Katherine Heigl Credits Mormonism for Her Upbringing and Childhood

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It must feel good to be Katherine Heigl these days. Apart from being tall, blonde, and beautiful, the former ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ star has made the rare accomplishment of crossing over to the big screen a la Jennifer Aniston.

Her series of chick flicks is evidence of that. And that’s apart from being a mother and wife to her singer husband, Josh Kelley.

Despite no longer practicing Mormonism, Katherine Heigl credits the faith with providing a structured and disciplined foundation that contributed to her respectful upbringing and a true childhood experienceDespite no longer practicing Mormonism, Katherine Heigl credits the faith with providing a structured and disciplined foundation that contributed to her respectful upbringing and a true childhood experience (Credit: Beiny / Slater / WENN)

Katherine is often seen out with her mother, Nancy, and they recently spent a day together shopping.

And while she tried really hard to run away from the paparazzi, we are very thankful that she wasn’t able to because we wouldn’t have caught a glimpse of the really cute ruffled number she was toting in her hand:

A Glimpse into Katherine’s Family and Heritage

Katherine Heigl is the daughter of Nancy, a personal manager, and Paul Heigl, a financial executive and accountant. Her father has a mixed heritage of half Irish, one-quarter German, and one-quarter Swiss-German, while her mother is of German descent.

After the death of her brother in 1986, her family became members of the Mormon (LDS) church. Katherine spent her early childhood in Northern Virginia and Denver, Colorado, before her family settled in New Canaan, Connecticut.

 

 
 
 
 
 
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The ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ episode “Winning a Battle, Losing the War,” which aired on April 10, 2005, and centered around organ donation, held personal significance for cast member Katherine Heigl.

The storyline mirrored her own life experience, as her older brother Jason tragically passed away in a car accident in 1986, and his organs were donated, a decision that embodied his love and generosity towards others.

“When we realized he was not going to survive, the family decided it was important to donate his organs,” Katherine’s mom, Nancy Heigl, told Star in an interview.

“Jason’s heart, kidneys and eyes were given – whatever could be used by someone in need. It was Jason’s last gift to a world he had the greatest affection for.”

Roots in Faith: How Mormonism Shaped Katherine’s Childhood

Although she no longer follows the faith, Katherine Heigl acknowledges that it gave her a solid foundation.

The Rosewell actress appreciates the structure and discipline it provided, contributing to a respectful and rule-abiding upbringing, allowing her to experience a genuine childhood.

“That structure and discipline was really good for me,” Heigl said about Mormonism in an interview with Good Housekeeping. “I had a childhood that was a childhood. I listened to my parents. I respected the rules.”

Carrying a brown paper bag from Il Piccolino restaurant, Katherine Heigl and her mother, Nancy, shopped in West Hollywood on May 20, 2011Carrying a brown paper bag from Il Piccolino restaurant, Katherine Heigl and her mother, Nancy, shopped in West Hollywood on May 20, 2011 (Credit: Beiny / Slater / WENN)

See the bag? Do you like it? It’s flirty, don’t you agree? Well, we researched and discovered that the piece is from BE & D, called the ‘Kan Kan’ ruffle bag in nude. It is, unfortunately, no longer available online.

BE & D Kan Kan portfolio shoulder bagBE & D Kan Kan portfolio shoulder bag