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Angela Lansbury Moved to Another Country to Save Daughter From Infamous Cult Leader

Angela Lansbury Charles Manson
All Images Credit ABC

On October 12, Disney Legend Angela Lansbury passed away at the age of 96. In the hours and days since news of her death was shared, thousands of fans have been reminiscing — remembering some of her iconic roles like Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the BeastMs. Eglantine Price in Bedknobs and Broomsticks, and Jessica Fletcher in the hit show Murder, She Wrote. 

Angela Lansbury

Credit: Walt Disney Studios

However, there is another story that is coming to light and taking social media by storm. In 2014, Lansbury gave an interview in which she told the story of how she saved her daughter — Deirdre Shaw — from madman and cult leader Charles Manson. For those of you who may not remember, Manson was the leader of The Manson Family — a cult based in California — and, in the summer of 1969, he convinced some of his followers to murder nine people, including pregnant actress Sharon Tate.

Charles Manson

Credit: IMDB

According to Lansbury — who spoke to The Daily Mail — her daughter became involved with drugs at a young age and became fascinated by Manson. Per The Daily Mail:

“It started with cannabis but moved on to heroin. There were factions up in the hills above Malibu that were dedicated to deadly pursuits,” Lansbury said. “It pains me to say it but, at one stage, Deidre was in with a crowd led by Charles Manson. She was one of many youngsters who knew him – and they were fascinated. He was an extraordinary character, charismatic in many ways, no question about it.”

Angela Lansbury

Credit: Disney

When Lansbury saw the dangerous direction her daughter was headed in, she decided that it was time to move her family out of California and headed to Ireland.

“We upped sticks and moved the family to a house I found in County Cork,” Lansbury said. “I was drawn to Ireland because it was the birthplace of my mother, and it was also somewhere my children wouldn’t be exposed to any more bad influences. I still have a house there which I try and visit at least once a year. So I refused all work for a year and simply kept house.”

Bedknobs and Broomsticks

Credit: Disney

Lansbury’s daughter eventually turned her life around — she got married and moved back to Los Angeles, where they ran an Italian restaurant.

The Tony Award-winning actress passed away just 5 days before her 97th birthday.

About Krysten Swensen

A born and bred New England girl living the Disney life in Southern California. I love to read, to watch The Golden Girls, and love everything to do with Disney and Universal. I also love to share daily doses of Disney on my Disney Instagram @BrazzleDazzleDisney!