'Mother Nurture: Life Lessons From the Mothers of America's Best and Brightest'

Leah said she also made a concerted effort to expose Steven to the complexity and humanity of the world—experiences which are certainly reflected in the breadth and depth of his films. "We were always adopting or picking up all kinds of people, whether it was the housekeeper or the child of alcoholic parents… We were not class distinct people. We never saw class. If we saw class we actually gravitated toward the lower class, not the upper class. We just felt more comfortable there." Leah said that this is how Steven still lives his life. "Steve and Kate are frugal. They have middle class values. They want their kids to grow up with values. And so, in order to grow up with values, particularly when you're a billionaire, you need to have restrictions. I think that Steven is, above all, someone who sees different people's points of view, whether it's middle class, whether it's someone struggling, or whether it's a lost kid."

As fitting for someone who interprets the world through such a creative lens, Leah said her experience of motherhood could be captured by a photograph she has of herself and her daughter, Sue, in the living room in their pajamas: "The picture was just so dramatic. I was just so swept up in the moment, which is how I am. I'm just very present."

Above all, Leah emphasized her commitment to just being who she was—a quality she certainly imparted to her children. "I just like being me. I like my role in life." For Leah, that has meant eternal youth to a certain degree. "I think some of my parenting success has come from the fact that I've never lost my inner child." Having a mother like Leah, who helped her son realize his dreams, has set in motion a much bigger chain of events. "Steven has always helped young film makers. I think he realized the importance of having someone believe in you." Distilling it all down to an apt metaphor, Leah said, "You have to let your kids lead. It's just like dancing."

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