65 Fiona Gallagher Quotes from the 'Shameless' Southside Queen

Fiona Gallagher was the feisty and no-nonsense protagonist of the series "Shameless" until season nine when actress Emmy Rossum who played Fiona, said goodbye to her viewers and castmates. Read 65 quotes from her character that will remind audiences why they fell in love with Fiona in the first place.

Fiona and her six younger siblings live in the poverty-stricken Southside of Chicago. Their father, Frank Gallagher, is an alcoholic, and their mother, Monica Gallagher, who has bipolar, comes and goes as she pleases.

As a result, Fiona looked after and raised her siblings from a young age, even dropping out of high school to manage this massive responsibility. She eventually becomes her siblings' legal guardian after a court battle with her father.

Fiona is fiercely protective of her family, resourceful and strong with a heart of gold, but she is by no means perfect. Throughout the nine seasons, she battles with raising her siblings while still building a life for herself, trying to find her way out of her working-class status, and trying not to repeat the patterns of her parents, which she sometimes fails at.

That being said, she always tries to better herself. Eventually, after hitting rock bottom, she manages to get her life together, consciously choosing to leave her hometown for a hopefully brighter future. Read the following 65 hard-hitting quotes from this sassy Southside woman.

Fiona Gallagher’s quote: "My mother’s bipolar, and my father’s an alcoholic and an addict. He takes what he pleases…” |Source: AmoDays

Fiona Gallagher Quotes about Frank and Monica

“You couldn’t count on her [Monica], but she never had a bad thing to say about anyone, and she always had a good time. And that’s something.” – Fiona Gallagher

"[To Frank] She [Monica] was a junkie and a drunk. She didn’t love me. She didn’t love you. She didn’t give a [expletive] about anyone but herself. I’m glad she’s dead." — Fiona Gallagher

"My mother’s bipolar, and my father’s an alcoholic and an addict. He takes what he pleases…” — Fiona Gallagher

“He [Frank] is a black hole of endless need that will suck the life out of you.” — Fiona Gallagher

"Did he [Frank] give you money for the field trip?" — Fiona Gallagher

“You don’t get to abandon your kids and then show up one day to take your pick of the litter. Shut up, Frank. This isn’t about you. This is about you [Monica]. This is about what you didn’t do. It’s about what I did. And you know what? I did a [expletive] great job. Debbie is class president. She’s on the debate team. Going to Nationals. And Lip. He’s top of his class. He set the curve. Ian was promoted in ROTC, and he tested out of English. And Carl made something blow up for his science fair. And you know what? They did it all, no thanks to you because you weren’t here. He doesn’t even know who you are! You’re my mother, too!" — Fiona Gallagher

Fiona Gallagher’s quote: “He [Frank] is a black hole of endless need that will suck the life out of you.” |Source: AmoDays

"Where is she [Monica]?" — Fiona Gallagher

“If I had to apologize for all the stuff my father’s done, I wouldn’t have a voice left.” — Fiona Gallagher

“I was raised by a con artist, so I know one when I see one.” — Fiona Gallagher

"Okay, then why did she leave? If she loved us so much, why wasn’t she here? She wasn’t here! She was never [expletive] here! She left! I was nine! Nine and taking care of you. Taking care of all of us." — Fiona Gallagher

Fiona Gallagher’s quote: “If I had to apologize for all the stuff my father’s done, I wouldn’t have a voice left.” | Source: AmoDays

“Only when there’s a check coming. Who are you?” — Fiona Gallagher

“Frank doesn’t have any friends. Only people he hasn’t pissed off yet.” — Fiona Gallagher

"You know what? You’re right. You are their mother. And you’re here now. So I’m done. I’m done with the schools and the bills and the clinics. I’m done. They’re all yours now, Mom. Good luck." — Fiona Gallagher

"I washed Carl’s...diapers! I picked lice out of Liam’s hair! And I was here when Debbie got her first period. Not Monica. Me. And never you..." — Fiona Gallagher

Fiona Gallagher Quotes about and to Her Family and Siblings

"[To Lip] I took the GED so you would stay in school. I waitressed my [expletive] off so that you could go to college and drink yourself sick." — Fiona Gallagher

Fiona Gallagher’s quote: "I just want to be able to give these kids everything that they deserve." | Source: AmoDays

"[Talkingt to Ian] You wanna be a [expletive] or do you want my help?" — Fiona Gallagher

"I'm taking my time with this because I want you all to remember this. How hard you tried not to have to come to me because if you didn't have to come to me, then maybe you could just get through all of this without having to admit one simple truth, which is that I was right." — Fiona Gallagher

“I’m gonna go see the lawyer, try to get Carl home as soon as possible.” — Fiona Gallagher

“It’s not like that; he [Ian] may need to be hospitalized.” — Fiona Gallagher

Fiona Gallagher’s quote: “Could I possibly be doing a worse job at raising these kids?” | Source: AmoDays

"I am the one who saw to your survival since you were babies. I am the only reason that you are still breathing and have limbs intact, so I want you to remember this moment so that the next time that I try warn you against a plan that Frank and Monica thought was a good idea, maybe just maybe you will....listen!" — Fiona Gallagher

“[Talking about Ian's bipolar] It can be weeks! It’s mood swings, okay, it’s almost impossible to handle!” — Fiona Gallagher

