Part 7/10:
In her later years, family turmoil would further compound her struggles. After marrying John, Michelle became the stepmother to Mackenzie Phillips, whose own allegations against their father ignited family rifts. Michelle defended her late husband, casting doubt on the veracity of Mackenzie’s claims, which drew lines within the family about who to believe against a backdrop of destructive behaviors linked to drug use. These tensions seemed to overshadow whatever closeness the family might have had in the wake of tragedy.