Chrissy Teigen at John Legend at the Tony Awards.Photo: Arturo Holmes/Getty
The decision to welcome children into the world is a big one — and one that can look different from family to family.
For these celebrities, their parenthood journey included the help of a surrogate, a roleAnderson Cooperdescribed as “an extraordinary blessing.”
“My surrogate has a beautiful family of her own, a wonderfully supportive husband, and kids, and I am incredibly thankful for all the support they have given Wyatt and me. My family is blessed to have this family in our lives,” Cooper said.
Chrissy Teigen, who shared that she and her husbandJohn Legendhad welcomed their fourth child via surrogate on June 19, 2023, chose a name for their little one to honor the woman who carried him.
“We want to say thank you for this incredible gift you have given us, Alexandra,” Teigen wrote on Instagram. “And we are so happy to tell the world he is here, with a name forever connected to you, Wren Alexander Stephens.”
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Chrissy Teigen & John Legend
Chrissy Teigen, John Legend and their new son, Wren, who they welcomed via surrogate.Chrissy Teigen/Instagram
Chrissy Teigen/Instagram
TheCravingscookbook author confirmed the news on Instagram on June 28, sharing that theyhad welcomed their son via surrogate on June 19, 2023.
“We want to say thank you for this incredible gift you have given us, Alexandra,” she said, referencing their surrogate, who was pregnant alongside Teigen for a time. “And we are so happy to tell the world he is here, with a name forever connected to you, Wren Alexander Stephens.”
“Our hearts, and our home, are officially full. And to our Jack, we know both their angel kisses are from you,” she added, paying tribute to their son Jack, who she lost at 20 weeks gestation in 2020.
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Paris Hilton & Carter Reum
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
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Anthony Rapp & Ken Ithiphol
Anthony Rapp/Instagram
“Ken and I are thrilled to share thatour family has grown!” Rapp startedin the caption.
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Jesse Tyler Ferguson & Justin Mikita
Jeff Kravitz/AMA2017/FilmMagic
It’s (another) boy forJesse Tyler Fergusonand his husbandJustin Mikita!
Ferguson announced the news on Instagram along with an adorable set of images as he let fans know why he wouldn’t be appearing in his Broadway playTake Me Out.
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Adrienne Bailon & Israel Houghton
Adrienne Eliza Houghton/Instagram
06of 47Rebel WilsonDave Benett/Getty; Rebel Wilson/instagramIn announcing the surprisearrival of daughter Royce Lillianin November 2022,Rebel Wilsonthanked “my gorgeous surrogate who carried her and birthed her with such grace and care. Thank you for helping me start my own family, it’s an amazing gift. The BEST gift!!”
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Rebel Wilson
Dave Benett/Getty; Rebel Wilson/instagram
In announcing the surprisearrival of daughter Royce Lillianin November 2022,Rebel Wilsonthanked “my gorgeous surrogate who carried her and birthed her with such grace and care. Thank you for helping me start my own family, it’s an amazing gift. The BEST gift!!”
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Khloé Kardashian & Tristan Thompson
Khloé Kardashian and Tristan Thompson with True.Tristan Thompson/Instagram
Though they’re no longer together, the parents to 4-year-old True confirmed in July 2022they were expectinga second child via surrogate.
“We can confirm True will have a sibling who was conceived in November,” Kardashian’s rep told PEOPLE. “Khloé is incredibly grateful to the extraordinary surrogate for such a beautiful blessing.”
The source also added that Khloé “doesn’t see herself as a single mom.”
“She has a great support system with a lot of help. She feels very lucky,” said the insider.
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Andy Cohen
Andy Cohen/Instagram
On a December 2018 episode of Bravo’sWatch What Happens Live, the executive producer and host revealed he was expecting his first child via surrogate.
On Feb. 4, 2019,he shared the happy newsof son Benjamin Allen’s arrival. “I’m in love,” he wrote on Instagram alongside a blissful shot.
Three years later, he welcomed his second child, daughter Lucy, also via surrogate, expressing his gratitude on Instagram.
