• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • GMA3: WYNTK
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2025 ABC News
  • Culture

Jamie Lynn Spears emotionally recalls daughter Maddie's near-death accident

14:24
The story of Britney Spears
WireImage via Getty Images, FILE
ByCarson Blackwelder
Video byChris Cirillo
May 15, 2020, 8:50 PM

It's been more than three years since Jamie Lynn Spears' daughter, Maddie, had a near-death ATV accident in February 2017 -- but it's a day her mother will certainly never forget.

The "Zoey 101" star opened up about one of the most emotional experiences of her life on Thursday's episode of Maria Menounos' "Better Together" podcast.

Related Articles

MORE: Britney Spears hints at a possible new collaboration with Madonna

Thinking back to the frightening day, Spears noted that, despite "every safety measure that could be taken," Maddie, now 11, "somehow or another drove into the water."

"We thought she was gone," the 29-year-old admitted, recalling Maddie's status after being rescued from the water and attended to by first responders. "We thought we lost our daughter."

Editor’s Picks

Britney Spears' sister shares 3 throwback photos to mark the pop star's birthday

  • Dec 02, 2019

Britney Spears calls her split from Justin Timberlake 'one of the world's biggest'

  • Apr 16, 2020

Britney Spears takes a stand against bullies spamming her with hurtful comments

  • Mar 19, 2020

"There's nothing worse than looking at your child and just feeling that you've failed her," she continued. "And I didn't want her to think that I couldn't save her."

One firefighter eventually got a pulse, but "she wasn't responding to anything and so it was not looking good for us." Anticipating a "worst-case scenario," Spears and husband Jamie Watson -- with whom she also shares daughter Ivey, 2 -- asked for a priest to come pray for her in the ICU.

"He went to put the oil on her head and read the [last] rites and she sat up and started kicking, and her hands started grabbing at all the things," the singer added. "That was our first sign that she was there."

Related Articles

MORE: Britney Spears tells the story of how she accidentally 'burnt down' her gym

Spears has opted to look at the positive instead of dwelling on the negative. Over the last few years, the mom of two said "everything changed" for her as a parent.

"God gave me the blessing of giving me my daughter back. I lost her and I got her back," she concluded. "So I don't get to make any excuses. I've been given the best, biggest blessing you can be given. I'm not allowed to waste a day on this earth complaining or being ungrateful."

Editor’s Picks

Britney Spears' sister shares 3 throwback photos to mark the pop star's birthday

  • Dec 02, 2019

Britney Spears calls her split from Justin Timberlake 'one of the world's biggest'

  • Apr 16, 2020

Britney Spears takes a stand against bullies spamming her with hurtful comments

  • Mar 19, 2020

Up Next in Culture—

John Stamos reveals he broke news of Brian Wilson's death to Mike Love

June 13, 2025

Hailee Steinfeld reflects on 'unforgettable' wedding to Josh Allen

June 13, 2025

Donna Kelce joins 'The Traitors' season 4: 'I raised two playmakers, but now it's Mama's turn'

June 13, 2025

'Bachelor' star Grant Ellis, Juliana Pasquarosa part ways, say they still 'love and respect' each other

June 13, 2025

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2025 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2025 ABC News