A Quiet Comeback in Calistoga
Tatum O’Neal made a graceful and emotional appearance at her son Kevin McEnroe’s wedding to Fern Cozine, held in June 2025 in Calistoga, California.
Despite facing major health battles in recent years, the 61-year-old actress walked with a cane and a smile, drawing admiration from fans around the world. On July 20, she shared intimate moments from the ceremony on Instagram—images that quickly sparked a wave of love and encouragement.
Emotional Moments Captured
The photos told a story of resilience and joy. In one, O’Neal stood between the newlyweds, holding Kevin’s hand and smiling warmly. Another captured her from behind, gently hugging her son while balancing on her cane. Fern clapped beside them, glowing with happiness.
In yet another image, O’Neal walked with her cane, steadying herself with one hand while reaching out with the other. She also appeared to give a speech, cane in hand, as Kevin and Fern laughed nearby.
One touching shot showed her walking with her other son, Sean McEnroe, while daughter Emily followed behind. In a moment of calm, Tatum leaned her head on Kevin’s shoulder as he rested his chin on hers. And in one joyful frame, Kevin helped his mother up from a chair—possibly inviting her to dance.
A Long and Painful Journey
That stroke followed an accidental overdose in her Century City apartment. She had been prescribed pain medication for her rheumatoid arthritis by a doctor unaware of her history with addiction. During the isolation of the COVID-19 lockdown, she fell into a dark mental state.
“I love my kids, but I’d already given so much,” she told Variety in February 2025. “Part of me just didn’t want to make it.”
Afterward, she fell into a coma for six weeks. Doctors warned her family she might never recover. But Kevin refused to give up hope.
“There’s something in her that perseveres—even through situations she caused herself,” he said.
A Remarkable Recovery
O’Neal proved the doctors wrong. Her recovery required multiple hospitals and time in a memory care center. Eventually, she moved to a retirement community in the Valley, where she could swim, bike, go to the gym, and socialize with friends. She even underwent neck surgery in January 2025.
For her Variety feature, she posed with her Oscar for Paper Moon. As her son Kevin admired her look, he told her, “You look like a movie star.” She smiled and replied, “I love you.”
A Wedding Full of Miracles
Kevin and Fern’s wedding brought that love full circle. In a separate Vogue Weddings feature on July 14, Kevin recalled the ceremony:
“I was marrying the woman of my dreams… My mother, father, and stepmother were all there—together and in harmony. That hadn’t happened in years. It felt like a miracle.”
Fern walked down the aisle to Take Care by Beach House. Kevin waited beneath a century-old walnut tree.
The couple, who got engaged in November 2023, shared their own photos online. Kevin posted his on July 14, showing family moments and a rare photo with his father, John McEnroe, and brother Sean. Fern posted hers on July 19 with the caption: “So many perfect little moments.”
Gratitude and Grace
A few weeks before the wedding, on July 4, O’Neal posted a simple but powerful message:
“Glad to be alive 😘.”
Her presence at the wedding wasn’t just about celebrating love. It was a symbol of survival, healing, and the quiet strength that’s carried her through one of the most challenging chapters of her life.