09of 47Anderson CooperAnderson Cooper and son Wyatt.Anderson Cooper/instagramCooperwelcomed his son, Wyatt(right) — who is named after the journalist’s father — on April 27, 2020 via surrogate.Wyatt weighed 7.2 lbs. at birth, “and he is sweet, and soft, and healthy and I am beyond happy,” the proud new dad said in his emotional announcement on CNN following his little boy’s arrival.Cooperwrote on Instagramalongside a series of sweet photos of his son, “As a gay kid, I never thought it would be possible to have a child, and I’m grateful for all those who have paved the way, and for the doctors and nurses and everyone involved in my son’s birth,” he wrote. “Most of all, I am grateful to a remarkable surrogate who carried Wyatt, and watched over him lovingly, and tenderly, and gave birth to him.““It is an extraordinary blessing — what she, and all surrogates give to families who can’t have children,” he said. “My surrogate has a beautiful family of her own, a wonderfully supportive husband, and kids, and I am incredibly thankful for all the support they have given Wyatt and me. My family is blessed to have this family in our lives.“In February 2022, little brother Sebastian arrived via surrogate as well.
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Anderson Cooper
Anderson Cooper and son Wyatt.Anderson Cooper/instagram
Cooperwelcomed his son, Wyatt(right) — who is named after the journalist’s father — on April 27, 2020 via surrogate.
Wyatt weighed 7.2 lbs. at birth, “and he is sweet, and soft, and healthy and I am beyond happy,” the proud new dad said in his emotional announcement on CNN following his little boy’s arrival.
Cooperwrote on Instagramalongside a series of sweet photos of his son, “As a gay kid, I never thought it would be possible to have a child, and I’m grateful for all those who have paved the way, and for the doctors and nurses and everyone involved in my son’s birth,” he wrote. “Most of all, I am grateful to a remarkable surrogate who carried Wyatt, and watched over him lovingly, and tenderly, and gave birth to him.”
“It is an extraordinary blessing — what she, and all surrogates give to families who can’t have children,” he said. “My surrogate has a beautiful family of her own, a wonderfully supportive husband, and kids, and I am incredibly thankful for all the support they have given Wyatt and me. My family is blessed to have this family in our lives.”
In February 2022, little brother Sebastian arrived via surrogate as well.
10of 47Priyanka Chopra & Nick Jonasnick jonas/ instagramThe couple shared their happy surprise — the arrival daughter Malti! —on Jan. 21, 2022.The pair frequently spoke of their desire to have kids, with Chopra once telling PEOPLE, “When the time is right, it will happen.”
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Priyanka Chopra & Nick Jonas
nick jonas/ instagram
The couple shared their happy surprise — the arrival daughter Malti! —on Jan. 21, 2022.
The pair frequently spoke of their desire to have kids, with Chopra once telling PEOPLE, “When the time is right, it will happen.”
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Jamie Chung & Bryan Greenberg
Jamie Chung/Instagram
The pair surprised fans with news of their twins' arrival inOctober 2021.
“It was more of a happy accident,“Chung told PEOPLEof the private pregnancy. “I think there’s certain things that we want to keep to ourselves and enjoy and keep somewhat private, but also we don’t want to overthink about what we share.”
12of 47Alec & Hilaria BaldwinHilaria Baldwin/Instagram. Inset: Taylor Hill/WireImageIn March 2021, the Baldwins surprised fans when they announced the addition of newborn daughter Maria Lucia to their family, just months after Hilaria gave birth to sonEduardo “Edu” Pao Lucasin September 2020. The Internet quickly went abuzz with questions about why the pair opted for surrogacy and why they did so given Hilaria would have already been pregnant with Edu at the time.However,a source told PEOPLE, “It’s no one’s business about a woman’s right to choose how and when she expands her family.”
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Alec & Hilaria Baldwin
Hilaria Baldwin/Instagram. Inset: Taylor Hill/WireImage
In March 2021, the Baldwins surprised fans when they announced the addition of newborn daughter Maria Lucia to their family, just months after Hilaria gave birth to sonEduardo “Edu” Pao Lucasin September 2020. The Internet quickly went abuzz with questions about why the pair opted for surrogacy and why they did so given Hilaria would have already been pregnant with Edu at the time.
However,a source told PEOPLE, “It’s no one’s business about a woman’s right to choose how and when she expands her family.”
13of 47Kristen Wiig & Avi RothmanKristen Wiig and Avi Rothman.Jared Siskin/Getty ImagesThecouple welcomed twinsin early 2020 via a surrogate, a source told PEOPLE in June 2020. A rep for Wiig did not comment.PEOPLE confirmed in August 2019 thatWiig was engaged to Rothman. The two were first spotted on vacation in Kauai, Hawaii, holding hands and kissing in May 2016. At the time, a source told PEOPLE, “They’ve been secretly dating for a few months,” adding that, “They’re really happy together.“In 2021, Wiig confirmedthe pair had since married.
