Uma Thurman has opened up about how her 'darkest secret' is having an abortion as a teenager after having sex with a 'much older man'. The actress, 51, spoke about the experience in an op-ed for the The Washington Post where she opposed the new abortion law in Texas, which has banned abortions in the state past the six-week mark. Uma criticized the controversial legal move while sharing aspects of her own past, as she divulged that she had herself had a termination when she was in her late teens. During her open letter, Uma - who now has three children - admitted the 'hard' decision gave her the opportunity to 'grow up and become the mother she is today'. The latest: Uma Thurman, 51, explained her opposition to the new abortion law in Texas in an op-ed for The Washington Post in which shared what she called her 'darkest secret.' She was snapped last year in Paris Uma said: 'The abortion I had as a teenager was the hardest decision of my life, one that caused me anguish then and that saddens me even now, but it was the path to the life full of joy and love that I have experienced. 'Choosing not to keep that early pregnancy allowed me to grow up and become the mother I wanted and needed to be.' Saying she sees the law 'with great sadness and something akin to horror' she penned the revealing piece 'in the hope of drawing the flames of controversy away from the vulnerable women on whom this law will have an immediate effect.' The Pulp Fiction actress added, 'You might not be interested in the opinions of an actress, but given this new outrage, I feel it is my responsibility to stand up in their shoes.' Thurman noted her past as a teen actress 'working in an environment' in which she 'was often the only kid in the room;' and was living in Europe and working when she 'was accidentally impregnated by a much older man.' The War with Grandpa star said she 'struggled to figure out what to do,' adding, 'I wanted to keep the baby, but how?' The Pulp Fiction actress said that in sharing the story she hopes to speak to 'women and girls who might feel a shame that they can't protect themselves from and have no agency over.' She was seen last year in NYC at an event Thurman shared aspects of her own past amid the controversial legal move in Texas, as protesters were seen at the Texas State Capitol earlier this month She said she spoke with her parents about her options in a 'terrible' discussion in which they spoke about the details of the situation, and that her 'childish fantasy of motherhood' came into focus as she realized her lack of means 'to provide a stable home' for herself and a child. Thurman added, 'We decided as a family that I couldn't go through with the pregnancy, and agreed that termination was the right choice.' Thurman said that an older female friend in Germany helped her find a doctor, saying she was heartbroken and felt shame at the time of the procedure. 'There is so much pain in this story,' she said. 'It has been my darkest secret until now. I am 51 years old, and I am sharing it with you from the home where I have raised my three children, who are my pride and joy ... I conceived my beautiful, magical children with men whom I loved and trusted enough to dare to bring a child into this world. I have no regrets for the path I have traveled. I applaud and support women who make a different choice.' Thurman said that in sharing the story she hopes to speak to 'women and girls who might feel a shame that they can't protect themselves from and have no agency over.' At work: Thurman was seen filming the show Suspicion in New York this past May Details: The law in Texas - which was upheld by the Supreme Court earlier this month - is called a 'fetal heartbeat bill' and bans most abortions at the 'first detectable heartbeat The law in Texas - which was upheld by the Supreme Court earlier this month - is called a 'fetal heartbeat bill' and bans most abortions at the 'first detectable heartbeat. Thurman noted that 'the Texas abortion law was allowed to take effect without argument by the Supreme Court, which, due in no small part to its lack of ideological diversity, is a staging ground for a human rights crisis for American women' and 'another discriminatory tool against those who are economically disadvantaged, and often, indeed, against their partners.' Thurman said she was 'grief-stricken' as she shared a parting message 'to women and girls of Texas, afraid of being traumatized and hounded by predatory bounty hunters. 'To all women outraged by having our bodies' rights taken by the state; and to all of you who are made vulnerable and subjected to shame because you have a uterus - I say: I see you. Have courage. You are beautiful.' All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility