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A man and a young lady | Source: Shutterstock A man and a young lady | Source: Shutterstock My Late Mom Left Me a Trust Fund, but My Dad Took Money from It for His Stepdaughter — I Finally Retaliated Rita Kumar By Rita Kumar Mar 07, 2025 08:37 A.M. Shareshare-button Share this pen FacebookFacebook XX LinkedInLinkedIn EmailEmail https://thecelebritist.com/my-late-mom-left-me-a-trust-fund-but-my-2/ Copy Link My mom was my everything, and when cancer took her, she left me memories and a lifeline — a trust fund meant for my future. When my dad greedily started using it for his stepdaughter, it felt like he was erasing Mom’s memory piece by piece. I couldn’t let him take what was left of her or me. Advertisement There’s this thing about losing someone you love — you carry the weight of it forever, even if it doesn’t show. I lost my mom to breast cancer when I was ten. One day, she was there, brushing my hair and humming to some old rock song, and the next, she was gone. Just like that. A grieving young woman mourning before a loved one’s grave | Source: Freepik A grieving young woman mourning before a loved one’s grave | Source: Freepik I remember our last conversation like it was yesterday. She was sitting on her hospital bed, her fingers weakly running through my hair. “Promise me something, baby girl,” she whispered. “Anything, Mom,” I said, trying to hold back my tears. “Promise me you’ll never let anyone dim your light. You’re so special, Iris. So incredibly special.” Advertisement A sad woman sitting on a hospital bed | Source: Pexels A sad woman sitting on a hospital bed | Source: Pexels She didn’t leave me with much — just a few photos, the smell of her favorite vanilla perfume lingering on her scarves, and a trust fund she set up for me before she passed. “This is for Iris,” she’d told my dad and my grandparents. “For her education and her future. Promise me she’ll always have it.” They promised. My dad promised too. But promises don’t mean much when someone’s not around to hold you to them. A trust agreement on a table | Source: Midjourney A trust agreement on a table | Source: Midjourney Advertisement My dad remarried two years later. His new wife, Marianne, came with her own baggage: a twelve-year-old daughter named Emily. I didn’t mind at first. Mom was gone, and I thought maybe this could be a new chapter. But I quickly learned how things would work in our house: Emily first, Marianne second, Dad somewhere in the mix, and me? Not even in the picture! An annoyed girl | Source: Pexels An annoyed girl | Source: Pexels It started small. Once, our fridge and shower broke at the same time. Dad took money from the trust fund without my permission to fix them. “I’ll pay it back,” he said like it was no big deal. A week later, he bought Emily a MacBook for her birthday. On mine? A $100 gift card. Advertisement It wasn’t the money — it was the message. Over the years, he kept dipping into the fund for car repairs, home renovations, and things that had nothing to do with me. “It’s just temporary,” he’d always say. But the withdrawals kept piling up, and the “temporary” excuses wore thin. A frustrated teenage girl | Source: Pexels A frustrated teenage girl | Source: Pexels By the time I got to college, I didn’t need the money for tuition because of my scholarship. That didn’t stop him from finding new ways to use it, though. Every time I brought it up, he brushed me off. “Don’t stress, Iris. It’s safe.” Safe. Right. “You understand, don’t you, Iris?” That’s what he’d always say when something I needed got pushed aside for Emily. New clothes for her pageant? Sure. My vacation? Maybe next year. It stung, but I swallowed it down. Advertisement But the swallowing got harder. I’ll never forget the day I realized how much of Mom’s trust fund was gone. It was late one night during my final year of college. I’d overheard Emily talking to her friends about how “Daddy” was covering the cost of her new car. My stomach twisted as I thought about the fund. A delighted woman talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney A delighted woman talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney “Can you believe it?” Emily squealed through the thin walls. “A brand new BMW! Daddy said I deserve it for making it to nationals!” My hands trembled as I sat at my desk, memories of Mom’s words echoing in my head: “This is for Iris. For her future.” It had been years since I’d seen the account. My dad had told me not to “stress over it.” But now, something felt off, and I decided to check it. Advertisement I logged into the account, and my heart sank. The numbers didn’t make sense. Thousands were missing. Pageant fees. A water heater. Emily’s car. Every withdrawal was like a punch in the gut. A woman using a laptop | Source: Pexels A woman using a laptop | Source: Pexels By the time I closed my laptop, my hands were shaking. This wasn’t just money. It was Mom’s legacy. She’d trusted Dad to protect it, and he’d drained it like it was his personal wallet. I called my grandma the next morning. “Sweetheart,” she said after I told her everything. “This has gone on long enough. You have to stand up to him.” “I can’t breathe, Grandma,” I sobbed into the phone. “It feels like he’s erasing Mom piece by piece. Like he’s erasing ME.” Advertisement “Oh, my sweet girl,” she whispered. “Your mother would be furious right now. She fought so hard to make sure you’d be taken care of.” “I know,” I cried, my throat tight. “I trusted when he said he’d put the money back. But he’s only been draining Mom’s hard-earned money.” A worried older woman talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney A worried older woman talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney “Your mother was a fighter,” Grandma added. “And so are you. It’s time to show them that.” “I will when the right time comes,” I said, my heart heavy as I hung up. It all came to a head a week later. Graduation was around the corner, and I was finally ready to celebrate after four years of sleepless nights and busted printer deadlines. I called Dad and told him I was graduating on December 20th. I could hear the pause on the other end of the line, long enough for my stomach to drop. Advertisement A woman calling her father | Source: Midjourney A woman calling her father | Source: Midjourney “Oh, December 20th?” he said finally. “That’s when Emily’s pageant is. We’ve already made plans.” “You’re missing my graduation for a pageant?” “Ah, c’mon, Iris. Graduation’s not a big deal. You’ll have more of those. But this pageant? It’s her chance to shine.” I didn’t even realize I was gripping my phone so hard until my fingers started to hurt. “You’re kidding, right?” A woman engrossed in a phonecall | Source: Pexels A woman engrossed in a phonecall | Source: Pexels Advertisement I heard Marianne chime in, her tone dripping with condescension from the background. “Don’t be selfish, Iris. Graduations happen all the time. Emily’s pageant is once-in-a-lifetime.” “Selfish?” I spat. “Dad, this isn’t about being selfish. This is about you choosing Emily over me. Again.” “That’s not fair —” he protested. “Not fair? You want to talk about fair? When was the last time you chose me? When was the last time you even saw me?” A man on a phonecall | Source: Midjourney A man on a phonecall | Source: Midjourney “Of course I see you, Iris.” “No, you DON’T!” The words burst out of me like a dam breaking. “You see Emily. You see her pageants and her dance recitals and her EVERYTHING. But me? I’m just the ghost in the corner. Mom’s leftover that you don’t know what to do with.” Advertisement “Iris, that’s enough!” “No, it’s not enough! It’s never been enough!” I cried, years of hurt pouring out. “Do you know what Mom’s last words to me were? She made me promise not to let anyone dim my light. But you’ve been doing exactly that for years, Dad. Years!” A furious woman talking on the phone | Source: Pexels A furious woman talking on the phone | Source: Pexels He sighed like I was being unreasonable. “We’ll celebrate when we’re back. I promise.” The word “promise” hit me like a slap. “Your promises don’t mean anything anymore,” I whispered. “They haven’t since Mom died.” I hung up without saying goodbye. My grandparents, at least, showed up for my graduation. Seeing their proud faces in the crowd made the day feel a little less lonely. They hugged me so tightly afterward, reminding me that someone still cared. I was happy, but I had one last thing to do. Advertisement A heartbroken woman | Source: Midjourney A heartbroken woman | Source: Midjourney The next day, I walked into Dad’s office with the account statements in hand. My stomach was doing backflips, but I couldn’t let that stop me. “We need to talk,” I said, shutting the door behind me and dropping the papers on his desk. Dad looked up from his computer, frowning. “What’s this?” “The trust fund statement. Mom’s trust fund. The one you’ve been draining for years.” His face paled, but he tried to play it off. “Iris, come on. Everything I’ve spent was for the family. You’ve never needed it. You had a scholarship.” “That money wasn’t for the family,” I cut in. “It was for ME. For MY future. And you spent it on Emily. Don’t even try to deny it. The statements don’t lie.” Advertisement A stack of documents on a table | Source: Midjourney A stack of documents on a table | Source: Midjourney “You don’t understand what it’s like,” he stood up, his voice rising. “Being a father, trying to blend two families —” “And you don’t understand what it’s like watching your father erase every trace of your mother!” I shot back. “That money was the last thing she could give me, and you treated it like your personal ATM!” He leaned back in his chair, his jaw tightening. “I did what I had to do.” “No,” I said, standing my ground. “You did what was convenient for you. And now you’re going to pay it back. Every penny.” His laugh was bitter. “And if I don’t?” Advertisement “Then I’ll sue you.” A woman crossing her arms and pointing her finger at someone | Source: Pexels A woman crossing her arms and pointing her finger at someone | Source: Pexels The room went silent. For the first time in my life, I saw real fear in his eyes. “You wouldn’t,” he said finally. “Mom always said I had her backbone,” I replied. “Maybe it’s time you remembered that.” The fallout was as messy as I expected. My stepmom and stepsister called me, yelling through the phone. “How could you do this, Iris?” Marianne’s voice was shrill like I had personally burned their house down. “Do what?” I said, gripping my phone tighter. “Stand up for myself? Demand the respect I’ve never gotten from you people?” Advertisement An annoyed senior woman | Source: Midjourney An annoyed senior woman | Source: Midjourney “Don’t make this about you,” she snapped. “You’re punishing us because we couldn’t be in two places at once. You know how much Emily’s pageant meant to her!” “And my graduation didn’t mean anything to you,” I fired back. “I’ve had enough, Marianne. I’m done.” “How dare you? After everything we’ve done for you?” “Done for me?” I laughed hollowly. “What exactly have you done except try to replace everything about Mom?” A young woman laughing | Source: Midjourney A young woman laughing | Source: Midjourney Advertisement “I tried to be a mother to you!” “No,” I snapped. “You tried to erase my mother. There’s a difference.” She called me a “selfish” brat. But I didn’t back down. Under the U.S. law, she and Dad had no leg to stand on. My grandparents helped me draft the legal documents, and by the time I handed them over, Dad knew he was out of options. Read also Stories My Late Mom Left Me a Trust Fund, but My Dad Took Money from It for His Stepdaughter — I Finally Retaliated January 28, 2025 Stories 4 Times Entitled People Demanded or Took What Wasn’t Theirs and Got What They Deserved January 09, 2025 Evil Stepmothers Who Met Their Match: Stories of Karma Catching Up in the Most Unexpected Ways November 29, 2024 A month later, the money was back in my account. They’d taken out loans to do it, but that wasn’t my problem. I moved out the next week and settled into my grandparents’ house temporarily. It felt good to be somewhere warm and safe for once. A woman with a suitcase and bag | Source: Pexels A woman with a suitcase and bag | Source: Pexels Advertisement “You’ve always been stronger than you think, Iris,” Grandma said one night as we sat on the porch. She wrapped her cardigan around my shoulders, and it smelled like Mom’s vanilla perfume. “I didn’t feel strong,” I admitted, staring at the stars. “I just felt angry.” “Sometimes, anger is what we need to get moving,” she said with a smile. “Your mother… she knew this might happen, you know. That’s why she made us promise to watch over you.” “She did?” “Oh yes. She said, ‘My Iris might bend, but she’ll never break.’ She knew exactly who you were, sweetheart.” I handed her a check the next day, a portion of the repaid money. She tried to refuse it, but I insisted. “You and Grandpa have done more for me than anyone else ever has. Please. Let me do this.” A woman holding a check | Source: Midjourney A woman holding a check | Source: Midjourney Advertisement She hugged me so tightly that I thought I might break. “We’re so proud of you. And your mom… oh, she would be over the moon.” With the rest of the money, I enrolled in grad school and got my own apartment. It wasn’t fancy, but it was mine. One night, as I unpacked some boxes, I came across an old photo of Mom and me. She was holding me in her lap, her smile soft and warm. “I did it, Mom,” I whispered, running my fingers over the photo. “I kept my promise. I didn’t let them dim my light.” A woman holding an old photograph | Source: Midjourney A woman holding an old photograph | Source: Midjourney My phone buzzed with a message from Dad. But I didn’t open it. Advertisement Instead, I texted Grandma: “I think I’m finally free.” Her reply was immediate: “You are, sweetheart. You are. Your mother is probably dancing in heaven right now.” I set the phone aside and smiled, my eyes misty. For the first time in years, I felt like I was finally living for me. Living how Mom had always wanted me to… bright and unafraid. An emotional young woman | Source: Midjourney An emotional young woman | Source: Midjourney Here’s another story: Just a month after my mother’s death, my father easily moved on and brought his mistress home for Christmas. My heart shattered when he introduced her as my “NEW MOM.” However, it wasn’t the only thing that left me crushed. This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author. The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher. Advertisement Advertisement Related posts Bride’s Mom Sees Groom Entering Bathroom with Bridesmaid in the Middle of Wedding – Story of the Day January 08, 2025 Stories My Parents Forbade Me from Moving Out — When I Discovered Their Real Reason, I Immediately Called the Police December 18, 2024 Stories of Stepkids Who Changed Their Stepparents’ Lives Forever December 24, 2024 Stories 6 Stories About In-Laws Who Went Too Far with Their Actions December 04, 2024 Stories 6 Stories of Little Kids Who Exposed Family Secrets by Accident December 13, 2024 Stories My Stepmom Stole $5,000 from My College Fund to Install Veneers for Herself — Karma Hit Her Hard January 24, 2025 Stories My Husband Left Our Kids Home Alone & Left for Our Friends’ Wedding Without Me but He Didn’t Know a Small Detail January 20, 2025 Stories Greedy Dad Wants His Daughter to Inherit His Wife’s Family Necklace Intended for His Stepdaughter December 17, 2024 Stories 4 Epic Stories About Entitled Soon-to-Be Spouses Who Got What They Deserved January 15, 2025 My New Wife Demanded I Use My Late Wife’s Money Left for Our Kids on Her Daughters — My Lesson Was Strict December 11, 2024 Just a Month After Mom’s Death, Dad Brought a Young Mistress Into Our Home for Christmas – I Was Shocked When I Saw Her December 19, 2024 Stories My Sister Secretly Put Our Parents in a Nursing Home & Tried to Sell Their House Behind My Back but I Turned the Tables on Them February 20, 2025 Stories After My Father’s Death, My Stepmom Kicked Me Out — I Never Expected She’d Beg Me to Return a Week Later January 14, 2025 Stories I Cut My Niece Off from the College Fund After I Overheard Her Conversation with My Ex-wife February 09, 2025 logo TheCelebritist creates engaging, meaningful content for women. 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Pierce Brosnan’s Wife Keely Reportedly Loses Around 100 Lbs – Her Stunning Before & After Photos Spark Awe

Pierce Brosnan’s Wife Keely Reportedly Loses Around 100 Lbs – Her Stunning Before & After Photos Spark Awe

The actor’s wife once shared that she proudly embraces her body just the way it is. In response, he expressed his deep admiration, saying he adored the shape of the woman who gave him his children.

Pierce Brosnan and his longtime wife, Keely Shaye Smith, were recently seen together in public, and Smith appeared strikingly different from how she looked in years past. Take a look at photos showcasing her transformation through the years.

On March 31, 2025, Brosnan and Smith stepped out for the “MobLand” premiere in New York City. The actor wore a sharp blue suit paired with a crisp white shirt and a silver tie. His short, white-gray hair was neatly slicked back, adding to his polished look.

Smith looked stunning in a black lace mini dress with three-quarter sleeves, proudly showcasing her remarkable transformation — reportedly shedding close to 100 pounds.

Keely Shaye Smith and Pierce Brosnan pictured on January 1, 1995, in Sidney, Australia. | Source: Getty Images.

The red carpet moment offered a closer glimpse at her striking presence. Smith’s appearance in photos revealed a noticeably slimmer figure, with her face appearing more defined and her arms visibly leaner. Her legs looked toned, and her overall silhouette showed a significant change.

Pierce Brosnan and Keely Shaye Smith at the Infiniti Tennis Tournament on July 31, 1995, in Westwood, California. | Source: Getty Images.

Her physical change was clear, though the self-assurance she carried had always been evident. In a past interview, Smith said, “I never shy away from … my curves. I never hide in baggy clothing.”.

Keely Shaye Smith and Pierce Brosnan attend the Beverly Hills premiere of “Michael Collins,” 1996 | Source: Getty Images.

Meanwhile, Brosnan, when speaking about his beloved wife, stated, “I strongly love every curve of her body. She is the most beautiful woman in my eyes.” The film producer revealed that friends had suggested surgery to Smith to lose weight.

Keely Shaye Smith and Dylan Thomas at the Revlon Run/Walk on May 12, 1997 | Source: Getty Images.

Her latest appearance, showing a visibly slimmer figure, has drawn fresh attention to the physique that once launched her modeling career. Smith’s time in the modeling industry was brief. In one interview, she explained the reason for stepping away, “I realized at some point I was propagating a beauty myth, so I left modeling and acted for a year.”.

Keely Shaye Smith and Pierce Brosnan attend the 51St Bafta British Academy Film Awards on April 11, 1999 | Source: Getty Images.

After stepping away from modeling, Smith began to explore new avenues that felt more meaningful to her. A lifelong gardener, she made a guest appearance on ABC’s “Home Show,” where she discussed plants and vegetables.

Pierce Brosnan and Keely Shaye Smith pictured at the14th Carousel of Hope Ball on October 28, 2000 | Source: Getty Images.

Her knowledge and comfort on camera led to more frequent appearances, eventually becoming a permanent role. Today, Smith is widely recognized for her work in media and activism.

Keely Shaye Smith and Pierce Brosnan during the 10th Annual Environmental Media Awards on December 6, 2000, in Santa Monica, California. | Source: Getty Images.

The California native is an award-winning broadcast journalist and a prominent advocate for environmental and social issues. Over the years, she has covered subjects ranging from wildlife protection and climate concerns to celebrity features and criminal investigations.

Pierce Brosnan and Keely Shaye Smith during the 25th Annual Crystal Awards – Women in Film on June 8, 2001, in Century City, California. | Source: Getty Images.

Her past roles include serving as an entertainment correspondent for CBS’s “Entertainment Tonight” and NBC’s weekend edition of the “Today Show.” Her career continued to evolve, and her personal life became just as fulfilling. Smith and Brosnan have been married for 23 years. Their paths first crossed during a trip to Mexico in 1994.

Keely Shaye-Smith and Pierce Brosnan arrive for world premiere of “Die Another Day,” 2002 | Source: Getty Images.

The brunette beauty recalled that encounter and admitted she was immediately drawn to the actor, describing him as “captivating” and noting a “mischievous sparkle in his eyes.”.

Pierce Brosnan and Keely Shaye Smith spotted on January 14, 2004, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images.

In the same interview, Brosnan shared his admiration for Smith, stating, “I found a great woman in Keely Shaye. Not if I searched a million times over would I find one as good.” The couple wed in August 2001 after years together.

Keely Shaye Smith and Pierce Brosnan arrive at the 77th Annual Academy Awards on February 27, 2005, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images.

The veteran actor often honors their relationship on Instagram, posting heartfelt tributes during birthdays and anniversaries. In one Instagram post in October 2013, he shared a photo of himself and Smith seated closely with relaxed expressions. Alongside the image, Brosnan wrote, “My North Star Keely Shaye.”.

Keely Shaye Smith and Pierce Brosnan attend the 63rd Annual Golden Globe Awards on January 16, 2006, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images.

His timeline features more moments that offer a glimpse into their long-standing union. In August 2022, the “James Bond” star posted a photo from the couple’s wedding day.

Keely Shaye Smith and Pierce Brosnan arrive at the UK film premiere of “Mamma Mia!” 2008 | Source: Getty Images.

The image showed him and Smith in their bridal attire, arms wrapped around each other. In the caption, he marked their anniversary by saying they had danced that night, continued to dance together even now, and that he would gladly do it all again.

Keely Shaye Smith and Pierce Brosnan attend REMEMBER ME Red-Carpet Arrivals on March 1, 2010, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images.

The tributes did not stop there, as Brosnan continued to commemorate milestones with heartfelt posts. In August 2024, the Hollywood star shared a collage of photos featuring moments with Smith through the years — on the beach, at events, and in casual settings.

Keely Shaye Smith and Pierce Brosnan are seen on March 1, 2015, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images.

To celebrate their 23rd anniversary, he wrote a message describing her as his “beautiful brown eyed girl” and compared her to all directions in his life — “my north, my south, my east and west.” He ended the post by expressing that should he ever fall behind, he hoped she would wait for him.

Keely Shaye Smith and Pierce Brosnan arrive at the MOCA Gala on April 29, 2017, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images.

That anniversary tribute was one of many instances where Brosnan has shared glimpses into their relationship. During an interview, he recalled a getaway with Smith that captured their bond.

Pierce Brosnan and Keely Shaye Smith photographed on August 30, 2017, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images.

Describing a road trip to Santa Barbara, the public figure mentioned they spent the time talking and enjoying one another’s company without music, saying they “just listened to the sounds of each other’s voices and sorted out the world.”.

Keely Shaye Smith and Pierce Brosnan arrive at the amfAR 25th Annual Cinema Against AIDS gala on May 17, 2018, in France. | Source: Getty Images.

Their long marriage has been marked by these quiet, meaningful moments. When asked about a perfect day off, Brosnan replied without hesitation. It had been the day before — he painted in his studio, relaxed on the beach, read, sketched, and then shared lunch with Smith.

Keely Shaye Smith and Pierce Brosnan attend the UK premiere of “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again,” 2018 | Source: Getty Images.

The calm of the day carried into the evening, closing with another shared moment between the couple. Following time spent painting in his Malibu studio, Brosnan watched the sunset with Smith beside him.

The two lovebirds sipped champagne and talked about the day’s events. The movie star noted, “It’s very simple — and the best.” Their routine moments together reveal the quiet strength behind their decades-long bond.

In another interview, Brosnan described the core of their relationship, stating that they like and love each other deeply. He acknowledged that, like many families, they have also faced numerous hardships.

Pierce Brosnan and Keely Shaye Smith attend the Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” on May 1, 2023, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images.

The Irish native spoke of the experience as a spiritual journey — watching one another grow and age over time, noting changes in appearance such as hair or waistline, but emphasizing that what mattered was the love held in the heart.

Pierce Brosnan and Keely Shaye Smith pictured on March 7, 2024, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images.

Brosnan credits Smith for being consistently supportive throughout their life as a couple and as parents. His admiration also includes the life they built together as a partnership.

The family man referred to his beloved wife as an artist and credited her with creating a strong family foundation for their sons, Dylan and Paris Brosnan. According to the now 71-year-old, Smith has always given him the freedom to pursue his career, allowing him to go out into the world and continue his work as an actor.

Keely Shaye Smith and Pierce Brosnan attend the New York premiere of “MobLand,” 2025 | Source: Getty Images.

He also deeply appreciated her for their family, describing the 61-year-old as a remarkable mother and woman. Over 27 years, he had watched her grow and their life together flourish. Brosnan noted there are still many dreams to be fulfilled.

Keely Shaye Smith and Pierce Brosnan at the New York premiere of “MobLand,” 2025 | Source: Getty Images.

That shared sense of admiration has always gone both ways. In another interview, Smith described Brosnan as being generous and kind, calling his heart “big” and “warm.”.

Keely Shaye Smith and Pierce Brosnan pictured at the New York premiere of “MobLand,” 2025 | Source: Getty Images.

The couple also spoke about what has kept their marriage strong through the years. Brosnan pointed to their ability to work through challenges consistently, saying it came down to solving problems over time and genuinely enjoying one another’s company. Smith added that being best friends made all the difference.

Keely Shaye Smith and Pierce Brosnan at the New York premiere of “MobLand,” 2025 | Source: Getty Images.