"We were living out of a car once. Uncle Nick had kicked us out. No one else would take us in. Lip and Ian, and me were sleeping in the back seat when Frank pulled over. Middle of the night. Told me to take the boys and sit on the curb, and he’d be right back. I was six. Few hours later, we’re still sitting on the sidewalk, and Ian’s head is burning up. He’s hysterical; I don’t know what to do. So I ran down the street, Lip under one arm, Ian under the other, trying to flag down help...I finally made it on foot. They said Ian had a fever of 104. Another couple of hours, who knows? I didn’t find Frank until a couple days later. First thing he asked me was how much money I had on me. I wish I could say that was the only time, but it was just the first. My mother’s bipolar, and my father’s an alcoholic and an addict. He takes what he pleases and offers nothing. No money. No support. I’ve done what I could to help raise my siblings. I wish I could’ve done more. I’m not asking for your pity or your admiration. I just want to be able to give these kids everything that they deserve because they’re great kids. And they deserve better." — Fiona Gallagher

“Could I possibly be doing a worse job at raising these kids?” — Fiona Gallagher

Fiona Gallagher’s quote: “[To Carl] Is it okay if I say I’m proud of you?” | Source: AmoDays

“Welcome to my family.” — Fiona Gallagher

“I’m gonna go see the lawyer; try to get Carl home as soon as possible.” — Fiona Gallagher

"[To Ian] Just tell me you didn't go and get some girl pregnant." — Fiona Gallagher

“You [Debbie] can’t have a boy in your bed!” — Fiona Gallagher

“[About Ian] It could be bipolar disease like our mom.” — Fiona Gallagher

Fiona Gallagher’s quote: “I’m gonna go see the lawyer; try to get Carl home as soon as possible.” | Source: AmoDays

“[To Carl] Is it okay if I say I’m proud of you?” — Fiona Gallagher

Fiona Gallagher Quotes about Her Life and Struggles

“I know you want to punish me, and I get it. I want to punish myself.” — Fiona Gallagher

"Yes! It’s about me! Okay, because it’s never about me, and I’m finally making it about me.” — Fiona Gallagher

"Well, at least I can. Proves I'm wanted." — Fiona Gallagher

Fiona Gallagher’s quote: “I’m 23. It can’t be about how much they screwed us up anymore.” | Source: AmoDays

"I was at work too, and I was getting paid for it." — Fiona Gallagher

“Do I seem happy?” — Fiona Gallagher

"I want to do something different, something that's mine." — Fiona Gallagher

“It was me, Lip. Not Frank. Not Monica. Not nature. Not nurture. It was all me. I’m 23. It can’t be about how much they screwed us up anymore.” — Fiona Gallagher

Fiona Gallagher’s quote: “...it’s never about me and I’m finally making it about me.” | Source: AmoDays

“Well, if it makes you feel any better, I already blew it with my husband, and I don’t have any kind of diagnosis to pin it on.” — Fiona Gallagher

Emotional and Heart-Stirring Fiona Gallagher Quotes

“You make me want to enjoy my life again.” — Fiona Gallagher

"He doesn't just use drugs. He uses people!" — Fiona Gallagher

"I'm Fiona. He might seem like a good guy, but I thought the same thing when he was my fiancé, and one day he's gonna burn you too!" — Fiona Gallagher

“You need to let me go. You need to let me let you go.” — Fiona Gallagher

Fiona Gallagher’s quote: “You make me want to enjoy my life again.” | Source: AmoDays

“I can’t tell you that this is definitely gonna work out. There are no guarantees. But if this turns out to be a big mistake, then let’s make it the most fun big [expletive] mistake we’ve ever made.” — Fiona Gallagher

“You don’t get to ask me that.” — Fiona Gallagher

“You take care of yourself, whatever the hell your real name is!” — Fiona Gallagher

More Fiona Gallagher Quotes

“It means you say you're sorry.” — Fiona Gallagher

Fiona Gallagher’s quote: “I always fantasized about having enough money to stock up on toilet paper.” | Source: AmoDays

“No, I have to tell you something.” — Fiona Gallagher

“Spare me, Sammi. Your kid did not get arrested because of me.” — Fiona Gallagher

“You shut up, it’s summer!” — Fiona Gallagher

“That’s a technicality. You’re gonna judge me for that?” — Fiona Gallagher

Fiona Gallagher’s quote:“I was raised by a con artist, so I know one when I see one.” | Source: AmoDays

“First time you saw me if that wasn’t a lie.” — Fiona Gallagher

“I have no idea.” — Fiona Gallagher

"I'm sweating in places I didn't even know I could sweat." — Fiona Gallagher

“You know, for a guy who just got engaged, you don’t seem very happy to be getting married.” — Fiona Gallagher

“Showing up at your wedding [expletive] paralyzed and [expletive]? Yeah!” — Fiona Gallagher

Fiona Gallagher’s quote: “You don’t get to ask me that.” | Source: AmoDays

“You married a drug lord's daughter to hang on to your ear?” — Fiona Gallagher

“I always fantasized about having enough money to stock up on toilet paper.” — Fiona Gallagher

"Was there something wrong with your service? Because a tip of 15% or more is standard." — Fiona Gallagher

“I’ve mentioned him before.” — Fiona Gallagher

Fiona Gallagher’s quote: “You need to let me go. You need to let me let you go.” | Source: AmoDays

While Fiona made it out of the Southside, "Shameless" doesn't shy away from showing the reality of poverty and growing up in a neglectful and abusive household.

Borderline genius Lip Gallagher is one such character that tragically proves that no matter how hard you try or how gifted you are, your patterns and environment may still keep you down.

That being said, like Fiona, we must never lose faith and continue to pick ourselves up, hoping that we, too, can get on a plane, as she did, and fly toward our desired destiny.

If you, however, do feel like you are stuck in a rut and could use a lucky break, read these 44 quotes to bring some luck your way.