Justin Bieber has long been one of pop music’s defining voices with eight No. 1 singles, over 150 million records sold, and 22 Grammy nominations (two of them wins). From his early days as a YouTube sensation to a full-blown global icon, Bieber’s journey has been as public as it is unpredictable. At 31, he continues to evolve, both artistically and personally.
A big part of that evolution involves the complicated, often tender relationship he shares with his mother, Pattie Mallette. In 2014, following his DUI, Justin admitted in an interview with Billboard that their bond was “nonexistent” for a time, citing shame and distance. Over the years, they’ve slowly rebuilt trust and affection. But in September 2025, Pattie made headlines again when she posted a heartfelt prayer on Instagram asking God to “heal every wound” in her son’s heart and life. Two weeks later, Justin responded with a sarcastic comment about a “rolled pinky toe” from playing ping pong.
Their mother-son dynamic has never been simple, full of highs, tensions, faith, and reconciliation. Below, here’s a look at Pattie through Justin’s eyes, and how their relationship has morphed over time.
Pattie struggled with drugs as a teen and contemplated suicide
Justin’s mom was born in Ontario on April 2, 1975. Pattie’s father left the home when she was only three and her life was a roller coaster of hardships afterwards. “When I became a teen I started experimenting with drugs, alcohol [and crime] to numb the pain…I was pretty much high or drunk from the time I woke up, to the time I went to bed,” she said on the Canadian Christian talk show, 100 Huntley Street, in 2008. “I left home when I was 15. I lived a life of sin, drugs, alcohol and stealing.”
The downward spiral came to a horrifying end. “I tried to kill myself by standing in front of a truck,” Pattie added. “I wound up in the mental ward for trying to commit suicide.”
She gave birth to Justin when she was 18
Pattie was a single teen when she welcomed her superstar child into the world on March 1, 1994. Although Pattie was living a clean life off drugs and alcohol, she still had a difficult time financially. “As a single mother [I sometimes said], ‘I have no idea how I’m going to feed Justin,’” she explained on the 100 Huntley Street, talk show.
Pattie had plans to be on The Bachelorette
At one point, Pattie had ambitions to be the next single lady to hand out roses on the ABC hit reality dating program The Bachelorette. While watching the show’s finale almost a decade ago, Pattie got all romantic and teary eyed watching Sean Lowe propose, and it got her thinking! “Who will be the next Bachelorette? Me perhaps?? Hmmmmm…” tweeted Pattie.
She revealed a painful childhood secret in her memoir
In her 2012 memoir Nowhere But Up, Pattie revealed she had been sexually molested as a child and teenager by multiple people. Some of the abusers were known to be family friends or relatives. Pattie described the constant abuse as something so frequent that “it began to feel normal.” It wasn’t just men who abused her, as she also recounts a “girl from school” who was “trying to teach [her] about pleasure.”
Pattie had a tight bond with Selena Gomez
Justin’s mom definitely approved of his on-again, off-again girlfriend Selena Gomez. “Pattie and Selena have always been tight. Pattie adores her and sees her as her own daughter. She’s always been there for Selena through her roller coaster relationship with Justin,” an insider told HollywoodLife.com EXCLUSIVELY back when the pair were an item. They insider added, “She approves of Selena and has been advising her to stay true to herself. Pattie and Selena pray together and this has really bonded them together over the years.”
These days, Pattie has shown the same love and support for Justin’s wife, Hailey Bieber (née Baldwin). She frequently praises her daughter-in-law online, publicly celebrating her birthday with a heartfelt message that read, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY @haileybaldwin!! I LOVE YOU!! I’m SO #THANKFUL to have you as a daughter!!!”
If you or anyone you know has been sexually abused, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). A trained staff member will provide confidential, judgment-free support as well as local resources to assist in healing, recovering and more.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or considering suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