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Kristen Wiig & Avi Rothman
Kristen Wiig and Avi Rothman.Jared Siskin/Getty Images
Thecouple welcomed twinsin early 2020 via a surrogate, a source told PEOPLE in June 2020. A rep for Wiig did not comment.
PEOPLE confirmed in August 2019 thatWiig was engaged to Rothman. The two were first spotted on vacation in Kauai, Hawaii, holding hands and kissing in May 2016. At the time, a source told PEOPLE, “They’ve been secretly dating for a few months,” adding that, “They’re really happy together.”
In 2021, Wiig confirmedthe pair had since married.
14of 47Kandi Burruss & Todd TuckerKandi Burruss InstagramTheReal Housewives of Atlantastars enlisted the help of a surrogate towelcome daughter Blazeinto the world on Nov. 22, 2019. Although it was initially a “tough decision” for the couple, they now say that they “wouldn’t change a thing.““We were just trying to figure out like, okay, should we do this? How can you trust somebody with your most precious possession, your most precious gift … somebody that you barely know?” Burruss said in an episode ofParentsmagazine’sWe Are Familypodcast.“But now that it’s all said and done, I wouldn’t change a thing. It was the best decision that we could have made,” she added.The mother of three — who also shares sonAce Wellswith Tucker, and is mom to daughter Riley — said that her surrogate, Shadina, had carried for another family before, and soshe “was really teaching” them “a lot of things” about the process.“Once I got comfortable, then I started really appreciating the fact that [Shadina] was doing the heavy lifting,” she said.For anyone elseconsidering in vitro fertilizationand/or surrogacy, Burruss advised, “I would definitely say go forward. The research is the main thing. And then you just gotta trust and believe and just go for it.”
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Kandi Burruss & Todd Tucker
Kandi Burruss Instagram
TheReal Housewives of Atlantastars enlisted the help of a surrogate towelcome daughter Blazeinto the world on Nov. 22, 2019. Although it was initially a “tough decision” for the couple, they now say that they “wouldn’t change a thing.”
“We were just trying to figure out like, okay, should we do this? How can you trust somebody with your most precious possession, your most precious gift … somebody that you barely know?” Burruss said in an episode ofParentsmagazine’sWe Are Familypodcast.
“But now that it’s all said and done, I wouldn’t change a thing. It was the best decision that we could have made,” she added.
The mother of three — who also shares sonAce Wellswith Tucker, and is mom to daughter Riley — said that her surrogate, Shadina, had carried for another family before, and soshe “was really teaching” them “a lot of things” about the process.
“Once I got comfortable, then I started really appreciating the fact that [Shadina] was doing the heavy lifting,” she said.
For anyone elseconsidering in vitro fertilizationand/or surrogacy, Burruss advised, “I would definitely say go forward. The research is the main thing. And then you just gotta trust and believe and just go for it.”
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Kanye West & Kim Kardashian
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West with their children.Kim Kardashian/Instagram
“We are incrediblygrateful to our surrogatewho made our dreams come true with the greatest gift one could give and to our wonderful doctors and nurses for their special care,” the reality starwrote on her websiteafter the January 2018 birth of daughter Chicago.
Giving birth again isn’t an option for Kardashian West, whosuffered from placenta accretaduring both of her pregnancies with sonSaintand daughterNorth.
Son Psalm completed the family in May 2019.
16of 47Gabrielle Union & Dwyane WayneGabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade with daughter Kaavia.Gabrielle Union/InstagramThe actress and her NBA star husbandwelcomed their first childtogether, daughter Kaavia James, via surrogate on Nov. 7, 2018. The coupleshared family photos in the hospital on Instagram.Wade is also dad to kids Xavier, Zaya and Zaire from a previous marriage. He also raises nephew Dahveon Morris.In an interview, Union opened up about surrogacy, saying she felt she was “surrendering to failure” after years of fertility treatments and losses. But once she came to terms with it, she embraced the process, even being careful to select asurrogate who loved to read— a trait she hopes to see in her daughter someday.
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Gabrielle Union & Dwyane Wayne
Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade with daughter Kaavia.Gabrielle Union/Instagram
The actress and her NBA star husbandwelcomed their first childtogether, daughter Kaavia James, via surrogate on Nov. 7, 2018. The coupleshared family photos in the hospital on Instagram.
Wade is also dad to kids Xavier, Zaya and Zaire from a previous marriage. He also raises nephew Dahveon Morris.
In an interview, Union opened up about surrogacy, saying she felt she was “surrendering to failure” after years of fertility treatments and losses. But once she came to terms with it, she embraced the process, even being careful to select asurrogate who loved to read— a trait she hopes to see in her daughter someday.
17of 47Zach Gilford & Kiele SanchezMichael Tran/FilmMagicAfter several attempts to start a family, which also included a late-term miscarriage in 2015, the formerFriday Night Lightsactor and his wife,Kingdomactress Sanchez,welcomed daughter Zeppelin Adelevia surrogate in November 2017. “It’s been a long, painful journey for us,” the couple shared with PEOPLE. “Zeppelin is the light of our lives.”
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Zach Gilford & Kiele Sanchez
Michael Tran/FilmMagic
After several attempts to start a family, which also included a late-term miscarriage in 2015, the formerFriday Night Lightsactor and his wife,Kingdomactress Sanchez,welcomed daughter Zeppelin Adelevia surrogate in November 2017. “It’s been a long, painful journey for us,” the couple shared with PEOPLE. “Zeppelin is the light of our lives.”
18of 47Fredrik Eklund & Derek KaplanFredrik Eklund/InstagramMillion Dollar Listing NewYorkreal estate brokerEklundand his husband Kaplan were over the moon abouttwins Milla and Fredrik Jr., whom they welcomed on Nov. 28, 2017, after their surrogate suffered multiple miscarriages previously.“It’s the biggest thing that could ever happen to us,” Eklundtold PEOPLE exclusivelyafter announcing the babies on the way duringMLDNY’s season 6 finale. “It’s a boy and a girl, and it’s just beyond.“Of learning the exciting news in April while celebrating Eklund’s 40th birthday in Paris, “That was probably the biggest moment of my life,” he added. “I felt like it was meant to be, which is hard for me to say becauseit’s been so difficult.”
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Fredrik Eklund & Derek Kaplan
Fredrik Eklund/Instagram
Million Dollar Listing NewYorkreal estate brokerEklundand his husband Kaplan were over the moon abouttwins Milla and Fredrik Jr., whom they welcomed on Nov. 28, 2017, after their surrogate suffered multiple miscarriages previously.
“It’s the biggest thing that could ever happen to us,” Eklundtold PEOPLE exclusivelyafter announcing the babies on the way duringMLDNY’s season 6 finale. “It’s a boy and a girl, and it’s just beyond.”
Of learning the exciting news in April while celebrating Eklund’s 40th birthday in Paris, “That was probably the biggest moment of my life,” he added. “I felt like it was meant to be, which is hard for me to say becauseit’s been so difficult.”
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Shaun T & Scott Blokker
Shaun T/Instagram
“Ashley, her husband Michael and their children are such selfless people and no words can describe our appreciationfor them helping usbuild our family!” Shaun T captioned asweet photo galleryof the meet-up moment.
“You are courageous, strong, empowered, driven, powerful, dedicated, and such an amazing human! SO THANK YOU forbeing everything we neededand more,” he added.
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Sarah Jessica Parker & Matthew Broderick
Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic
“I’ve had a lot of opportunities to do the things that I wanted to do, like sleep,” Parker told Vogue in 2011 of becoming a mom a little later in life.
21of 47Neil Patrick Harris & David BurtkaSource: Neil Patrick Harris/InstagramNeil Patrick Harrisand David Burtka’s twins — Gideon Scott and Harper Grace — arrived via help from an egg donor and a surrogate.“We found an egg donor anonymously through a hilarious process of looking at people’s profiles and then an amazing surrogate who had helped a same-sex couple before,” Harristold PEOPLE in 2011.“And then we inserted two eggs, one with my sperm, one with David’s sperm and they both took,” he said, with Burtka adding that the couple “don’t know whose is whose.”
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Neil Patrick Harris & David Burtka
Source: Neil Patrick Harris/Instagram
Neil Patrick Harrisand David Burtka’s twins — Gideon Scott and Harper Grace — arrived via help from an egg donor and a surrogate.
“We found an egg donor anonymously through a hilarious process of looking at people’s profiles and then an amazing surrogate who had helped a same-sex couple before,” Harristold PEOPLE in 2011.
“And then we inserted two eggs, one with my sperm, one with David’s sperm and they both took,” he said, with Burtka adding that the couple “don’t know whose is whose.”
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Jimmy Fallon & Nancy Juvonen
Gerardo Mora/Getty
“We tried before, we told people and it didn’t happen. It’s just really depressing and hard,“Fallon— now dad to Frances Cole and Winnie Rose both born via surrogate — said in 2013 shortly after Winnie’s birth.
23of 47Jordana Brewster & Andrew FormJB Lacroix/WireImageBothJordana Brewster’s sons — Rowanand Julian — were born to the actress and now-ex-husbandAndrew Formvia surrogate.“Sometimes I feel a little left out when other moms talk about what their birth experience was like, and I feel the loss of not having carried or having been able to carry,“she told Yahoo Parentingin 2015.“But luckily I keep my circle tight and close, so I never feel judged,” added theFurious 7star.
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Jordana Brewster & Andrew Form
JB Lacroix/WireImage
BothJordana Brewster’s sons — Rowanand Julian — were born to the actress and now-ex-husbandAndrew Formvia surrogate.
“Sometimes I feel a little left out when other moms talk about what their birth experience was like, and I feel the loss of not having carried or having been able to carry,“she told Yahoo Parentingin 2015.
“But luckily I keep my circle tight and close, so I never feel judged,” added theFurious 7star.
24of 47Dennis & Kimberly QuaidCourtesy Knott’s Berry Farm"God has definitely blessed us,“Quaidsaid in a statement after a surrogate gave birth to his twins Thomas Boone and Zoe Grace with ex Kimberly in November 2007.
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Dennis & Kimberly Quaid
Courtesy Knott’s Berry Farm
“God has definitely blessed us,“Quaidsaid in a statement after a surrogate gave birth to his twins Thomas Boone and Zoe Grace with ex Kimberly in November 2007.
25of 47Matt Bomer & Simon HallsCourtesy Uplift Family ServicesBomer’s three sons with publicist husbandHallswere all welcomed with the help of a surrogate.“I just want to be hopefully somebody whohelps shape these soulswithout changing how they came into the world,” Bomertold PEOPLE in 2014of twins Henry and Walker and big bro Kit.
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Matt Bomer & Simon Halls
Courtesy Uplift Family Services
Bomer’s three sons with publicist husbandHallswere all welcomed with the help of a surrogate.
“I just want to be hopefully somebody whohelps shape these soulswithout changing how they came into the world,” Bomertold PEOPLE in 2014of twins Henry and Walker and big bro Kit.
26of 47Kelsey & Camille GrammerRodin Eckenroth/GettyFrasieralumnusGrammeris dad to seven children total, with two of them — son Jude Gordon and daughter Mason Olivia — born via surrogate.“I wish I could have had that experience. I’m just so grateful I had a wonderful surrogate who carried our two children,” Grammer’s ex-wifeCamillewrote ina 2012 blog.“I have two amazing angels in my life that I love so much,” she added. “They are such a gift and a blessing from God.”
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Kelsey & Camille Grammer
Rodin Eckenroth/Getty
FrasieralumnusGrammeris dad to seven children total, with two of them — son Jude Gordon and daughter Mason Olivia — born via surrogate.
“I wish I could have had that experience. I’m just so grateful I had a wonderful surrogate who carried our two children,” Grammer’s ex-wifeCamillewrote ina 2012 blog.
“I have two amazing angels in my life that I love so much,” she added. “They are such a gift and a blessing from God.”
27of 47Nate Berkus & Jeremiah BrentFrom left: Jeremiah Brent, Nate Berkus and their children Poppy and Oskar.Christopher Dibble PhotographyDesign gurusBerkusandJeremiah Brentenlisted the help of a surrogate to bring daughter Poppyinto their lives.“Surrogacy can be about science, it can be about money or it can be about intention,” Berkus told PEOPLE in 2015 shortly after their daughter’s birth.He added, “We were really lucky to have everybody that was involved in allowing us to have our daughter be excited for us.“In 2018 they welcomed a second child,son Oskar, via surrogate.