Their views on lasting love were shaped by shared experiences and what each had endured before finding one another. The actor’s first marriage was to actress Cassandra Harris, whom he wed in 1980.

They welcomed their son, Sean Brosnan, in September 1983. The family patriarch also adopted Harris’s two children, Charlotte and Christopher Brosnan, from her earlier marriage. In December 1991, Harris died after battling ovarian cancer. Years later, her then-widowed husband shared that their family treasured every second they had had with her.

The father of five remembered the Australian native as someone with incredible energy, a sharp instinct for understanding people, and a memorable sense of humor. According to him, her children carried on her unmistakable laugh. That sense of connection lives on through memories and the growing family he now cherishes.

The “Mamma Mia” actor is a grandfather to four — two grandchildren from his son Sean and two more from Charlotte, his late daughter. She died from cancer in 2013.

Through decades of career highs, personal heartbreak, and quiet joys, Pierce Brosnan and Smith have built a life anchored in loyalty, shared growth, and unwavering support. Their story — rooted in deep admiration, family devotion, and the ability to find beauty in simple moments — continues to captivate.

From red carpet appearances to everyday sunsets shared over champagne, their bond has weathered time with grace. As they look ahead, hand in hand, their journey remains a powerful testament to enduring love and the quiet strength found in walking life’s path together.

