Connie Chung, the well-known journalist, revealed in her new memoir, published in September 2019, that she was sexually assaulted by her family doctor when she was in college. The doctor, who had delivered Chung at birth, performed a gynecological exam on her without her understanding or consent. Chung described how she had her first orgasm during the assault and how the incident toughened her up and prepared her to handle similar situations in the future. After going public with her story in 2018, Chung received a call from her sister who had also been assaulted by the same doctor.
In an exclusive interview with Us Weekly, Chung discussed the cathartic experience of writing her memoir and how the process allowed her to expunge unwanted memories and emotions. She revealed that the word catharsis originally referred to expunging the body of waste, likening the writing process to a purging of unwanted emotions. Chung credited her husband, Maury Povich, for inspiring her to write the memoir and recommended a book by Katharine Graham as a source of guidance. She emphasized that she did not want her memoir to come across as self-pitying, drawing inspiration from Graham’s resilience in the face of challenges in the news business.
Chung recalled seeking advice from her husband, a voracious reader, on how to approach writing her memoir. Povich suggested reading Personal History by Katharine Graham, which chronicled the life of the Washington Post publisher. Chung admired Graham’s strength and determination in the face of adversity and aimed to emulate her approach in her own memoir. She emphasized the importance of not portraying oneself as a victim and expressed a desire to present her story in a resilient and empowering manner. Chung highlighted the need to remain strong and composed in the news industry and to focus on delivering stories with integrity and grace.
The journalist reflected on the process of writing her memoir as a means of healing and moving forward from her past trauma. Chung acknowledged the difficulty of revisiting painful memories but recognized the importance of confronting and processing them in order to achieve closure. She emphasized that she wanted to be honest and transparent in sharing her experiences, with the hope of inspiring others to speak out about their own experiences of assault. Chung’s memoir, Connie: A Memoir, was released to the public as a testament to her resilience and strength in the face of adversity. She encouraged readers to confront their own challenges and seek support if they have experienced sexual assault.
