Family Secrets That Are So Bizarre It Will Make Your Head Spin

You know when you have a secret, but it's so bizarre that you can't bring yourself to talk about it to anyone? Not even your family! We all, at some point in our lives, have experienced things that make us keep certain events a secret.

But can you keep the secret forever? As the famous saying goes, "Two can keep a secret if one of them is dead." Well, just don't do something as extreme as that, but sometimes it's helpful to have at least one person you can confide in.

These families, however, discovered that their families had these bizarre secrets, and let me tell you, some of them will make your jaw drop!

1. Living the secret life

"After my uncle died, we discovered that he had a second wife with whom he spent most of his time. Literally, no one on either side knew this for over 25 years. He also purchased the same prefab house, the same furniture, and the same everything for each of his wives, so their houses mirrored each other (which probably helped him keep his story straight)." - Dr. Esther Perel, couples therapist and author

2. The power of love

"My husband's grandmother was a Jewish teenager during WWII and was placed in a concentration camp. During this time, a Nazi guard fell in love with her and would bring her extra food, clothing, etc. He continued to protect her to keep her alive. When the war was over, she came to the US and started a new life. She revealed this secret to our family just days before she passed away." - Dr. Laura Berman, sex therapist

3. Well, Auntie Susan got a kick out of things

"My aunt poisoned my grandma for her inheritance. Everyone in my family knows about it, but it's just not talked about." - Dr. Michele Gelfand, cultural psychologist. According to Dr. Gelfand, "Family secrets can create a culture of silence that complicates relationships and emotional well-being." This idea is further supported by Dr. Ramani Durvasula, clinical psychologist, who notes, "Secrets can lead to a breakdown in trust, making it difficult for family members to connect authentically." For more insights on family dynamics, visit Dr. Michele Gelfand's website.

4. The uncle who was fooling around too much

"My great-uncle was killed in a train accident in the '60s. I recently learned that he was having an affair at the time, and he got killed because he and his mistress were fooling around while they were parked on a railroad track! The train crashed right into them. No one in my family has ever really discussed it." - Dr. Alexandra Solomon, relationship therapist

5. Daddy was a bit of a fraud

"My dad created a Ponzi scheme of sorts by claiming he invented a device that turned water into energy. He defrauded thousands of people out of their money. When my dad ultimately went to prison, we believed it was just a mistake (not knowing where his money was really coming from), but a few months ago, my mom revealed that he had gone to prison for a similar crime before I was born." - Liz Weston, financial columnist

6. When you really find out where your family comes from

"Discovering hidden aspects of family history can be both enlightening and disorienting. It’s essential to approach these revelations with an open mind and a willingness to understand the complexities of our ancestors’ lives," says Dr. Alexandra Solomon, relationship therapist. "Family secrets can challenge our perceptions of identity and belonging, but they also provide an opportunity for growth and deeper connections." This sentiment resonates with many who, like me, have unearthed unexpected truths about their lineage. I spent the last 40 years obsessing over my grandmother’s amazing family photo collection, which showcased our rich, dynamic, and loving family history. Well, last year she pulled out a secret photo album containing several photos of my great-great-uncle proudly posing in his SS Nazi uniform. I felt like my entire family history was a lie."

7. Weird affairs and things

"My grandma had an affair and got pregnant, so my grandfather got back at her by sleeping with the wife of the man she had an affair with. Because of this, my uncle is technically only my half-uncle." - Dr. Alexandra Solomon, relationship therapist. Dr. Solomon notes, "Infidelity can create complex family dynamics that often lead to unexpected relationships within families." Understanding these dynamics is crucial for navigating the emotional fallout.

8. Swinging toward the family friend

"My brother and his ex-wife were swingers, and she happened to get pregnant. Ever since their daughter was born, we've had a family friend who always – I mean always – came to the child's big life events, like birthdays and recitals. It wasn't until recently when someone pointed out how similar that child and our family friend look. I've tried asking questions, but no one will give me a straight answer, so I’m convinced she’s not my brother's kid." - Dr. Shefali Tsabary, parenting expert explains, "Family dynamics can be complex, especially in non-traditional arrangements. It's essential to approach these situations with sensitivity and openness."

9. The moment you realize your aunt is more like a sister

"My aunt is actually my sister. My mom gave birth to my 'aunt' when she was 16, so my grandmother raised the baby as her own." - Dr. Alexandra Solomon, relationship therapist

10. The truth is in the attic

"My mom revealed that our Dutch ancestors hid a Jewish family in their attic and forged food stamps during WWII. If they were caught, they would have been killed, so it remained a secret for a long time. No one in my family knew what happened to the Jewish family after the war. I hope they survived." - Dr. Alexandra Solomon, relationship therapist

11. What some people wouldn't do for love

"My great-grandmother's brother married a woman who always looked extremely put together – perfect makeup and hair, etc. When she was on her deathbed, she admitted that she was actually black (albeit fairly light-skinned). She 'disguised' herself using makeup and hair relaxers because she couldn't have legally married her white husband as a black woman, and she never felt that their love would be accepted unless she was able to pass. Of course, her husband knew, but no one else in the family did. No one was mad when they found out, which might have been the saddest part. The two never had children, and my great-grandma's brother never remarried." - Dr. Alexandra Solomon, relationship therapist

12. What would they be?

"My uncle had an affair with his oldest son's wife. To this day, we still don't know if the two kids the wife had are my cousin's or my uncle's." - Dr. Shefali Tsabary, parenting expert explains, "Family secrets can create a web of confusion and emotional turmoil that affects generations." This sentiment is echoed by Dr. John Gray, relationship author, who notes, "When trust is broken in family dynamics, it can lead to deep-seated issues that require open communication to resolve."

13. Why keep it such a big secret?

"My grandma was kidnapped when she was 12. She was ultimately returned two days later, but everyone pretended like nothing had happened, including her own mother. Everyone refused to talk about it, even to this day. It's so sketchy." - Dr. Shefali Tsabary, parenting expert

14. The robber that fled

"My aunt revealed that my great-grandparents fled Scotland because my great-grandfather had a habit of robbing people, and the police were starting to catch on." - Dr. Terri Orbuch, relationship researcher and author

15. A new way to find out who your parents are

"I recently found out by accident via a 23andMe DNA test that I'm not my dad's biological child. Apparently, my parents broke up for a few months years ago, and my mom got pregnant. She didn't find out she was pregnant until after she got back together with my dad, so she decided not to say anything." - Dr. Terri Orbuch, relationship researcher and author