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A man and a young lady | Source: Shutterstock A man and a young lady | Source: Shutterstock My Late Mom Left Me a Trust Fund, but My Dad Took Money from It for His Stepdaughter — I Finally Retaliated Rita Kumar By Rita Kumar Mar 07, 2025 08:37 A.M. Shareshare-button Share this pen FacebookFacebook XX LinkedInLinkedIn EmailEmail https://thecelebritist.com/my-late-mom-left-me-a-trust-fund-but-my-2/ Copy Link My mom was my everything, and when cancer took her, she left me memories and a lifeline — a trust fund meant for my future. When my dad greedily started using it for his stepdaughter, it felt like he was erasing Mom’s memory piece by piece. I couldn’t let him take what was left of her or me. Advertisement There’s this thing about losing someone you love — you carry the weight of it forever, even if it doesn’t show. I lost my mom to breast cancer when I was ten. One day, she was there, brushing my hair and humming to some old rock song, and the next, she was gone. Just like that. A grieving young woman mourning before a loved one’s grave | Source: Freepik A grieving young woman mourning before a loved one’s grave | Source: Freepik I remember our last conversation like it was yesterday. She was sitting on her hospital bed, her fingers weakly running through my hair. “Promise me something, baby girl,” she whispered. “Anything, Mom,” I said, trying to hold back my tears. “Promise me you’ll never let anyone dim your light. You’re so special, Iris. So incredibly special.” Advertisement A sad woman sitting on a hospital bed | Source: Pexels A sad woman sitting on a hospital bed | Source: Pexels She didn’t leave me with much — just a few photos, the smell of her favorite vanilla perfume lingering on her scarves, and a trust fund she set up for me before she passed. “This is for Iris,” she’d told my dad and my grandparents. “For her education and her future. Promise me she’ll always have it.” They promised. My dad promised too. But promises don’t mean much when someone’s not around to hold you to them. A trust agreement on a table | Source: Midjourney A trust agreement on a table | Source: Midjourney Advertisement My dad remarried two years later. His new wife, Marianne, came with her own baggage: a twelve-year-old daughter named Emily. I didn’t mind at first. Mom was gone, and I thought maybe this could be a new chapter. But I quickly learned how things would work in our house: Emily first, Marianne second, Dad somewhere in the mix, and me? Not even in the picture! An annoyed girl | Source: Pexels An annoyed girl | Source: Pexels It started small. Once, our fridge and shower broke at the same time. Dad took money from the trust fund without my permission to fix them. “I’ll pay it back,” he said like it was no big deal. A week later, he bought Emily a MacBook for her birthday. On mine? A $100 gift card. Advertisement It wasn’t the money — it was the message. Over the years, he kept dipping into the fund for car repairs, home renovations, and things that had nothing to do with me. “It’s just temporary,” he’d always say. But the withdrawals kept piling up, and the “temporary” excuses wore thin. A frustrated teenage girl | Source: Pexels A frustrated teenage girl | Source: Pexels By the time I got to college, I didn’t need the money for tuition because of my scholarship. That didn’t stop him from finding new ways to use it, though. Every time I brought it up, he brushed me off. “Don’t stress, Iris. It’s safe.” Safe. Right. “You understand, don’t you, Iris?” That’s what he’d always say when something I needed got pushed aside for Emily. New clothes for her pageant? Sure. My vacation? Maybe next year. It stung, but I swallowed it down. Advertisement But the swallowing got harder. I’ll never forget the day I realized how much of Mom’s trust fund was gone. It was late one night during my final year of college. I’d overheard Emily talking to her friends about how “Daddy” was covering the cost of her new car. My stomach twisted as I thought about the fund. A delighted woman talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney A delighted woman talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney “Can you believe it?” Emily squealed through the thin walls. “A brand new BMW! Daddy said I deserve it for making it to nationals!” My hands trembled as I sat at my desk, memories of Mom’s words echoing in my head: “This is for Iris. For her future.” It had been years since I’d seen the account. My dad had told me not to “stress over it.” But now, something felt off, and I decided to check it. Advertisement I logged into the account, and my heart sank. The numbers didn’t make sense. Thousands were missing. Pageant fees. A water heater. Emily’s car. Every withdrawal was like a punch in the gut. A woman using a laptop | Source: Pexels A woman using a laptop | Source: Pexels By the time I closed my laptop, my hands were shaking. This wasn’t just money. It was Mom’s legacy. She’d trusted Dad to protect it, and he’d drained it like it was his personal wallet. I called my grandma the next morning. “Sweetheart,” she said after I told her everything. “This has gone on long enough. You have to stand up to him.” “I can’t breathe, Grandma,” I sobbed into the phone. “It feels like he’s erasing Mom piece by piece. Like he’s erasing ME.” Advertisement “Oh, my sweet girl,” she whispered. “Your mother would be furious right now. She fought so hard to make sure you’d be taken care of.” “I know,” I cried, my throat tight. “I trusted when he said he’d put the money back. But he’s only been draining Mom’s hard-earned money.” A worried older woman talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney A worried older woman talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney “Your mother was a fighter,” Grandma added. “And so are you. It’s time to show them that.” “I will when the right time comes,” I said, my heart heavy as I hung up. It all came to a head a week later. Graduation was around the corner, and I was finally ready to celebrate after four years of sleepless nights and busted printer deadlines. I called Dad and told him I was graduating on December 20th. I could hear the pause on the other end of the line, long enough for my stomach to drop. Advertisement A woman calling her father | Source: Midjourney A woman calling her father | Source: Midjourney “Oh, December 20th?” he said finally. “That’s when Emily’s pageant is. We’ve already made plans.” “You’re missing my graduation for a pageant?” “Ah, c’mon, Iris. Graduation’s not a big deal. You’ll have more of those. But this pageant? It’s her chance to shine.” I didn’t even realize I was gripping my phone so hard until my fingers started to hurt. “You’re kidding, right?” A woman engrossed in a phonecall | Source: Pexels A woman engrossed in a phonecall | Source: Pexels Advertisement I heard Marianne chime in, her tone dripping with condescension from the background. “Don’t be selfish, Iris. Graduations happen all the time. Emily’s pageant is once-in-a-lifetime.” “Selfish?” I spat. “Dad, this isn’t about being selfish. This is about you choosing Emily over me. Again.” “That’s not fair —” he protested. “Not fair? You want to talk about fair? When was the last time you chose me? When was the last time you even saw me?” A man on a phonecall | Source: Midjourney A man on a phonecall | Source: Midjourney “Of course I see you, Iris.” “No, you DON’T!” The words burst out of me like a dam breaking. “You see Emily. You see her pageants and her dance recitals and her EVERYTHING. But me? I’m just the ghost in the corner. Mom’s leftover that you don’t