Atz Kilcher’s daughter Jewel Claims Her Mother Lenedra Carroll ‘Embezzled’ More Than $100 Million From Her: ‘Very Difficult Psychological Thing’ to Deal With

Singer-songwriter Jewel is shedding light on her tumultuous relationship with her mother, Lenedra Carroll, alleging that she pilfered millions of dollars from her.

During an episode of the “Verywell Mind” podcast on Monday, March 20, the 48-year-old artist, whose full name is Jewel Kilcher, revealed, “I didn’t truly grasp who my mom was until I was in my 30s. It hit me that she embezzled all of my money, over $100 million.”

Jewel continued to share her journey of realization, stating, “As I delved into the truth behind what my mom had conveyed to me about my life versus reality, I discovered that nearly everything I built my reality upon was fabricated.”

Reflecting on the gravity of her situation, she disclosed, “[At] 34 years old, I came to terms with being $3 million in debt, understanding my mother’s deceit, and recognizing that the image I held of her was a stark contrast to reality. It was an immensely challenging psychological ordeal to confront.”

The intricate dynamics of Jewel’s relationship with her mother trace back to her childhood experiences, notably witnessing her parents’ divorce.

Recalling those early days to podcast host Amy Morin, Jewel shared, “It’s a multifaceted issue. My perception of my mom was once that of a heroic figure. When my parents divorced when I was 8, we went to live with my dad.” She continued, “No one explained to me that it was because my mom chose not to be a mother. She left us, and so my dad took on the role of raising us. I wasn’t aware of this at the time. Despite the distance, I would hitchhike 500 miles to visit her. I’d arrive at her doorstep. She was the antithesis of my dad. While my dad was a volatile alcoholic who would hit me, making him an easy ‘bad guy’ to identify, my mom appeared to be the complete opposite. She was serene, gentle, never raised her voice, and obviously never laid a hand on me.”

Singer Jewel with her mother Lenedra Carroll arriving at the ‘Helping Hands II: Handmade in America’ celebrity art auction to benefit Sept. 11 Relief Funds at the New Folk Art Museum in New York City. 12/12/2001. Photo: Evan Agostini/ImageDirect

She elaborated, “At the time, I didn’t recognize that I was experiencing a different form of abuse. If you had asked me when I was 9, or perhaps even in my 30s, I would have described her as a supportive presence in my life. However, looking back, the reality was quite different. For instance, when I would arrive at her doorstep, she would often say, ‘Your mind holds incredible power. We only tap into a fraction of our brain’s potential. I believe you, Jewel, possess such immense power that you could sit here and focus on this light bulb, and perhaps, with your mind alone, make it turn off.’ Although this may seem like a loving gesture, it was, in fact, deeply manipulative and damaging.”

Jewel continued, “What was really happening was that my mother didn’t want to engage with me or spend time together, so she kept me occupied by entertaining these fantastical notions. So, sometimes, the portrayal of an affectionate caregiver isn’t always as it appears.”

Jewel took a significant step towards independence during her teenage years by leaving her family home to escape her father, Atz Kilcher, amid allegations of physical abuse. In a September 2016 interview with Forbes, the “Down So Long” artist, who shares a son named Kase, 11, with her ex-husband Ty Murray, reflected on her decision, stating, “At the age of 15, I made the conscious choice to leave home. I understood that statistically, individuals like myself often find themselves trapped in cycles reminiscent of the ones we were raised in.”

She continued, “According to statistics, I should have succumbed to substance abuse, found myself in abusive relationships, or pursued a career in adult entertainment. However, I refused to become a statistic. I contemplated the concept of nature versus nurture and pondered, ‘If I received inadequate nurturing as a child, could I, through self-nurturing, discover my true essence?’ At that moment, my life’s mission became learning how to transcend being a fractured individual to becoming whole.”

Jewel, who faced a period of homelessness following her departure from home, did not specify when Carroll allegedly misappropriated her funds. The author of “Never Broken” has not received a public response from her mother regarding these accusations. Nevertheless, Jewel has been open about her journey towards healing and moving forward.

Reflecting on her past experiences, the “My Father’s Daughter” singer shared on Monday, “The extent of trauma in my life, coupled with neglect and leaving home at 15, exposed me to numerous adult situations. My life was filled with fear and uncertainty.” She continued, “I grew up in an environment where adults weren’t trustworthy, and forming connections with people felt unsafe. Seeking safety, I learned to distance myself. I had much to overcome. However, I was determined to approach my healing process with curiosity and a scientific mindset, trusting the signals my body sent me. I believed that finding exercises to alter my physical sensations would serve as a reliable gauge of progress.”