How I Escaped From My Son's Cult

Scientology leader David Miscavige’s dad spills on the religion famed by Tom Cruise – and his own son

He was once a carefree, playful lad until proud parent Ron Miscavige introduced his son David – who was only nine at the time – to Scientology. The loving boy he thought he knew then changed forever.

“When I compare the happy, fun-loving boy I raised to the man he has become, the images of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde spring immediately to mind,” says Ron.

Rising through the ranks, David, now 58, was declared head of the Church of Scientology in 1986 following the death of founder L Ron Hubbard.

Now, Ron gives a brutal and honest insight into his decades as a Scientologist and spills the beans on Mission: Impossible star Tom Cruise’s devotion to the church, as one of its most valued members.

“Tom looks up to David as the top spiritual being on the planet,” Ron reveals. “He idolises him.

“If anything, Tom runs whatever decision he has to make through David, not the other way around.”