Former tradwife Lauren Southern details abuse and isolation in new memoir

Former antifeminist influencer Lauren Southern has described the abusive and isolating realities she faced while living as a tradwife, in her self-published memoir This Is Not Real Life. The New York Times columnist Michelle Goldberg reviewed the book, framing it as an account of “conservative ideology colliding with reality.”

Southern rose to prominence as a right-wing activist, travelling internationally and engaging in high-profile controversies, including promoting claims of a “white genocide” in South Africa.

In her memoir, she alleges that during this period she was assaulted by manosphere figure Andrew Tate. She writes that her life began to unravel following the incident.

Seeking stability, Southern embraced the tradwife lifestyle, leaving her career to become a full-time wife and mother.

She moved from Canada to Australia, posting images online of her domestic life. However, she writes that the reality was marked by “near-total isolation” and increasing contempt from her husband.

According to Southern’s account, she responded to his criticism by “trying to be an even better wife,” engaging in extensive domestic work and presenting herself in high heels and dresses to welcome him home.

She alleges that her husband frequently berated her, stayed out overnight and threatened divorce if she disobeyed him.

When she travelled to Canada to visit family against his wishes, she writes that he ended the marriage. Southern says she had given much of her savings to her husband, leaving her to live with her parents and later in a small cabin with her son.

She describes this period as one of financial hardship and ideological conflict, telling journalist Mary Harrington, “My brain was breaking between two worlds.”

Goldberg concludes that while Southern’s account may serve as a cautionary tale, those most influenced by tradwife ideals may not heed such warnings until experiencing them directly.