Sharon Stone discusses past poverty on IMO podcast

Actress Sharon Stone shared emotional details regarding her early years as a model in New York during an appearance on the IMO podcast with Michelle Obama and her brother, Craig Robinson. Stone recounted moving from Pennsylvania to New York at age 19 with only $50 and a suitcase.

To survive extreme poverty, Stone described using roller skates to travel around the city instead of paying for the subway or taxis, and collecting coins from public telephone booths. She tearfully admitted that she and her roommate would sometimes steal food to survive, noting that she would distract cashiers while her roommate took items.

Stone expressed that the guilt from that period continues to influence her life today, driving her commitment to philanthropy. She stated, “I want to give much more than I took,” explaining that she feels a sense of responsibility for her past actions.