Barbara O’Neill has become a polarising figure in the wellness community, particularly following her ban from providing health services in Australia.

She has long advocated for unconventional health practices, often promoting ideas that have drawn significant criticism from medical authorities. In September 2019, she was prohibited from offering health-related services in Australia. So, what happened to Barbara O’Neill after her ban?

Barbara O'NeillBarbara O’Neill writes on the board, and Barbara O’Neill smiles for the camera. Photo: @realbarbaraoneill (modified by author)
Source: Instagram

Barbara O’Neill is an Australian alternative healthcare promoter and author.

She has gained notoriety for promoting natural therapies and wellness practices, although many of her claims have been criticised as unsupported.

O’Neill has authored several books on health and wellness, including Self Heal by Design and Sustain Me.

Who is Barbara O’Neill?

Barbara O’Neill was born in Australia on 28 July 1953. She has positioned herself as a health educator and lecturer since 2004. She has conducted workshops and seminars internationally, including in Saudi Arabia, where she discussed natural health practices.

Despite lacking formal qualifications in health-related fields, she has gained notoriety for her controversial views on health and wellness. Barbara often promotes ideas that contradict established medical knowledge. Her teachings have been described as misinformation, particularly concerning serious health issues such as cancer treatment.

In 2019, the New South Wales Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) banned Barbara O’Neill from providing health-related services. The decision followed numerous complaints from the public and healthcare professionals regarding her dangerous advice.

Barbara O'NeillBarbara O’Neill smiles for the camera. Photo: @realbarbaraoneill (modified by author)
Source: Instagram

The HCCC found that O’Neill had breached several clauses of the Code of Conduct for Unregistered Health Practitioners, posing a significant risk to public health. Barbara O’Neill’s controversy started when she advised patients to avoid conventional treatments like chemotherapy in favour of unproven remedies such as bicarbonate of soda and unpasteurised goat’s milk.

The HCCC’s prohibition order was comprehensive, preventing Barbara O’Neill from delivering health education or services across multiple Australian states. The Commission emphasised that even online presentations could be considered a breach of her ban. Despite this ruling, O’Neill has continued to promote her ideas through various platforms.

In addition to her activities, O’Neill’s affiliated organisation, Misty Mountain Health Retreat, has come under scrutiny from the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). The retreat was investigated for potential breaches of charity laws related to its status as a health promotion charity.

The ACNC examined whether the retreat had appropriately provided health advice under its charitable status, especially given the questionable nature of the information disseminated by Barbara O’Neill.

What happened to Barbara O’Neill after getting banned in Australia?

Following her ban in Australia, Barbara O’Neill has not ceased her promotional activities. Instead, she has shifted her focus internationally and has become active on social media. Here, she shares her views and continues attracting a following despite her claims’ discredited nature.

She often frames herself as a victim of censorship and claims that mainstream medical authorities are suppressing her ideas. That narrative resonates with some followers, leading to petitions and movements advocating for the reversal of her ban.

Barbara O'NeillBarbara O’Neill speaks on a mic. Photo: @realbarbaraoneill
Source: Instagram

Barbara O’Neill’s supporters often share testimonials praising her methods and expressing dissatisfaction with conventional medical treatments. The grassroots support is bolstered by social media algorithms that promote content aligning with users’ interests, further amplifying her reach.

Is Barbara O’Neill still married?

Yes. She has been married to Michael O’Neill for 27 years and shares a blended family of eight children from previous relationships: Michael has two children, and Barbara has six. Barbara O’Neill’s notable child is Emma Magnolia, a health enthusiast and educator.

Michael O’Neill is the founder of the now-defunct Informed Medical Options Party, an anti-vaccination and anti-fluoride political group.

FAQs about Barbara O’Neill

    Is Barbara O’Neill still alive? Barbara O’Neill is still alive and continues to be active in promoting her alternative health practices despite being banned in Australia.
    Is Barbara O’Neill a doctor? Barbara O’Neill is not a doctor, has no recognised qualifications in health care, and did not complete her nursing training.
    Why was Barbara O’Neill banned in Australia? Barbara O’Neill was banned in Australia for promoting unsupported health practices that posed risks to public health.
    What qualifications does Barbara O’Neill claim to have? Barbara O’Neill claims to have received diplomas in naturopathy, nutrition, and dietetics from now-defunct organisations.
    What are Barbara O’Neill’s main research interests? Barbara O’Neill’s main research interests primarily revolve around alternative health practices and natural remedies.
    How many books has Barbara O’Neill written? Barbara O’Neill has written at least two notable books: Self Heal by Design (2014) and Sustain Me.
    Who is Barbara O’Neill’s daughter? Barbara O’Neill’s daughter is Emma Magnolia, a health enthusiast, educator, and advocate for holistic living.

Wrapping up

So, what happened to Barbara O’Neill] after getting banned in Australia? After getting banned in Australia, Barbara O’Neil shifted her focus internationally and has become increasingly active on social media platforms like TikTok. She uses social media to share her views and continues attracting a following despite her claims’ discredited nature.

Tuko.co.ke shared an article about Charleston White, a social media personality, motivational speaker, and comedian. He has gained notoriety for his outspoken views on societal issues, particularly those affecting the African American community.

Charleston White has gone from a troubled childhood to a controversial yet influential figure. Learn how his outspoken views, advocacy for youth empowerment, and ventures into film and social media have earned him both admiration and criticism in this article.