Toni Braxton on 2001 Abortion: 'I Knew I'd Taken a Life'

Singer Toni Braxton had an abortion in 2001, a decision she does not diminish in her new memoir Unbreak My Heart.

In fact, the 46-year-old singer says she once thought God punished her for her actions by giving her son, Diezel Ky Braxton-Lew is Autism.

In my heart, I believed I had taken a life — an action that I thought God might one day punish me for … My initial rage was quickly followed by another strong emotion: guilt. I knew I’d taken a life … I believed God’s payback was to give my son autism.

The religious performer’s guilt over the “gut wrenching” act is visceral, but she has come to terms with her son’s condition.

When my youngest son was diagnosed with Autism I feared that I was being punished for my earlier actions. I have since realized that my son is special and learns in a different way.