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Nate Berkus & Jeremiah Brent
From left: Jeremiah Brent, Nate Berkus and their children Poppy and Oskar.Christopher Dibble Photography
Design gurusBerkusandJeremiah Brentenlisted the help of a surrogate to bring daughter Poppyinto their lives.
“Surrogacy can be about science, it can be about money or it can be about intention,” Berkus told PEOPLE in 2015 shortly after their daughter’s birth.
He added, “We were really lucky to have everybody that was involved in allowing us to have our daughter be excited for us.”
In 2018 they welcomed a second child,son Oskar, via surrogate.
28of 47Michael JacksonSamir Hussein/WireImageLate King of PopJackson’s youngest childPrince Michael II(nicknamed “Blanket”) was born to an unidentified surrogate in February 2002.“The kids live like Michael is constantly looking down upon them,” a family friendtold PEOPLEof Blanket (who changed his name to Bigi in 2015) and his older siblings:Paris Michaeland Michael Joseph Jr. “Prince.”
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Michael Jackson
Samir Hussein/WireImage
Late King of PopJackson’s youngest childPrince Michael II(nicknamed “Blanket”) was born to an unidentified surrogate in February 2002.
“The kids live like Michael is constantly looking down upon them,” a family friendtold PEOPLEof Blanket (who changed his name to Bigi in 2015) and his older siblings:Paris Michaeland Michael Joseph Jr. “Prince.”
29of 47Tyra BanksSource: Tyra Banks Instagram; Art Streiber/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty ImagesBeauty entrepreneur and former supermodelBankswelcomed son York in January 2016 via gestational surrogate, telling PEOPLE exclusively at the time that “the journey to now has not been an easy process.““As I gaze into the beautiful eyes of my son, I think about all the people who struggle with fertility or carrying a child and continue to pray for them every day,” she added.
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Tyra Banks
Source: Tyra Banks Instagram; Art Streiber/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
Beauty entrepreneur and former supermodelBankswelcomed son York in January 2016 via gestational surrogate, telling PEOPLE exclusively at the time that “the journey to now has not been an easy process.”
“As I gaze into the beautiful eyes of my son, I think about all the people who struggle with fertility or carrying a child and continue to pray for them every day,” she added.
30of 47Elton John & David Furnish"We decided to go the surrogacy route and have children of our own. The dominoes fell very quickly,“Johnsaid inan October 2016 interviewof himself and his husband Furnish after the couple initially tried to adopt.“It was only through fate, really,” John added of becoming a dad through son Zachary Jackson Levon and Elijah Joseph Daniel (both boys were born to the same surrogate).
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Elton John & David Furnish
“We decided to go the surrogacy route and have children of our own. The dominoes fell very quickly,“Johnsaid inan October 2016 interviewof himself and his husband Furnish after the couple initially tried to adopt.
“It was only through fate, really,” John added of becoming a dad through son Zachary Jackson Levon and Elijah Joseph Daniel (both boys were born to the same surrogate).
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Amy Smart & Carter Oosterhouse
Source: Amy Smart Instagram
ActressSmartand her husband Oosterhouse became first-time parents to daughter Flora in December 2016.
32of 47Angela Bassett & Courtney B. VacneTibrina Hobson/FilmMagicTwins Slater Josiah and Bronwyn Golden came into the world in January 2006, born via surrogate to actor spouses Bassett and Vance.“I was devastated when it didn’t happen [again and again],” Bassett said on Oprah in 2007 of the couple’s years of failed fertility treatments, including in vitro fertilization.“The more we learned about [surrogacy], the more we began to think that perhaps this was an answer for us,” she added.
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Angela Bassett & Courtney B. Vacne
Tibrina Hobson/FilmMagic
Twins Slater Josiah and Bronwyn Golden came into the world in January 2006, born via surrogate to actor spouses Bassett and Vance.
“I was devastated when it didn’t happen [again and again],” Bassett said on Oprah in 2007 of the couple’s years of failed fertility treatments, including in vitro fertilization.
“The more we learned about [surrogacy], the more we began to think that perhaps this was an answer for us,” she added.
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Chris & Deanna Daughtry
Source: Chris Daughtry Instagram
RockerDaughtryand wife Deanna became parents to twins Adalynn Rose and Noah James in November 2010. Deanna had undergone a partial hysterectomy, so the couple used in vitro fertilization to conceive the twins before transferring the embryos to a surrogate carrier.
