How I saved my mother from committing suicide - The Rock

By Mirror | 6yrs ago | 3 min read

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson has opened up on secret battle with depression that he's been harbouring for 30 years.

Despite being Hollywood's highest paid actor and a global superstar after a successful wrestling career, Johnson had a tough upbringing.

The 6ft 5in muscleman even saw his mum tried to commit suicide after they were evicted from their apartment - and it left a mark on the youngster.

Johnson told the Express: “She got out of the car on Interstate 65 in Nashville and walked into oncoming traffic. Big rigs and cars were swerving out of the way.

“Struggle and pain is real. I was devastated and depressed.

“I reached a point where I didn’t want to do a thing or go anywhere. I was crying constantly.”

Despite being just 15, Johnson told how he saved from the road by pulling her back - but his battles didn't stop there.

Years after his dream of becoming a professional American Football player were shattered by a succession of injuries. His girlfriend then broke up with him, a period which Johnson calls his "absolute worst time'.

But he battled back.

After carving a successful career as a WWE wrestling he moved on to acting with such films as Fast and Furious, the new Jumanji film and his latest offering, Rampage.

But he never forgot his battles. When a fan recently told him he was suffering depression, Johnson answered: “I hear you. I’ve battled that beast more than once.”

Last year the wrestling icon's daughter revealed she hopes to follow in her dad's footsteps by becoming a WWE superstar.

Simone Johnson could be the company's first fourth-generation talent if she emulates the 10-time world champion.

The 16-year-old was interviewed by The Hollywood Reporter about being named the Globes Ambassador for this January's Golden Globes Awards.

On the subject of pro wrestling, the grappler turned Hollywood megastar's eldest child said: "It's a sport that is unlike anything else in the world.

"There's just a certain amount of passion that every move and match requires, and that's so admirable. It's definitely something I've thought about and want to pursue."

Should she take that path, Simone would likely become the first fourth-generation talent in the history of the American sports entertainment juggernaut, unless you count Shane and Stephanie McMahon - the great-grandchildren of Roderick James "Jess" McMahon Sr.

Dwayne Johnson and mother Ata Johnson at another premiere (Image: Getty Images North America)

The teenager would follow her great-grandfather Peter Maivia, her grandfather Rocky Johnson and obviously, her father, The Great One himself.

She said she regularly attends major WWE events, often with her grandmother, Ata Johnson, and has a deep-rooted passion for the business.

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and his daughter Simone Johnson (Image: Rex Features)

Simone noted in the interview that she intends to pursue a business degree in college and then embark upon a career in sports entertainment.

The Rock, 45, from Hayward, California, was last seen in WWE defeating Erick Rowan in a record-breaking six seconds at WrestleMania 32.

Earlier this month he responded to Roman Reigns calling him out for a Wrestlemania showdown ... with a metaphorical 'just bring it'.

The People's Champion was asked about his dream WWE opponents at Stan Lee's L.A. Comic Con and had a blunt answer.

The Rock could soon break a very unexpected world record

The Rock said: "One would be Triple H, The Game. The other would be The Beast, Brock Lesnar.

"The other one would be a guy that actually just needs my foot in his ass, Roman Reigns. Yeah.”

Reigns had talked about the possibility of facing his first cousin in an undoubted "money match" in an interview with the Mirror.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest-ever WWE talents, The Rock was named the world's highest-paid actor and one of the planet's 100 most influential people in 2016.