Brooke Shields' Mother, Teri, Dies Of Dementia At 79

Brooke Shields announced her mother suffered from dementia in 2009. Teri Shields died on Oct. 31 at 79.

Brooke is the only daughter of Teri and Francis Alexander Shields. A few months after Brooke was born, the couple filed for divorce and since then Teri looked after Brooke as a single mother. Teri promoted her 11 year-old-then daughter and allowed her to act in her first movie "Pretty Baby" as a prostitute in 1978.

Teri looked after Brooke until she became a successful model-actress and managed her career and life. Brooke gives all the credit to her mother for what she is today.

"My mother was an enormous part of my life and of who I am today," Brooke said in a statement. "I loved her, laughed with her, and respected her. And although she had her share of struggles, she was my mom."

Teri recalled her daughter's beauty when she was born.

"When she was born Brooke looked like a beautiful doll," she said. "I couldn't believe she was mine."

Brooke was criticized and Teri faced many controversies during the movie "Pretty Girl," for having Brooke let play the role of prostitute when she was 11 years old.

"It's only a role," she said. "I'm not going to grow up and be a prostitute."

According to People, Brooke and Teri had some rough patches too.

"Occasionally the intimacy between mother and daughter turns into anger." People reported. " 'Oh, Mommy, you're so dumb!' Brooke complains. Teri, offended, snaps back, 'I don't have to take that crap!' and storms out of the room."

In 1994 interview with the New York Times, Brooke revelead the struggles between mother and daugther.

"I grew up in an alcoholic household."

While Teri quoted in the same article that she no longer wanted to discuss Brooke's professional plans. "Talk to Brookie," she said, "Brookie doesn't know what she's talking about."

In 1995, Brooke took control over her professional life describing it "the hardest thing."

"I had hopes and dreams, and I wasn't doing anything to go toward them," she said. "The focus was on creating a persona rather than a talent."

Besides everything Teri was proud of Brooke for standing on her feet and taking decisions on her own about her life and career. Teri said in an interview with "Extra" about her willingness to be Brooke's friend.

"I felt that she had to be on her own," she said. "It kills me once in a while. I would like to get over it. I would love for Brooke to be my best friend, but you can't because I am her mother and she is my daughter."