34of 47Elizabeth Banks & Max HandelmanSource: Elizabeth Banks Instagram; Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesMagnus Mitchell and Felixwere both born via surrogate afterBanksand husbandHandelmantook “a big leap” of faith.“This experience has exceeded all expectations, taught us a great deal about generosity and gratitude, and established a relationship that will last a lifetime,” Banks said of the surrogacy process following Magnus' birth.
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Elizabeth Banks & Max Handelman
Source: Elizabeth Banks Instagram; Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Magnus Mitchell and Felixwere both born via surrogate afterBanksand husbandHandelmantook “a big leap” of faith.
“This experience has exceeded all expectations, taught us a great deal about generosity and gratitude, and established a relationship that will last a lifetime,” Banks said of the surrogacy process following Magnus' birth.
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Ricky Martin & Jwan Yosef
Jwan Yosef, Ricky Martin and twins in September 2019.Paul Morigi/Getty
Martinis dad to twin boys Matteo and Valentino, born to a surrogate in August 2008.
“Adoption was one option, but it’s complicated and can take a long time,” the singer, married to Yosef since 2017, told PEOPLE that December.
36of 47Ellen Pompeo & Chris IveryMichael Rozman/Warner Bros.Pompeo— mom to sonEli Christopherand daughters Sienna May and Stella Luna with husband Ivery — used a surrogate for Sienna (she has not commented about Eli).“It’s important to protect the privacy of the surrogate, but don’t forget, I am the same girl whohad the mayor of New York City marry meand it didn’t get out for five days,” Pompeojoked in 2014after announcing her younger daughter’s arrival. “I’m good at that!”
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Ellen Pompeo & Chris Ivery
Michael Rozman/Warner Bros.
Pompeo— mom to sonEli Christopherand daughters Sienna May and Stella Luna with husband Ivery — used a surrogate for Sienna (she has not commented about Eli).
“It’s important to protect the privacy of the surrogate, but don’t forget, I am the same girl whohad the mayor of New York City marry meand it didn’t get out for five days,” Pompeojoked in 2014after announcing her younger daughter’s arrival. “I’m good at that!”
37of 47George Lucas & Mellody HobsonBarry King/WireImageStar WarsmastermindLucasand wifeHobsonwelcomed their daughter Everest in August 2013 via gestational surrogate.Lucas has three adult children through adoption: Jett, Katie and Amanda.
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George Lucas & Mellody Hobson
Barry King/WireImage
Star WarsmastermindLucasand wifeHobsonwelcomed their daughter Everest in August 2013 via gestational surrogate.
Lucas has three adult children through adoption: Jett, Katie and Amanda.
38of 47Bill & Giuliana RancicSource: Giuliana Rancic InstagramAfter struggling with infertility, miscarriage and breast cancer, the Rancics welcomed their son Edward Duke in August 2012.“I love that she was honest,” Giuliana told PEOPLE in 2012 about her surrogate.“It made me realize that the important stuff is what I should be listening for, and that’s when I knew she was the one.”
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Bill & Giuliana Rancic
Source: Giuliana Rancic Instagram
After struggling with infertility, miscarriage and breast cancer, the Rancics welcomed their son Edward Duke in August 2012.
“I love that she was honest,” Giuliana told PEOPLE in 2012 about her surrogate.
“It made me realize that the important stuff is what I should be listening for, and that’s when I knew she was the one.”
39of 47GloZell Green & Kevin SimonSource: Glozell Instagram; Araya Diaz/Getty Images for Path2ParenthoodGreen and husband Simon are parents to daughter O’Zell Gloriana De, whom surrogate Shawna Johnson gave birth to in August 2016.“To say, ‘What Shawna is doing for us is the greatest gift,’ is an understatement,” Green told PEOPLE at the time. “She truly is an angel in our lives andwe will be forever gratefulto her for her generosity toward us.“Sadly in early 2017, the YouTube personality shared that Johnson wasgoing to miscarrythe couple’s second child.
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GloZell Green & Kevin Simon
Source: Glozell Instagram; Araya Diaz/Getty Images for Path2Parenthood
Green and husband Simon are parents to daughter O’Zell Gloriana De, whom surrogate Shawna Johnson gave birth to in August 2016.
“To say, ‘What Shawna is doing for us is the greatest gift,’ is an understatement,” Green told PEOPLE at the time. “She truly is an angel in our lives andwe will be forever gratefulto her for her generosity toward us.”
