POSTED 19 DECEMBER 2010

Margaret Trudeau writes about changing her mind*

In her first book for more than 30 years, Canada’s former first lady, Margaret Trudeau, tells the story of her controversial life as both a public figure and a private citizen, and her lifelong struggle with bipolar disorder.

Under intense international scrutiny, Margaret Trudeau has lived a life of highs and lows. In a love story that shocked the world, she became the youngest First Lady when at age 22 she married Pierre Trudeau, a man almost 30 years her senior and the 15th Prime Minister of Canada.

Refusing to submit to traditional expectations, she became synonymous with scandal and intrigue internationally. She was criticised for wearing an inappropriately short dress to an official White House dinner. She acted as Fidel Castro’s photographer for a day; burst into song at a state dinner for the President of Venezuela; and rather than celebrate her sixth wedding anniversary with her husband, she spent a legendary weekend with the Rolling Stones, leading to rumours of trysts with Mick Jagger and Ron Wood.

But happiness was short-lived for Margaret, who suffered a series of tragic losses: divorce from Pierre Trudeau, the death of her youngest son in a skiing accident, and divorce from her second husband. Margaret spiralled through suicidal depression and undiagnosed mania and was finally diagnosed and treated for bipolar disorder.

Working hard to regain control of her life, she is currently a national mental health advocate who has been awarded the Society of Biological Psychiatry Humanitarian Award for her efforts to help and inspire people suffering from mental illness.

In this poignant memoir, Margaret Trudeau reveals her courageous lifetime struggle with mental illness and her journey of recovery, acceptance, and hope.

*Based on media release issued by HarperCollins.

PUBLISHING DETAILS

Changing My Mind, by Margaret Trudeau | 352 pages hardback $49.99 | Published by HarperCollins