Steven Tyler's Ex-Fiancée Reveals How Their Abortion 'Nearly Destroyed' Them
The ex-fiancée of Aerosmith frontman and American Idol judge Steven Tyler will speak at the Life Legal Defense Foundation annual dinner to share her story about how the couple aborted their child in the 1970s; a decision that she says "nearly destroyed them."
Julia Holcomb said in preparation of the Nov. 17 dinner due to take place in Santa Clara, California: "I pray that all those who have had abortions or have participated in any way in an abortion procedure may find in my story, not judgment or condemnation, but a renewed hope in God's steadfast love, forgiveness and peace. Marriage and the family are the building blocks of all virtuous societies. I pray that our nation may find its way back to God's plan by respecting the life of unborn children and strengthening the sanctity of marriage."
The LLFD notes that Tyler himself has admitted his regret over the abortion decision in the book Walk this Way: The Autobiography of Aerosmith. Holomb began living with Tyler when she was only 16 while he was 27. Together they experienced hardships that led to Holomb having an abortion, which Tyler admits "really messed (him) up."
Get Our Latest News for FREE
"It was a big crisis. It's a major thing when you're growing something with a woman, but they convinced us that it would never work out and would ruin our lives. . . . You go to the doctor and they put the needle in her belly and they squeeze the stuff in and you watch. And it comes out dead. I was pretty devastated. In my mind, I'm going, Jesus, what have I done?" the singer writes in his autobiography.
Holcomb only recently came out publicly about her experience, after she converted to Catholicism and joined the "Silent No More" organization of women who have regretted their abortions. She uses her experience to help young women who have suffered sexual exploitation or faced "the tragedy of abortion."
In her testimony, which she published online, Holcomb shares with readers many aspects of her life with Tyler and the family drama that threatened to split them apart, as well as the devastating fire in 1975 that burned down their home and left Holcomb in a hospital suffering from damage to the lungs. All those issues were factors that contributed to the young couple opting for an abortion when she was five-months pregnant.
However, after they separated, Holomb notes that the Aerosmith frontman went on to say many negative things about her in his book, presenting her more as a sex object than a real human being.
"In spite of everything, I do not hate Steven Tyler, nor am I personally bitter," Holcomb insists in her testimony. "I pray for his sincere conversion of heart and hope he can find God's grace. I know that I am also responsible for what happened that day. Someone may say that my abortion was justified because of my age, the drugs, and the fire. I do not believe anything can justify taking my baby's life. The action is wrong. I pray that our nation will change its laws so that the lives of innocent unborn babies are protected."
The LLDF have welcomed Holcomb's testimony and said that her story can be seen as a positive model for change and redemption.
"The Life Legal Defense Foundation stands up for those who speak out to save innocent lives and prevent women from experiencing suffering as Julia Holcomb did following her abortion," said Dana Cody, Executive Director of the Life Legal Defense Foundation. "Julia's story is cruel and tragic, but she has turned her sorrow into a force for positive, life-saving change. LLDF is pleased to be able to provide an opportunity for her to encourage and motivate those who are fighting to prevent the kind of horror that she lived through."
