Jane Fonda reveals mother was molested before suicide at 42

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- Jane Fonda spoke at a brunch celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Rape Treatment Center when she revealed that her mother was a victim of sexual abuse.

Fonda said she was going through her mother's medical records while writing a memoir when she found out Frances Ford Seymour was sexually abused when she was eight years old. Seymour committed suicide at the age of 42 when Fonda was 12. Her 9 to 5 co-star Lily Tomlin introduced the veteran actress.

"The minute that I read that, everything fell into place," said Fonda. "I knew why the promiscuity, the endless plastic surgery, the guilt, the inability to love or be intimate, and I was able to forgive her and forgive myself."

Fonda affirmed her advocacy for the organization and its work to help victims of sexual abuse, reports Variety.

"I have a lot on my plate, but I'll support this to the end of my days," said Fonda.

Other big names at the brunch are Viola Davis, Sam Waterston and Eric McCormack.