I was abused in my teens, says Marie Osmond

Seventies singer Marie Osmond today claimed she suffered sexual abuse while she was a worldwide pop star.

But the Osmonds member refused to reveal who had abused her as teenager and would only say it was not a family member or friend.

The revelation came on American television show Entertainment Tonight as she prepares to publish a book on her lifelong battle with depression.

"During my childhood and teen years, I was abused," she writes in the book, Behind the Smile, which is published in May.

"It ranged from invasions of privacy to having my personal property stolen, and, most damaging, to being abused sexually."

Osmond, 41, who with her brothers Wayne, Merrill, Jay and Jimmy were one of the 70s most popular groups, claimed she had been threatened by her abuser.

"I was terrified about my personal safety and that of my family," she wrote.

"Although instinctively I knew the abuse was wrong I pushed it down.

"But I always knew it was there in some part of me."

Her marriage to second husband Brian Blosil foundered as she battled with post-natal depression after the births of their children, but the two have now reconciled.

Osmond has a total of seven children, aged from one to 17, one by her first husband Steve Craig and four whom she adopted.

The book comes as part of her "healing process" for depression.

"I struggled with my self-esteem every day," she said. "I never felt I could be good enough. I was never pretty enough."

And she said she battled with low self-esteem throughout her life despite her international fame.

"Ages three, five, seven, nine, 13: feelings of being scared, overwhelmed, and demoralised" she wrote.

"Ages 14, 16, 19, 20: being scrutinised, criticised, and sexualised.

"Ages 24, 31, 35, 38: a failed marriage; being a single mom having to take care of my son, take care of my employees, bring home the paycheck."

Donny and Marie’s toothy smiles made them icons of the 70s as they performed hits including Love Me For a Reason and Long Haired Lover From Liverpool.

The brothers continue to tour and some of their children have come together as Osmond Second Generation.

Her last major public appearance was in January, when she introduced newly-inaugurated president George W. Bush at a ball in Washington to mark his swearing-in.

A devout Mormon, along with the rest of her family, she still lives in her native Utah and has diversified into designing porcelain dolls which she sells through her website and her own show on television shopping network QVC.