Taylor Armstrong 'Didn't Feel Safe' To Publish Book Until Husband's Suicide

"Real Housewife" Taylor Armstrong came forward about a physically and emotionally abusive relationship at the hands of late husband Russell Armstrong -- unveiling shocking photographs of a black eye injury and stating that her gig on Bravo's "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" may have inadvertently saved her life. Now, three months after Russell committed suicide by hanging himself, she's publishing a book about it that she says could have been only made possible with his death.

In a statement to ABCNews.com Thursday, Armstrong says:

"I wish I could have been able to tell my story before now... But, until my husband Russell's suicide, I didn't feel safe to bring my story into the light, to help all battered and abused women, and men, and aid them in their struggle.

"I discussed my book Monday night for the first time on Bravo's Watch What Happens Live. The overwhelming response from viewers and their outpourings of support has been gratifying. From the bottom of my heart, I believe if my book can help others find the courage to deal with the pain and fear of their abusive relationships, I will have made a real difference in their lives."

Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) for the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

Comments

[Marian Lyall]

02:22 AM on 01/25/2012

There is a saying and that is not to speak ill of the dead. Russell is not around to defend himself so she can say and write anything she wants... It's all unsubstantiated. As Camille said on the show, Taylor says all this stuff but to date has never shown proof... Ie: no black eyes etc or other physical abuse ... miraculously she never bore any
marks. Taylor is an opportunist and I wish she wasn't on the show. She's a nasty nasty person, and I honestly think she's making it up to focus attention on herself.

[Melissa Winters]

02:13 PM on 12/21/2011

I'm not a fan and don't even know who she is, as I don't watch TV because I don't like the drama, but abuse is abuse and it's never acceptable. I do believe though that the stage can get set for abuse if you are with someone that you don't really like as a person. For example, I discovered that my ex was looking at tranvestites on the computer as well as searching for pre-teens online. Have to admit that made the relationship very rocky and so that set the stage for abuse. You have to like and love who you are with, and in order to do that, you have to stay close to God. Glad to hear she is doing better.

[iluvfurbabies]

12:30 PM on 12/11/2011

I can't believe some of you actually Taylor is to blame .....I could tell Russel was, at the very least, an emotional abusor during season 1. Domestic abuse is very complicated and nothing to joke about..and Russel deserves no sympathy. All abusers deserve the same fate as good 'ol Russ.

[dodarla]

02:33 PM on 12/12/2011

Suicide is also very complicated and nothing to wish on anyone, even an alleged abuser.

[robbor]

12:16 PM on 12/11/2011

what about the shocking images above showing bad lip enhancement?

[dreamweaver5783]

12:34 PM on 12/11/2011

Do you mean camel lips?

[notaniceguy]

11:54 AM on 12/11/2011

I take things at face value and the face is disgusting

[Irishtimesguy]

11:41 AM on 12/11/2011

So if she was afraid to publish until he died, maybe it wasn't suicide so someone could get rich off a book. Just sayin'.

[dreamweaver5783]

12:36 PM on 12/11/2011

I've always had my doubts about suicide????...........and just by coincidence Taylor found him..right............does anyone really believe this woman?

[Rell Galyn]

11:26 AM on 12/11/2011

I would find Taylors story more plausible but for the many inconsistencies revealed by the camera. Remember Taylor told Kyle in a limo ride that she and her husband were never deeply or passionately in love. He was married with young children when they met. Why break up his marriage then have him break your jaw if you were never in love? How is it that none of your friends recall your jaw ever being broken? We watched her start that horrible first fight between Kim and her sister Kyle and literally sit back and smirk w satisfaction when the sisters fight went beyond ugly. Since then she continuously played victim but when she is comforted she comes out clawing and scraping. I don't doubt she's been through something... And all spousal abusers are guilty of disgusting behavior when they act that way. But I do feel for Russel and all of his children--not just the daughter he had with this woman.

I would only read her book to learn how to destroy a marriage, kill the man, take his money -while on tv- so I can get away with it. Perhaps that will be the title of the nexspreading spin off starring Taylor.
Shame on you "Bravo" (oh the irony!)

[Rell Galyn]

11:25 AM on 12/11/2011

Really what with our entire country in such a state(i.e., corporations are openly paying less for longer hours and nonexistent health benefits, banks unscrupulously taking our bailout dollars and homes and blaming us for it..) it's amazing that we find time and interest to weigh in on these matters; and yet not hold our congress persons accountable to address the matters that can re-chart the present course of our country in a way that will benefit our children.

I'm not judging because here I am along with the rest.p. This woman's story distresses. I think it is perfectly reasonable to end up in a marriage or relationship that goes horribly wrong and then struggle emotionally before getting out if it.