know what to do with.” Advertisement “Iris, that’s enough!” “No, it’s not enough! It’s never been enough!” I cried, years of hurt pouring out. “Do you know what Mom’s last words to me were? She made me promise not to let anyone dim my light. But you’ve been doing exactly that for years, Dad. Years!” A furious woman talking on the phone | Source: Pexels A furious woman talking on the phone | Source: Pexels He sighed like I was being unreasonable. “We’ll celebrate when we’re back. I promise.” The word “promise” hit me like a slap. “Your promises don’t mean anything anymore,” I whispered. “They haven’t since Mom died.” I hung up without saying goodbye. My grandparents, at least, showed up for my graduation. Seeing their proud faces in the crowd made the day feel a little less lonely. They hugged me so tightly afterward, reminding me that someone still cared. I was happy, but I had one last thing to do. Advertisement A heartbroken woman | Source: Midjourney A heartbroken woman | Source: Midjourney The next day, I walked into Dad’s office with the account statements in hand. My stomach was doing backflips, but I couldn’t let that stop me. “We need to talk,” I said, shutting the door behind me and dropping the papers on his desk. Dad looked up from his computer, frowning. “What’s this?” “The trust fund statement. Mom’s trust fund. The one you’ve been draining for years.” His face paled, but he tried to play it off. “Iris, come on. Everything I’ve spent was for the family. You’ve never needed it. You had a scholarship.” “That money wasn’t for the family,” I cut in. “It was for ME. For MY future. And you spent it on Emily. Don’t even try to deny it. The statements don’t lie.” Advertisement A stack of documents on a table | Source: Midjourney A stack of documents on a table | Source: Midjourney “You don’t understand what it’s like,” he stood up, his voice rising. “Being a father, trying to blend two families —” “And you don’t understand what it’s like watching your father erase every trace of your mother!” I shot back. “That money was the last thing she could give me, and you treated it like your personal ATM!” He leaned back in his chair, his jaw tightening. “I did what I had to do.” “No,” I said, standing my ground. “You did what was convenient for you. And now you’re going to pay it back. Every penny.” His laugh was bitter. “And if I don’t?” Advertisement “Then I’ll sue you.” A woman crossing her arms and pointing her finger at someone | Source: Pexels A woman crossing her arms and pointing her finger at someone | Source: Pexels The room went silent. For the first time in my life, I saw real fear in his eyes. “You wouldn’t,” he said finally. “Mom always said I had her backbone,” I replied. “Maybe it’s time you remembered that.” The fallout was as messy as I expected. My stepmom and stepsister called me, yelling through the phone. “How could you do this, Iris?” Marianne’s voice was shrill like I had personally burned their house down. “Do what?” I said, gripping my phone tighter. “Stand up for myself? Demand the respect I’ve never gotten from you people?” Advertisement An annoyed senior woman | Source: Midjourney An annoyed senior woman | Source: Midjourney “Don’t make this about you,” she snapped. “You’re punishing us because we couldn’t be in two places at once. You know how much Emily’s pageant meant to her!” “And my graduation didn’t mean anything to you,” I fired back. “I’ve had enough, Marianne. I’m done.” “How dare you? After everything we’ve done for you?” “Done for me?” I laughed hollowly. “What exactly have you done except try to replace everything about Mom?” A young woman laughing | Source: Midjourney A young woman laughing | Source: Midjourney Advertisement “I tried to be a mother to you!” “No,” I snapped. “You tried to erase my mother. There’s a difference.” She called me a “selfish” brat. But I didn’t back down. Under the U.S. law, she and Dad had no leg to stand on. My grandparents helped me draft the legal documents, and by the time I handed them over, Dad knew he was out of options. Read also Stories My Late Mom Left Me a Trust Fund, but My Dad Took Money from It for His Stepdaughter — I Finally Retaliated January 28, 2025 Stories 4 Times Entitled People Demanded or Took What Wasn’t Theirs and Got What They Deserved January 09, 2025 Evil Stepmothers Who Met Their Match: Stories of Karma Catching Up in the Most Unexpected Ways November 29, 2024 A month later, the money was back in my account. They’d taken out loans to do it, but that wasn’t my problem. I moved out the next week and settled into my grandparents’ house temporarily. It felt good to be somewhere warm and safe for once. A woman with a suitcase and bag | Source: Pexels A woman with a suitcase and bag | Source: Pexels Advertisement “You’ve always been stronger than you think, Iris,” Grandma said one night as we sat on the porch. She wrapped her cardigan around my shoulders, and it smelled like Mom’s vanilla perfume. “I didn’t feel strong,” I admitted, staring at the stars. “I just felt angry.” “Sometimes, anger is what we need to get moving,” she said with a smile. “Your mother… she knew this might happen, you know. That’s why she made us promise to watch over you.” “She did?” “Oh yes. She said, ‘My Iris might bend, but she’ll never break.’ She knew exactly who you were, sweetheart.” I handed her a check the next day, a portion of the repaid money. She tried to refuse it, but I insisted. “You and Grandpa have done more for me than anyone else ever has. Please. Let me do this.” A woman holding a check | Source: Midjourney A woman holding a check | Source: Midjourney Advertisement She hugged me so tightly that I thought I might break. “We’re so proud of you. And your mom… oh, she would be over the moon.” With the rest of the money, I enrolled in grad school and got my own apartment. It wasn’t fancy, but it was mine. One night, as I unpacked some boxes, I came across an old photo of Mom and me. She was holding me in her lap, her smile soft and warm. “I did it, Mom,” I whispered, running my fingers over the photo. “I kept my promise. I didn’t let them dim my light.” A woman holding an old photograph | Source: Midjourney A woman holding an old photograph | Source: Midjourney My phone buzzed with a message from Dad. But I didn’t open it. Advertisement Instead, I texted Grandma: “I think I’m finally free.” Her reply was immediate: “You are, sweetheart. You are. Your mother is probably dancing in heaven right now.” I set the phone aside and smiled, my eyes misty. For the first time in years, I felt like I was finally living for me. Living how Mom had always wanted me to… bright and unafraid. An emotional young woman | Source: Midjourney An emotional young woman | Source: Midjourney Here’s another story: Just a month after my mother’s death, my father easily moved on and brought his mistress home for Christmas. My heart shattered when he introduced her as my “NEW MOM.” However, it wasn’t the only thing that left me crushed. This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author. The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher. 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We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. We believe that every person’s story is important as it provides our community with an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging, share their hopes and dreams. About US About us Main Guidelines Contact us Advertise with us Information Privacy Policy Notice at collection Cookie Policy Terms of use © 2025 Amopictures Limited My Late Mom Left Me a Trust Fund, but My Dad Took Money from It for His Stepdaughter