Laura Clery’s Insightful Memoir

Laura Clery, the well-known actress and comedian, shares her personal experiences in her memoir, “What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Hotter.” At 39, Clery provides readers with a candid look into her troubled relationship with her ex-husband, Stephen Hilton, including their difficult separation.

Dealing with Betrayal

In “Shanked,” Clery recounts a painful moment when she discovered Hilton’s infidelity through visits to questionable massage parlors. Despite having been intimate earlier that day, she struggled with feelings of inadequacy, yet mostly felt hurt and empathetic toward him. Clery writes, “It wouldn’t be my lack that drove Stephen to a stranger; it would be his.” She recognized their shared struggles with substance abuse contributed to their issues, prompting her to confront him with understanding rather than anger.

When Hilton returned home, their initial conversation offered hope of managing their issues collectively. However, a nighttime phone call shattered that hope as Hilton lashed out, blaming Clery for his problems and denying his wrongdoings. Clery discovered he was once again at a massage parlor, leading her to implore her past self to take firm action, including changing the locks and seeking support from loved ones.

Escalating Tensions

Clery describes a family trip to Malibu where tensions escalated, with Hilton threatening self-harm and blaming Clery in front of their children. This outburst led her to involve the police. Yet, Hilton portrayed himself publicly as stable, casting doubt on Clery’s experience. When Hilton shared the incident online, it marked a turning point for Clery. She realized their relationship required space, as she later discovered Hilton had relapsed into drug addiction.

Navigating Divorce

Recognizing the need for separation, Clery embarked on a challenging journey involving legal battles and financial strain, while rebuilding her life as a single mother. Allegations of Hilton breaking into her home and hacking her online presence added to her distress. She vividly recounts being left financially strained, managing not only her mortgage but Hilton’s, alongside extensive mediation costs.

Clery ultimately filed for divorce in June 2023, after announcing their separation in August 2022. Her financial challenges intensified when her water was shut off, prompting a realization about the importance of financial autonomy. She advises others to face financial realities directly, as ignoring them can lead to more significant issues.

Motherhood and Moving Forward

Despite false accusations of child abuse during the separation, Clery was awarded full custody, while Hilton received supervised visitation. Clery expresses cautious optimism about Hilton’s recovery, noting he achieved one hundred days of sobriety by mid-November. She hopes their children can eventually spend time with him without judicial oversight. Though her guard remains up, Clery finds herself gradually moving towards hope once again.

Stephen Hilton has openly discussed his ongoing battles with addiction and mental health in the wake of their separation.