Maria Thattil reveals how having an abortion and helped her get to where she is today

Former Miss Universe Australia Maria Thattil has revealed how having an abortion in 2015 helped her get to where she is today.

The 29-year-old said in her column for Nine Honey on Saturday that terminating her  pregnancy gave her the chance to return to university and ‘increased her prospects’.

Maria explained how she worked in a minimum wage job, still lived at home with her parents and had been diagnosed with depression and anxiety when she discovered she was pregnant.

She said she couldn’t imagine how her life would’ve turned out if she’d been forced to carry that pregnancy to term.

‘Freedom to decide [my] own future not only increased prospects, but it gave [me] the ability to pivot,’ she wrote.

Maria continued: ‘Pivoting that saw [me] win Miss Universe Australia, represent my country and launch a media career as a self-employed columnist, speaker and public figure reaching people globally to champion anti-racism, inclusion, LGBQTIA+ rights and reproductive justice.’

Maria explained how she worked in a minimum wage job, still lived at home with her parents and had been diagnosed with depression and anxiety when she discovered she was pregnant

She revealed how her success helped her become financially independent and also give back to her family.

‘Legal access to abortion gave me choice in my own life. Like every first-rate citizen should have,’ she said.

Maria also wrote a moving appeal for women’s reproductive rights in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

‘Freedom to decide [my] own future not only increased prospects, but it gave [me] the ability to pivot,’ she wrote

The original decision made in 1973 meant that States in the U.S. were unable to ban abortions outright.

She said she’s devastated for ‘children, victims of rape or incest and people facing life-threatening conditions’ who are being forced to carry a pregnancy to term.

Vowing to fight for reproductive justice, Maria gave thanks for her own freedoms, and wrote how her heart was breaking for others not so fortunate.

Maria also wrote a moving appeal for women’s reproductive rights in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court ‘s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade