For the last few decades of Mary’s life, it appeared to me that she always looked glum or very sad. I later discovered that it probably had much to do with events of 1980. I. 1980, Mary’s only child, a young man in his 30s, did away with himself.
After that, Mary became more involved in Social Causes.
She had all the money she needed, and to some degree her health, but she needed to find ways to fill her time.
Mary lived on after that terrible loss.
Probably why she made such a dramatic impression in the film “Ordinary People”.
>> Mary’s only child, a young man in his 30s, did away with himself.
Such events are often beyond the parent(s)’ control, but just as often the parent(s) will forever yearn in despair for an outcome that could have been different.
A little bit about her alcoholism: https://www.bustle.com/p/mary-tyler-moores-honesty-about-her-struggles-with-alcoholism-prove-just-how-brave-she-was-33196