It's not unreasonable unless you have no emotional attachment to the situation at all, to HOPE that an abusive spouse return to his or her proper mind. Not in the beginning. And thereafter one could simply be caught in a diseased cycle of abuse and make up. Its not right but just not completely unreasonable. These people, and they are many, need support not more self righteous abuse and condemnation. With a bit of bad luck and a stupid decision or two-- very few among us could stand. If you are too strong to allow your face to be pummeled then I'm sure you've been too weak in some other area. Like not fighting hard enough for universal healthcare or that raise you deserve.

[Kenneth Alton]

12:18 PM on 12/11/2011

Any story of abuse and domestic violence, whatever the context, is disturbing and worthy of note (if only to put an end to it). That said:

I have a friend on Wall Street with a "secret vice" - he reads the absolute trashiest tabloids. Every week his wife picks up rags like "The Globe" et al. for him to read over the weekend. I once asked them, "Why?". He said that his work is so stressful, after skimming the rags for an hour, reading about how this Hollywood star is really a space alien and that town was swallowed by demons and how a yeti was seen taking a taxi, the human world seemed a lot sillier and far far less stressful. After all, the stress of the collapsing euro seems trivial in the face of fear that the Antichrist is being born in Iowa (yet again, in less than a year no less!). LOL.

Perhaps the secret to shows like "Real Housewives" is that watching their oddball foibles is a way for people to decompress from the stress and anxiety that is the state of the world and modern life? Laughter is the best medicine, and I suspect many are not laughing with these women, they are laughing at them (and as long as the women involved are laughing on their way to the bank, it's all good).

[coachnelly]

10:07 PM on 12/13/2011

I do laugh at these women and I thank God after every episode that I don't have women like that in my life. No. Drama. :) Maybe that's why I watch?! To get the drama-fix?!

[FLmarebob]

11:24 AM on 12/11/2011

So she was afraid to publish while he was alive. What makes it any easier since his suicide? $$$
She needs to think how this will affect her children.

[dreamweaver5783]

12:40 PM on 12/11/2011

She doesn't care, not for one minute.

[Karen StovallStringer]

12:55 PM on 12/11/2011

I read somewhere on here that she only has one child, a daughter, with Russel. Russel had two or three with a previous wife. I'm sure Taylor is not worried about them. Probably not worried about her own daughter either.

[BabyMed]

11:23 AM on 12/11/2011

I have never seen this or any reality TV show...But I have read enough and seen enough interviews to know.
1. This woman is ugly from the inside out
2. She is an opportunist and would sell her child to make a buck.
3. His family should sue her for slander and custody of her child.

Personally I believe her so called bruises were from plasic surgeries and she used the abuse card to hide the fact she was having the proceedures and she planned the divorce. It is one thing that holds custody leverage in this state.
Makes no sense that he would do this to her when he has been in other relationships (marriage)and this was never an issue.

[JuanJeremy]

10:30 AM on 12/11/2011

i got news for her, shes OLD!!! someday soon nobody is going to want to see her on anything

[dreamweaver5783]

12:42 PM on 12/11/2011

The time has come...

[JuanJeremy]

10:28 AM on 12/11/2011

yeah sure he was abusive which is why she felt so free to fool around with other guys while he was alive

[Julius Lumsden]

10:24 AM on 12/11/2011

Boy, people on here are quick to judge him this site! and they do so without fact!?.No one has the right to judge unless the dead guy can defend himself.He still has children..who have ears and are alive.None of us have proof of anything she claims, neither does she.His ex Wife said this woman was lying, that he has no history of abuse.Did it occur to anyone that suicide is a major issue ?, that those who seek this option are desperate people who feel they have no options??? That feeling 'alone' even though he was married to her did not prevent him doing this?..and this is a loving wife? and she is the only 'victim", based on the fact that she is a woman and man cannot therefore also be a victim?.A wife who allows cameras to continue filming her 'grief' ?, who promotes her book ?...this is an example respect for the death of her child's father????.....um reality check???.She comes across as one who loves the role of victim.There is power to be gained in playing that role in life.It allows one to manipulate the sympathy of others to attain what one wants, without doing it for oneself..spineless.That is common and pathetic to watch a person do.I hope she moves on and that these two sad people find peace.Her husband clearly already has.

[dna101]

10:23 AM on 12/11/2011

I can hear the cash register..... Pathetic.
Last I saw her, she was on Dr. Phil crying. She loved her husband, 2 seconds later the tears were gone....
Gold digger, no class and hopefully many people will see the true color of her.
An advice for you Taylor, you should sue your cosmetic surgeon and his overload of Botox.

[ctrlfr3q]

11:07 AM on 12/11/2011

dont mistake her insect-like apathy for bad botox.

[katieb49]

10:12 AM on 12/11/2011

I cannot stand to see the stupid fish lipped painted on smiles of these reality housewives. Do they all use the same plastic surgeon? Stop it already! Your mouth is as wide as your shoulders for pete's sake!