Celebrities get a lot of flak these days for adopting babies, multiple babies, and even more so multiple races of babies. The altruism of adopting the child is almost negated by the fact that they, as busy (and sometimes CRAZY) people are adopting a child that they may or may not “fit” into their lifestyle. Minus the whole Michael Jackson dangling a baby from a window, one has to appreciate that these celebs (even with their faults and sometimes selfish personalities) are giving these children a better lifestyle than they would have had. (Actually sometimes a better lifestyle than most of us have haha). On the other side of famous adoption stories are the famous people who have been adopted. These are people that but for their birth mother’s sacrifice may not have become the amazing public or famous figures they are today. Here are some of our favorite famous adoption success stories:
Patty Stanger (adopted): Patty, better known as the millionaire matchmaker, is quite open with her adoption story. On one of her episodes she even shares with the world her adoption story, her quest to find herself, and the realization of the connection she has with her birth mother even though they’ve never met. She looks JUST like her mother. Patty is a strong, independent, intelligent woman who has a booming business that helps start families, or at least start the spark that eventually leads to baby making. The episode shows that had her birth mother not given her up for adoption, Patty may have been caught in her mother’s downward spiral (she was an alcoholic who died awaiting a liver), and she certainly wouldn’t have been the next in line for the match making business!
Jack Nicholson (adopted): Jack Nicholson, as a person, actor, and character is simply put the epitome of unconventional. Similar to him being unconventional so is his story. He spent his entire life thinking that his mother was his sister. He only found out that he was adopted once both his mother and grandmother had both passed. His mother had him too early in life so she stepped back in the shadows to let her mother raise him. She raised him into one powerful and talented man!
Faith Hill (adopted): Faith was actually adopted by a couple in Mississippi. Someone must’ve done something right because she became one of America’s favorite stars to eventually become ½ of one of the South’s favorite couples. Breathtakingly beautiful inside and out, Faith’s story of meeting her birth mother along with her search for stardom is wonderful. In her interview with Good Housekeeping she says, “I have a lot of respect for my birth mother and no feelings of anger or any of that,” she has said. “I know she must have had a lot of love for me to want to give me what she felt was a better chance.”
Kristen Davis (adoptive parent): Kristen Davis, best known for her role as Charlotte on Sex & the City, who was obsessed with meeting the perfect man and making the perfect baby, adopted her baby Gemma Rose Davis as a single mother back in 2011. Unlike her character on Sex & the City, Kristen may be doing this alone, but similar to Charlotte, she chose to adopt. I for one feel Kristen (and Charlotte) will make a wonderful mommy. Let’s hope she gets that Tiffany rattle she loved so much!
Calista Flockhart (adoptive parent): Often, when one thinks of Calista Flockhart and babies, we inevitably think of the Ooga Chocka GIF & Ally McBeal. If you don’t know who this baby is- please go check it out. Similar to Calista’s character, Ally, Calista seems to have caught the motherhood bug and adopted her son Liam back in 2001 while she was single. However, her beau (now hubby), Harrison Ford, has taken on the role of Liam’s daddy. Okay… who wouldn’t want Indiana Jones as their father?! (My father has an Indiana Jones hat that he got at the Indiana Jones show at Disney — close enough!!)
Michelle Pffeifer (adoptive parent): Michelle, one of the most beautiful and talented women in Hollywood, decided to adopt her daughter Claudia on her own. Shortly thereafter, she met and married her prince charming who later adopted Claudia as well. Michelle decided back in 1993 to adopt Claudia even though they weren’t technically the same race. Although some people in society decided to judge her and her decision, her response was simply “”I was shocked at the prejudice, voiced in some quarters, over my decision to adopt a mixed-race baby. It’s really surprising that people still put so much emphasis on it,” she’s said. “None of us are pure anything. We’re all a mixture.” Well said Michelle.. well said.
BONUS: Superman (adopted): Okay, yes he’s a fictional character, but the story of a major super hero coming to our planet to be adopted by some small town farmers who raise him to be the ultimate good human (even though technically he’s an alien) who eventually saves lives as a hobby is not only heartwarming, but really shows adopted children everywhere that your birthparents sacrifice was for the good of your future (and in superman’s case – the good of all mankind). Talk about one awesome adoption nursery theme!