Paula Deen Talks Life After Scandal: 'I'm Still Alive'

By
Getty Images

Paula Deen is opening up to Peoplemagazine about life after her infamous scandal last June, when she admitted in a 2013 deposition that she had used the N-word a "very long time" ago, and lost her Food Network contract as well as a number of huge endorsement deals.

The 67-year-old "Queen of Butter" says that at her lowest point, she struggled just to get out of bed.

Pics: Star Sightings

"When I woke up each morning, it was like my world was crashing down again," she reveals.

Though things are now looking up for Deen nine months later -- she has a new company, Paula Deen Ventures, and has received an investment between $75 million and $100 million from Najari Companies, The Wall Street Journal reports.

"I'm fighting to get my name back," she says.

And she clearly has a survivor mentality after the huge scandal.

Related: Biggest Celeb Scandals

"I used to have dreams that I lost everything. And when it finally happens, you think, 'I'm still alive,'" she says.

People magazine featuring Paula Deen's full interview hits newsstands Friday.