As a child, Ina Garten was physically afraid of her father and feared he would harm her.

Ina Garten is a fierce individual both in and out of the kitchen, revealing the scars she earned as a child through her experiences.

"Garten stated in an interview with People magazine that she believes she overcame her childhood through sheer determination. According to her, she had two distinct lives: one at home and one at school."

She portrayed her childhood as a "contrast" between positive and negative experiences.

Garten was raised by her parents, Florence and Charles Rosenberg, the latter a surgeon in Stamford, Connecticut. Garten stated that she was scared, fearing that if she ever did something her father didn't approve of, he would pull her hair or kick her.

She recounted how she believed he would murder her if she disobeyed, causing her to feel physically terrified of him.

Being raised in the '50s, my father was challenging towards my brother and me. It was a different era, not the time of 'helicopter parents' or nurturing children's emotions.

"My father would often say, "Being a parent isn't about being popular," to justify his expectations for us. He believed that we should follow his instructions without question, even if it meant disregarding the child's desires. This approach made it challenging for me, as I value my autonomy and enjoy making my own choices."

"My father used to say, ‘Being a parent isn’t a popularity contest,' which was to justify that what he wanted us to do, we should do. With no questions." — Ina Garten

Garten admits to seeking refuge in her bedroom to avoid danger.

"Even when there's no immediate threat of violence, you're always afraid. As a result, you spent most of your childhood in your room with the door closed for protection, which made your childhood very lonely."

Garten said she didn't have support from her mother either.

""Looking back at my mom, I believe she did the best she could, given her lack of knowledge about relationships. As I've grown older, I realize the importance of having relationships. My mom didn't want me to cook because she wanted me out of her space. She wanted me away from her, so my room became a safe haven," she shared with People."

Garten, despite being a respected chef, admitted that she was not permitted to cook as a child.

She persevered, meeting her husband, Jeffrey Garten, at the age of 15 and establishing her Barefoot Contessa brand in 1978 after purchasing a food store with that name. In 2002, she secured a Food Network show with the same name and is renowned for her recipes.

People often decide to live differently but end up returning to what they're comfortable with. However, I made a conscious effort not to do that. Then, I met Jeffrey, who showed me a completely new way of living.

Garten has been open about reconciling with her father. In June, she posted a picture of her wedding day on Instagram.

"Although my dad and I had a complicated relationship when I was young, we were able to change that once I got married. I'm grateful for the positive and happy times we spent together, and looking back, he had a huge influence on my life. We're very much alike - he loved parties, work, friends, and style. Happy Father's Day, it's a great day to celebrate fathers' present and past."

Garten revealed to People that she reconciled with her father because he apologized in his own way, but her mother did not acknowledge it.

"Be Ready When the Luck Begins" by her will be released on Oct. 1.