Britney Spears’ Mental Health, Conservatorship Battle Explained
For the longest time, it appeared as if Britney Spears’ darkish days have been lastly behind her. After struggling a much-publicized breakdown in 2007 and 2008, the Princess of Pop got here out on high, taking residence one award after one other and touchdown a four-year Las Vegas residency that grossed practically $138 million.
In February 2019, Spears was set to return to the Las Vegas Strip for Piece of Me’s follow-up, Domination. Nevertheless, she introduced a month earlier than the scheduled kickoff date that she could be taking an indefinite work hiatus to take care of her ailing father, Jamie Spears, who underwent a life-threatening surgical procedure after his colon spontaneously ruptured the earlier fall.
Britney subsequently went darkish on social media, solely posting in mid-January 2019 to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of her debut album, …Child One Extra Time. She didn’t return till April 2019, when she posted on Instagram that she was taking “slightly ‘me time.’” Inside minutes, information broke that Britney had quietly checked right into a California psychological well being facility in late March for a 30-day keep. A supply advised Us Weekly completely that the Grammy winner determined to hunt assist after the stress of her dad’s hospitalization and the advanced course of of fixing the drugs she had been taking for an undisclosed psychological sickness.
The information rocked the Britney Military, which started speculating in regards to the pop star’s well-being and selecting up the #FreeBritney motion launched by the cohosts of a podcast devoted to Britney’s Instagram. Her sister, Jamie Lynn Spears, was fast to close down unfounded rumors surrounding the “Poisonous” singer, writing through Instagram, “I’ve been right here lengthy earlier than anybody else, and I’ll be right here lengthy after. I like my sister with all the pieces I’ve. So, anybody or something that speaks on the contrary can GTFOH with all of the feedback about what you don’t perceive. Don’t come for me or those I like anymore.” Britney herself spoke out later that day, assuring followers in a video message that “all is properly.”
The Crossroads actress has been unable to make main private or monetary selections in her life with out the approval of her father since a court-approved conservatorship was put in place in February 2008 after her meltdown and divorce from Kevin Federline, with whom she shares sons Preston and Jayden. In consequence, co-conservators Jamie and legal professional Andrew Wallett had lengthy been credited with saving Britney’s life. Wallett abruptly resigned in March 2019, leaving Jamie as the only conservator till he quickly stepped down that September following an alleged altercation with Preston. (Jamie was later cleared of wrongdoing.) Licensed fiduciary Jodi Montgomery later assumed Jamie’s place, although he nonetheless had partial management of Britney’s property.
Britney spoke out towards her conservatorship for the primary time in June 2021. “The principle motive why I’m right here is as a result of I need to finish the conservatorship with out being evaluated,” she mentioned throughout a courtroom listening to, including: “I simply need my life again. It’s been 13 years, and it’s sufficient.”
Two months after Britney laid all of it on the desk throughout her courtroom listening to, Jamie filed paperwork agreeing to step down because the conservator of his daughter’s property, asserting “he doesn’t imagine {that a} public battle together with his daughter over his persevering with service as her conservator could be in her greatest pursuits.”
Jamie was suspended as conservator of the property in September 2021 earlier than requesting two months later that the conservatorship finish “instantly.” He was changed quickly by John Zabel till the top of December 2021.
A choose dominated in November 2021 to formally finish the conservatorship after 13 years.
Scroll down to remain up-to-date on the conservatorship.
That is an ongoing article that was initially revealed in Might 2019 and final up to date on Thursday, April 7.
With reporting by Marjorie Hernandez
