MEAWW.COM / NEWS / CELEBRITY NEWS

Who is Aretha Wilson? Leonardo DiCaprio needed 17 stitches on his face after ex model slashed him with broken bottle

Leonardo DiCaprio was leaving a party when the woman allegedly came out of nowhere and attacked the movie star

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Leonardo DiCaprio has long been the object of affection for many women and is often seen accompanied by a group of stunning ladies at various events and parties. Currently, the 'Titanic' actor is romantically involved with Gigi Hadid and has introduced her to his parents on two occasions during dinner. While the intensity of female attention may have diminished slightly, there was a period when being a handsome superstar led him to spill quite a fair amount of blood.

Although celebrities enjoy numerous privileges, their lives are not devoid of challenges. Unfortunately, one such challenge is the presence of dangerous stalkers who pose a threat to their safety. In 2005, DiCaprio was leaving a party held by Paris Hilton's ex-boyfriend Rick Salomon when things went horribly awry. According to DiCaprio's publicist, a woman named Aretha Wilson came out of nowhere and attacked the movie star.

Leonardo DiCaprio was attacked using a broken bottle

"The actor was in Los Angeles during a short break from filming 'The Departed'. While leaving a small private gathering, Leo was attacked by a woman who was trespassing and had repeatedly been asked to leave the property," reported the Guardian at the time. Wilson physically assaulted DiCaprio using a broken glass bottle, causing a severe laceration to the actor's face. The injuries required approximately 17 stitches, also resulting in a bloodshot eye. According to the police, Wilson stated that she mistook DiCaprio for an ex-boyfriend.

Wilson, known to have a prior record of violent behavior, evaded authorities and left the country after the incident. She remained a fugitive for five years until she was finally captured in Canada in 2010. She pleaded not guilty to the charge of assault with a deadly weapon during the court proceedings. If she had proceeded to a full trial and been found guilty, she could have faced up to seven years of imprisonment. However, a resolution was reached through negotiation. Wilson decided to change her plea to guilty, and as a result, she was sentenced to a reduced term of two years in prison. She had also previously been ordered not to contact or come within 500 yards of DiCaprio.

Who is Aretha Wilson?

Aretha Wilson is a former model who had experienced a severe car crash in 1993 when she was 23 years old. The accident resulted in significant facial scars and had a lasting impact on her mental well-being. A report from Dr. Peter Nelligan, a plastic and reconstruction surgeon, mentioned 11 facial scars, some of which were not surgically treatable. 

The accident took place near the Don Valley Parkway and Bloor-Danforth interchange when a taxi driver allegedly cut her off and subjected her to verbal abuse. Wilson claimed that the taxi driver intentionally caused her car to collide with oncoming traffic, resulting in the accident. Wilson's then 18-month-old son, Skyler, was also in the vehicle during the crash. At the time, Wilson was a single mother who worked as a receptionist at a Toronto securities company. Following the accident, Wilson filed a lawsuit seeking damages for her personal injuries. The case was brought to court in 1998 for consideration and resolution. 

Aretha Wilson suffers from a long list of mental issues

According to a report by Toronto psychologist Dr. Richard Allon, in September 1996, Wilson displayed clear signs of psychological difficulties, including insomnia, anxiety, and distressing thoughts related to devil worship, monsters, fears of harm, and concerns about losing her sanity. The report, based on 36 one-hour sessions with Wilson, concluded that her described behavior aligned with the diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These details were mentioned in court documents filed by her lawyer during a personal injury lawsuit, as per The Toronto Star. 

Where is Aretha Wilson now?

After Wilson's plea agreement for a two-year sentence, it was noted that she had already served one year, which led to expectations of her release one year later. However, it was anticipated that she would still face consequences upon her release.

As a Canadian citizen, there were speculations that Wilson was deported as a result of her crime. Nevertheless, statements provided to the press conveyed satisfaction with the outcome from those involved. Wilson's lawyer, Freddy Sayegh, expressed contentment with the resolution, and a prosecutor revealed that DiCaprio was pleased that a settlement could be reached without proceeding to a full trial.