Donna Berzatto is portrayed by Jamie Lee Curtis and is the mother of Carmy, Michael and Natalie. Although seen briefly throughout the series, Curtis has won critical acclaim for her portrayal. Donna suffers from extreme mood swings as shown by her erratic and volatile behavior. While it is never stated, one can infer that she is more than likely an alcoholic who has Borderline Personality Disorder.
Background[]
Personality[]
Donna appears to be emotionally unhinged. She may have a martyr complex. In the episode “Fishes” she spends a whole day chaotically preparing a feast of seven fishes, even though several different characters frequently ask why she’s doing it, what the tradition is even about and why it has to be so complex. No one wants it or asked for it, but she insists on martyring herself to make this incredibly complex dinner in a home kitchen that is barely equipped for it. Despite consistently being offered help by several members of the family, she either refuses or barks confusing, hard to follow instructions at them so even if they try they won’t be able to help; that way she gets to keep her martyr status. Later, she berates everyone for not ever helping her when this is clearly not true. There is also a strong hint towards alcoholism. In this same episode, whilst she is cooking dinner, her daughter Natalie pours a bottle of vodka away when her mother, Donna, isn’t looking. It has also been theorized that she has Borderline Personality Disorder as evidenced by her fear of abandonment and erratic relationship patterns with her family members. She makes Carm feel guilty about not even wanting to come home and continually questions everyone's motives. This paranoia and distrust are also signs of BPD.
Physical Description[]
Donna appears to care about her physical appearance. She is shown to have ringlets in her shoulder length blonde hair (likely dyed), and has long red acrylic nails. She wears makeup, including false lashes, one of which falls onto her cheek while she is crying to Carmy before dinner.
Throughout the Series[]
Season 2[]
Donna is mother of Carmy, Michael, and Natalie. In a flashback, she prepared the complex Feast of the Seven Fishes, a traditional Italian-American meal associated with Christmas. Donna constantly feels overwhelmed and burdened by the preparations but does not ask for help. Donna then expresses frustration and feeling unloved, having been stuck in the kitchen all day without any assistance.
Donna's emotional state reaches a breaking point when she has an outburst during the family dinner, smashing a plate and accusing everyone of not loving and respecting her. After leaving the table, she subsequently drives a car through the side of the house.
At the end of Season 2, Donna goes to Carmy's restaurant opening but refuses to go in. Pete, Natalie's husband, sees her. She pleads with him not to tell Natalie she had been there, claiming she feels she does not deserve to see her childrens' success and that she could potentially ruin the night with another blowup. Pete accidentally reveals Natalie's pregnancy to her, which causes her to leave in tears.
Season 3[]
When Natalie goes into labor and is unable to get in touch with Pete or anyone at the restaurant, she reluctantly contacts her mother. Donna immediately abandons a hair appointment to meet her daughter at the hospital and starts doting on her to Natalie's frustration. However, during their time at the hospital they bond as Donna helps her through the painful contractions and tells stories about the births of her siblings. Donna admits to having a vague understanding of why Natalie did not tell her about the pregnancy: Natalie explains she does not want her daughter to grow up "scared", which she admits to Donna's sorrow that she, Carmy, and Mikey had always felt growing up. Donna explains she has been trying to work on her demons, but it has been a struggle. She acknowledges that strained relationships with parents is a cycle in her family, noting her own relationship with her own mother. After Pete arrives, Donna willingly cedes her role as Natalie's support during labor to him and waits in hospital reception. The Faks arrive and cheer her up, pointing out that she is now a grandmother.
With their relationship in a better place, Natalie elects to stay in touch with her mother, including sending her photos of her baby.
Relationships[]
- Lee Lane - on and off again boyfriend
- Lloyd Sylvester - Maple Leaf construction worker from Winnipeg, MB. Booty call.