Glenn Close Reveals How Her Unconventional Childhood With Religious Group Shaped Her Life And Career

Glenn Close is known for her iconic roles and captivating performances, but her personal life reveals a story as fascinating as her on-screen characters. The 77-year-old actress recently shared insights into her unconventional upbringing, relationships, and how she’s found contentment living life on her own terms.

In an interview on Today’s Sunday Sitdown, Glenn spoke about her childhood in a cult-like religious group, the Moral Re-Armament (MRA). Founded by Rev. Frank Buchman, the group emphasized moral transformation as a way to prevent war. Glenn, born in Connecticut, was moved to Switzerland as a child to live near the group’s headquarters.

“I’m still working it out,” she admitted. “From a very early age, I had an incredibly active imagination. I could take myself out of situations sometimes with my imagination, and not let it get into me as deep as it might have.”

Her imagination, Glenn said, became her lifeline and sparked her dream of becoming an actress. “II think that’s what literally kept me on course of doing what I wanted to do at a very early age, which was be an actress,” she shared.

By age 22, Glenn had left the group while studying acting in college. Reflecting on her parents’ decision to join the group, she shared her journey toward understanding their vulnerability. “”I’ve learned more and more about them and more about what their situation was and how vulnerable they were at certain times,” she told PEOPLE in 2018. “I think I really understand why they were so susceptible to a group like that, not knowing the devastation it would cause their children.”

The emotional impact of her upbringing, however, lingered for years. In the 2021 Apple TV+ docuseries The Me You Can’t See, Glenn revealed how her time in the group affected her ability to maintain lasting relationships. “Because of the devastation, emotional and psychological of the cult, I have not been successful in my relationships and finding a permanent partner and I am sorry about that. permanent partner. I think it’s our natural state to be connected like that, and I am sorry about it. I think it is our natural state to be connected like that. I don’t think you ever change your trigger points, but at least you can be aware of them and maybe avoid situations that might make you vulnerable, especially in relationships.”” she shared.

Despite these challenges, Glenn has found peace and joy in her independence. On The Drew Barrymore Show, she opened up about being single for more than nine years since her amicable split from ex-husband David Shaw. “I don’t know if I’ve been in a relationship since, but I’m very happy right now,” she said.

When asked about dating apps, Glenn laughed off the idea. “I’m too shy to do that,” she said. “I’m not searching. Because I’m actually — I’m not a hugely comfortably social person, so I don’t leap to go to a party at all. So yeah, I’m okay.”