Pattie Mallette is a scriptwriter and producer, but she is best recognized as the mother of global pop star Justin Bieber.
Despite her son’s immense fame, few people are aware of the hardships she has endured throughout her life.
Justin Bieber is one of the most successful artists in the world, seemingly living a dream life. However, even celebrities face personal struggles, often hidden from the public eye. His relationship with his mother, Pattie, has been complex, shaped largely by her difficult past.
Born on April 2, 1975, in Stratford, Ontario, Pattie comes from a French-Canadian background. Her early childhood was marked by tragedy when, at just two years old, she lost her five-year-old sister, Sally, in a car accident. This devastating event left a lasting impact on her family and shaped her formative years.
At 17, Pattie became a single mother, giving birth to Justin.
She was already accustomed to overcoming obstacles and, with limited resources, raised him in low-income housing in Canada with some support from her parents.
From a young age, Pattie had a passion for performing. By the time she was nine, she was appearing on local television programs such as Romper Room and Big Top Talent, a children’s talent show in her region.
At 15, she began a relationship with Jeremy Bieber, which lasted four years. However, her life was turbulent, and at 16, she ran away from home.
After a difficult period, she was hospitalized and later reconnected with Jeremy. Six months into their renewed relationship, she discovered she was pregnant. On March 1, 1994, she gave birth to Justin in London, Ontario. While Pattie and Jeremy initially tried to continue their relationship, they ultimately separated a few months after Justin’s birth.
Despite her struggles, Pattie was a dedicated mother, supporting Justin’s musical interests.
She encouraged him to enter the Stratford Star talent competition in 2007, where he placed second with his rendition of Ne-Yo’s “So Sick.” She uploaded the performance to YouTube, continuing to share videos of him, which gradually gained widespread attention and played a crucial role in launching his career.
In 2012, Pattie released her autobiography, Nowhere But Up, through the Christian publishing house Revell. The book details her challenging upbringing and how faith and love helped her find hope and become the best single parent she could be.
As Justin grew older, their relationship evolved. In a 2013 interview with People, Pattie reflected on the challenges of stepping back as a parent. “When your kids hit a certain age, your parenting style changes and it is hard letting go. His life was my life, and now I’ve had to let him be independent. It is hard to not be able to control everything that your adult child does.”
Justin’s rising fame came with struggles, and in 2014, he was arrested for street racing in the early hours of the morning. This incident created a rift between him and his mother. In a 2015 Billboard interview, he admitted, “I never wanted my mom to be disappointed in me, and I knew she was. We spent some time not talking, so it takes time to rebuild that trust… it’s hard, but getting better. She’s an amazing woman, and I love her.”
Today, that difficult period is behind them, and Pattie is incredibly proud of her son. In a heartfelt Instagram post, she expressed admiration for his character, integrity, and faith. “I’m so proud of the amazing young man you are and the young man you are becoming. None of us are perfect, but your genuine growing relationship with Jesus is evident in the choices you make daily and the good ‘fruit’ you bear. I admire your character and integrity.”
Through all the challenges, Pattie Mallette has remained a resilient and devoted mother, proving that love and perseverance can overcome even the toughest obstacles.
