,” she admits), the reality star hopes sharing her story inspires those dealing with similar issues. “I wanted to make them realize that whatever situation they’re in, whether it’s domestic violence or sexual assault, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.” Bonnet talks with Us about weathering many storms — and coming out on top.

Why was now the right time for you to share your life with the world?

I always thought about [writing a book]. When I was open about having ADHD and IBS, I had so many people [saying], “Thank you for sharing.” People feel embarrassed about certain things. [Even] with the miscarriage and sharing my story about being a teenage mom, there’s a lot of single moms and young moms that feel like they’ve got no hope. I was there many times, so I wanted to give other people hope. Let [what] happened to me help other people.

In Selling Sunshine, you open up about becoming pregnant at 15. Did being a teen mom make you resilient?