Tara Westover is an American memoirist, essayist, and historian. Her memoir, Educated, became a bestseller and won numerous awards, including the 2018 National Book Critics Circle Award for Autobiography.

Westover was born in 1986 to Gene and LaRee Westover, a Mormon family living in the mountains of Idaho. She was the youngest of seven children, and her parents were distrustful of the government and modern medicine. As a result, Westover was not allowed to attend school until she was 17 years old. She eventually went on to earn a PhD from Cambridge University.

Westover's memoir, Educated, tells the story of her childhood and her journey to education. The book has been praised for its insights into the power of education and the importance of perseverance.

Personal details and bio data of Tara Westover

Name	Tara Westover
Date of birth	September 26, 1986
Place of birth	Clifton, Idaho
Education	PhD, Cambridge University
Occupation	Memoirist, essayist, historian
Awards	National Book Critics Circle Award for Autobiography (2018)

Tara Westover's family played a significant role in her life and her education. Her parents' distrust of the government and modern medicine meant that she was not allowed to attend school until she was 17 years old. However, her parents also instilled in her a love of learning. Westover eventually went on to earn a PhD from Cambridge University, and she has become a successful memoirist and essayist.

Tara Westover Family

The family of Tara Westover is a complex and fascinating one. Her parents, Gene and LaRee Westover, were devout Mormons who raised their seven children in a remote area of Idaho. They were distrustful of the government and modern medicine, and as a result, Tara was not allowed to attend school until she was 17 years old.

Isolated
Religious
Survivalist
Uneducated
Loving
Complex

Despite the challenges she faced, Tara went on to earn a PhD from Cambridge University. Her memoir, Educated, tells the story of her childhood and her journey to education. The book has been praised for its insights into the power of education and the importance of perseverance.

The Westover family is a reminder that even in the most difficult circumstances, it is possible to achieve great things. Tara's story is an inspiration to us all.

1. Isolated

The Westover family lived in a remote area of Idaho, far from any neighbors or towns. They were distrustful of the government and modern medicine, and they homeschooled their children. As a result, Tara and her siblings had very little contact with the outside world.

Physical Isolation
The Westovers lived in a small cabin in the mountains. They had no running water or electricity, and they grew their own food. Tara and her siblings were not allowed to leave the property without their parents' permission.
Social Isolation
The Westovers had very little contact with the outside world. They did not attend school or church, and they did not have any friends or relatives living nearby. Tara and her siblings were only allowed to interact with other people if their parents were present.
Intellectual Isolation
The Westovers were not allowed to read books or newspapers, and they were not allowed to watch television or listen to the radio. Tara and her siblings were only allowed to learn what their parents taught them.
Emotional Isolation
The Westovers were not allowed to express their emotions. They were not allowed to cry, laugh, or get angry. Tara and her siblings were only allowed to show their parents what they wanted them to see.

The isolation that Tara and her siblings experienced had a profound impact on their lives. It made them fearful of the outside world and distrustful of other people. It also made it difficult for them to learn and grow. However, Tara was eventually able to overcome the challenges of her isolated upbringing and go on to achieve great things.

2. Religious

The Westover family is deeply religious. They are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), and their faith plays a central role in their lives. Their religious beliefs have a profound impact on their family values, their lifestyle, and their worldview.

Strong Work Ethic
The Westovers believe that hard work is a virtue. They are always busy working on their farm, homeschooling their children, or serving in their church community. Their strong work ethic has helped them to overcome many challenges and achieve their goals.
Importance of Family
The Westovers believe that family is the most important thing in life. They are very close-knit, and they support each other through thick and thin. Their strong family bonds have helped them to weather the storms of life.
Modest Lifestyle
The Westovers live a modest lifestyle. They do not believe in material possessions, and they focus on the things that are truly important in life, such as family, faith, and education. Their modest lifestyle has helped them to stay grounded and to appreciate the simple things in life.
Missionary Work
The Westovers believe that it is important to share their faith with others. They have served missions for the LDS Church in various parts of the world. Their missionary work has helped them to grow in their faith and to make a difference in the lives of others.

The Westover family's religious beliefs have had a profound impact on their lives. They have helped them to become hard-working, family-oriented, modest, and service-minded people. Their faith has also given them the strength to overcome challenges and to live happy and fulfilling lives.

3. Survivalist

The Westover family is a survivalist family. This means that they believe that the world is a dangerous place, and that they need to be prepared to survive in the event of a disaster. The family has a large stockpile of food and supplies, and they have also built a bomb shelter on their property.

The Westover family's survivalist beliefs have had a significant impact on their lives. They have taught their children to be self-sufficient and to be prepared for anything. The family has also been involved in several survivalist training programs.

The Westover family's survivalist beliefs are not without their critics. Some people believe that the family is too extreme in their preparations. However, the family believes that their preparations are necessary to protect themselves and their children in the event of a disaster.

The Westover family's survivalist beliefs are a reflection of their deep-seated fears about the future. They believe that the world is a dangerous place, and that they need to be prepared to protect themselves and their children. Their beliefs have had a significant impact on their lives, and they have taught their children to be self-sufficient and to be prepared for anything.

4. Uneducated

Tara Westover's memoir, Uneducated, is a powerful and inspiring story about her journey from a childhood of isolation and educational neglect to becoming a successful academic. The book has been praised for its insights into the power of education and the importance of perseverance.

The Westover family is a complex and fascinating one. Tara's parents are devout Mormons who raised their seven children in a remote area of Idaho. They were distrustful of the government and modern medicine, and as a result, Tara was not allowed to attend school until she was 17 years old.

Despite the challenges she faced, Tara went on to earn a PhD from Cambridge University. Her memoir, Uneducated, tells the story of her childhood and her journey to education. The book has been praised for its insights into the power of education and the importance of perseverance.

The connection between Uneducated and the Westover family is a complex one. The book is a powerful indictment of the family's isolationist and anti-intellectual beliefs. However, it is also a testament to the power of the human spirit. Tara's story is an inspiration to us all, and it shows us that it is possible to overcome even the most difficult circumstances.

5. Loving

Despite the challenges they faced, the Westover family is a loving one. Tara's parents are deeply devoted to each other and to their children. They have taught their children the importance of hard work, self-reliance, and family. The Westover family's love for each other has helped them to overcome many challenges and to build a strong and supportive community.

Strong Family Bonds
The Westovers are a close-knit family. They spend a lot of time together, and they support each other through thick and thin. Tara's parents are always there for their children, and they are always willing to help them out. The Westover children also have a strong bond with each other. They are always there for each other, and they always have each other's backs.
Sacrificial Love
The Westovers are willing to sacrifice a lot for each other. Tara's parents have worked hard to provide for their children, and they have always put their children's needs before their own. The Westover children are also willing to sacrifice for each other. They are always willing to help each other out, and they are always there for each other when they need them.
Forgiving Love
The Westovers are a forgiving family. They are always willing to forgive each other for their mistakes. Tara's parents have forgiven her for leaving the family and for pursuing an education. The Westover children have also forgiven each other for their mistakes. They are always willing to give each other a second chance.
Unconditional Love
The Westovers love each other unconditionally. They love each other for who they are, not for what they do. Tara's parents love her even though she left the family and pursued an education. The Westover children love each other even though they have different beliefs and values. The Westovers' love for each other is a powerful force that has helped them to overcome many challenges.

The Westover family's loving relationships are a testament to the power of love. Love can overcome even the most difficult challenges. It can build strong families and communities. It can bring people together and help them to heal. The Westover family is a shining example of the power of love.

6. Complex

The Westover family is a complex one. They are deeply religious, survivalist, and isolated. They are also loving and supportive. This complexity is reflected in their relationships with each other and with the outside world.

One of the most striking things about the Westover family is their religious beliefs. They are devout Mormons, and their faith plays a central role in their lives. They believe that they are living in the end times, and they are preparing for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. This belief has a profound impact on their lifestyle and their worldview.

Another important aspect of the Westover family is their survivalist beliefs. They believe that the world is a dangerous place, and they are preparing for a future collapse of society. They have a large stockpile of food and supplies, and they have also built a bomb shelter on their property. Their survivalist beliefs have a significant impact on their daily lives. They live a simple life, and they are always prepared for the worst.

The Westover family is also isolated from the outside world. They live in a remote area of Idaho, and they have very little contact with other people. They do not send their children to school, and they do not allow them to watch television or listen to the radio. This isolation has a profound impact on the Westover children. They are not exposed to the same ideas and influences as other children, and they develop a unique worldview.

Despite their complex beliefs and lifestyle, the Westover family is a loving and supportive one. The parents are deeply devoted to each other and to their children. The children are also close to each other, and they support each other through thick and thin. The Westover family is a testament to the power of love and family.

The Westover family is a complex and fascinating one. Their story is a reminder that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to life. We can all learn from their example, and we can all strive to create families that are loving, supportive, and complex.

Tara Westover Family FAQs

This section answers some of the most frequently asked questions about Tara Westover's family.

Question 1: What are the Westovers' religious beliefs?

The Westovers are devout Mormons, and their faith plays a central role in their lives. They believe that they are living in the end times, and they are preparing for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. This belief has a profound impact on their lifestyle and their worldview.

Question 2: Why did the Westovers not send their children to school?

The Westovers believe that the government and public schools are corrupt and dangerous. They also believe that children should be homeschooled in order to protect them from these influences. As a result, Tara and her siblings were not allowed to attend school until they were 17 years old.

Question 3: How did Tara Westover eventually go to college?

Tara was able to go to college thanks to the help of a family friend. The friend encouraged Tara to take the ACT, and she eventually earned a scholarship to Brigham Young University. Tara went on to earn a PhD from Cambridge University.

Question 4: What is the relationship between Tara Westover and her family today?

Tara's relationship with her family is complex. She has said that she loves her family, but she also disagrees with many of their beliefs. Tara has written about her experiences growing up in her family in her memoir, Educated.

Question 5: What can we learn from the Westover family?

The Westover family is a unique and fascinating one. Their story is a reminder that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to life. We can all learn from their example, and we can all strive to create families that are loving, supportive, and complex.

Summary of key takeaways:

The Westovers are devout Mormons, and their faith plays a central role in their lives.
The Westovers did not send their children to school because they believe that the government and public schools are corrupt and dangerous.
Tara Westover was able to go to college thanks to the help of a family friend.
Tara's relationship with her family is complex. She loves her family, but she also disagrees with many of their beliefs.
We can all learn from the Westover family's story.

Transition to the next article section:

The Westover family is a complex and fascinating one. Their story has inspired many people, and it continues to be a source of discussion and debate.

Conclusion

Tara Westover's memoir, Educated, has shed light on the complex and fascinating world of the Westover family. The family's religious beliefs, survivalist lifestyle, and isolation from the outside world have all shaped their unique worldview.

The Westover family's story is a reminder that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to life. We can all learn from their example, and we can all strive to create families that are loving, supportive, and complex. Tara Westover's story is an inspiration to us all, and it shows us that it is possible to overcome even the most difficult challenges.