Gemma Collins uncovers her grandmother's tragic past on Who Do You Think You Are?
- Joan, Gemma's mother, was placed in foster care shortly after her birth and had limited interactions with her own mother.
- The investigation uncovered that Gemma's grandmother was diagnosed with chronic schizophrenia and spent time in an asylum at a young age.
- The findings highlight the societal pressures faced by women in the past, particularly regarding mental health and family dynamics.
Gemma Collins appeared on the BBC show 'Who Do You Think You Are?' to explore her family history, particularly focusing on her maternal grandmother. Her mother, Joan, was placed in foster care shortly after birth and had limited contact with her mother throughout her life. Joan recounted meeting her mother three times, with the last encounter being a brief visit during her teenage years. The investigation revealed that Gemma's grandmother had spent time in a mental asylum at the age of 13, where she was diagnosed with chronic schizophrenia. Experts suggested that societal pressures of the time likely forced her to give up her child due to being an unmarried teenage mother. This historical context sheds light on the challenges faced by women in that era, particularly regarding mental health and family dynamics. Despite the tragic past, Gemma expressed a desire to share her findings with her mother, hoping to piece together their family history and understand the circumstances that shaped their lives.