In his memoir Greenlights, Matthew McConaughey reveals painful experiences from his youth, including being blackmailed into sex at 15 and sexually assaulted at 18 while unconscious in the back of a van. He also writes that he once feared he was going to hell for having premarital sex.
Despite the trauma, the Oscar-winning actor says he has never seen himself as a victim, adding that he believes “the world is conspiring to make me happy.”
McConaughey went on to build a major career, earning an Academy Award for Dallas Buyers Club and starring in hits like Interstellar and True Detective. Beyond Hollywood, he has supported anti–sexual assault initiatives, including helping students get home safely at the University of Texas.
In his memoir, he also reflects on his parents’ turbulent relationship. By sharing his story, McConaughey hopes to shed light on abuse and encourage others to speak out.