Mary-Kate Olsen received treatment for an eating disorder in 2004, according to contemporaneous reports. While she was in care, her twin sister Ashley canceled an Australian promotional trip to be with family. The episode disrupted their joint plans, but the cited reports do not establish a lasting split or estrangement.
What happened to Mary-Kate Olsen in 2004?
On June 22, 2004, CBS reported that Mary-Kate had entered a treatment facility. Her publicist, Michael Pagnotta, initially described the reason as a “health-related issue,” saying she had “entered a treatment facility to seek professional help for a health-related issue.” The statement did not name a diagnosis. Contemporaneous coverage identified the condition as an eating disorder; it does not establish that Mary-Kate publicly confirmed anorexia. CBS News, June 22, 2004
Why did the story seem to split the twins?
Mary-Kate’s treatment changed the sisters’ promotional plans for New York Minute. Ashley canceled an Australian trip and stayed with family while Mary-Kate received care. Dualstar chief executive Robert Thorne said, “Ashley Olsen has decided to be with her family at this time.” CBS News/Associated Press, June 29, 2004
That is the basis for describing the health crisis as having temporarily separated the twins’ public schedules—not evidence that the sisters had fallen out. Ashley later told People, as reported by CBS/AP, “She’s hanging in there,” and said of the family’s response, “The support’s been really amazing.” CBS News/Associated Press, July 26, 2004
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What did the reports say about her treatment and recovery?
In follow-up comments reported by CBS/AP in June, Pagnotta said Mary-Kate was receiving ongoing treatment for an eating disorder from professionals available on both coasts and was “working very hard at being well.” Those are her publicist’s descriptions, not a clinical assessment. CBS News/Associated Press, June 24, 2004
On July 28, CBS/AP reported that Mary-Kate had been released after a six-week facility stay and expected to continue treatment afterward. Her spokesperson said she felt well and looked forward to returning to family and friends and preparing for NYU. CBS News/Associated Press, July 28, 2004
A later college-leave story in 2005 distinguished that decision from her earlier health treatment: the report said a spokesperson described the leave as unrelated to health and noted the 2004 eating-disorder treatment. RTÉ, October 17, 2005
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What can—and can’t—be concluded?
- Contemporaneous reports described Mary-Kate’s 2004 treatment as care for an eating disorder.
- Her publicist’s initial statement used the broader phrase “health-related issue”; it did not publicly confirm a specific diagnosis.
- Ashley canceled a promotional trip to be with family, interrupting the twins’ joint promotional plans.
- The reports document treatment and a temporary change in plans, not a permanent rift between the sisters.
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