(Image source: The New York Times)


 
BY MARC STEIDLER
ANCHOR CHRISTINA HARTMAN

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Two weeks after Bernie Madoff admitted to running the largest Ponzi scheme in US history, his wife said they attempted suicide.

Speaking out for the first time about her husband’s crimes-- Ruth Madoff told CBS 60 Minutes, it happened on Christmas Eve 2008.

“I don’t know whose idea it was, but we decided to kill ourselves. Because it was so horrendous, what was happening. We had terrible phone calls. Hate mail, just beyond anything and I said... I just can’t go on anymore.”

Madoff says they each took several sleeping pills -- but woke up the next morning. The revelation comes nearly one year after her son Mark committed suicide.

Mark’s wife Stephanie told ABC her deceased husband felt betrayed by his mother.

“He could not understand how she could stand by this man, how she could stand by a monster.”

But a Madoff biographer told CNN-- Ruth might be trying to repair the bridges she burned with her children.

“I think this is an attempt for her to get back with Andrew and essentially put Bernie aside, finally. When she had a choice between sticking with her husband or with her two sons - she chose her husband. Now she seems to be reversing that.”

Doubts surround the legitimacy of the suicide claim. A security guard who was with the Madoffs that Christmas Eve says he noticed nothing unusual. The Daily Mail points out why his story may be credible.

“His claims were bolstered by Madoff biographer Andrew Kirtzman who said Mrs Madoff's 'disclosure' could be part of a PR campaign to counter the negative publicity against her.”

But another Madoff biographer tells CBS the family’s history lends truth to Ruth’s claim.

“I think this (interview) is a very good barometer for what kind of emotional state she was in in those weeks and months after his arrest, so I do find it credible that she attempted suicide and then regretted it. Suicide has been a dreadful theme in this family's life.”

Ruth Madoff has not spoken with her husband since their son’s suicide a year ago. Bernie Madoff is currently serving a 150-year sentence.

Transcript by Newsy.

U.S. News: Madoff Suicide Attempt

Madoff's Wife: We Attempted Suicide

October 27, 2011
(2:18)
Ruth Madoff tells CBS she and her husband Bernie attempted suicide two weeks after he admitted to running a $60 billion Ponzi scheme.
   
TRANSCRIPT

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