Sadly in early 2017, the YouTube personality shared that Johnson wasgoing to miscarrythe couple’s second child.
40of 47Joey Gonzalez & Jonathan RolloJonathan Rollo/InstagramBarry’s BootcampCEO Gonzalez and husband Rollo became fathers in December 2015, when daughter Francesca Isabella was born to their surrogate Dayna.“I love Jon and Joey. When I think about giving birth and placing her in their arms, that’s what it’s all about for me — their joy, their emotions,“Dayna told PEOPLEearlier that year. “That’s what’s going to get me to the end.“In April 2017, Dayna delivered the couple’s second child, son Jake Stone.
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Joey Gonzalez & Jonathan Rollo
Jonathan Rollo/Instagram
Barry’s BootcampCEO Gonzalez and husband Rollo became fathers in December 2015, when daughter Francesca Isabella was born to their surrogate Dayna.
“I love Jon and Joey. When I think about giving birth and placing her in their arms, that’s what it’s all about for me — their joy, their emotions,“Dayna told PEOPLEearlier that year. “That’s what’s going to get me to the end.”
In April 2017, Dayna delivered the couple’s second child, son Jake Stone.
41of 47Katey Sagal & Kurt SutterFormerMarried…with ChildrenstarSagalcalls daughter Esmé Louise a “beautiful miracle.““We went through the whole in vitro fertilization process and our embryos were not really strong, but we thought, ‘Let’s give it a shot and if it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be,’ " the actress — who is also mom to adult kids Jackson and Sarah —told PEOPLE of having a child later in life with her fourth husband.
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Katey Sagal & Kurt Sutter
FormerMarried…with ChildrenstarSagalcalls daughter Esmé Louise a “beautiful miracle.”
“We went through the whole in vitro fertilization process and our embryos were not really strong, but we thought, ‘Let’s give it a shot and if it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be,’ " the actress — who is also mom to adult kids Jackson and Sarah —told PEOPLE of having a child later in life with her fourth husband.
42of 47Nicole Kidman & Keith UrbanSource: Keith Urban Instagram; David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty ImagesCountry starUrbanand his Oscar-winning actress wifeKidmanhave two daughters together: Sunday Rose, whom Kidman delivered, and Faith Margaret, who was born to a surrogate.“I would have liked probably two or three more children,” Kidman once said (she is also mom to Isabella and Connorwhom she adopted with ex-husbandTom Cruise).“I love, love children. I love raising children … they make me feel good and I love being around and I love the ups and downs, and I love watching them grow and the things they say and teach,” she added.
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Nicole Kidman & Keith Urban
Source: Keith Urban Instagram; David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images
Country starUrbanand his Oscar-winning actress wifeKidmanhave two daughters together: Sunday Rose, whom Kidman delivered, and Faith Margaret, who was born to a surrogate.
“I would have liked probably two or three more children,” Kidman once said (she is also mom to Isabella and Connorwhom she adopted with ex-husbandTom Cruise).
“I love, love children. I love raising children … they make me feel good and I love being around and I love the ups and downs, and I love watching them grow and the things they say and teach,” she added.
43of 47Tom Ford & Richard BuckleyRabbani and Solimene Photography/WireImage"If I have a child, you won’t notice that I had a child. Maybe you’ll see it when it’s 18, but I will keep it out of the spotlight,” designerFordtoldTime Out Hong Kongin 2011 — the year before he and husbandBuckley(who died in 2021) welcomed their son Alexander John reportedly via surrogate.
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Tom Ford & Richard Buckley
Rabbani and Solimene Photography/WireImage
“If I have a child, you won’t notice that I had a child. Maybe you’ll see it when it’s 18, but I will keep it out of the spotlight,” designerFordtoldTime Out Hong Kongin 2011 — the year before he and husbandBuckley(who died in 2021) welcomed their son Alexander John reportedly via surrogate.
44of 47Lucy Liu"It just seemed like the right option for me because I was working and I didn’t know when I was going to be able to stop,“ElementaryactressLiutold PEOPLE in 2016 of why she chose a surrogate to carry son Rockwell Lloyd.“I decided that was probably the best solution for me, and it turned out to be great,” explained the single mom.
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Lucy Liu
“It just seemed like the right option for me because I was working and I didn’t know when I was going to be able to stop,“ElementaryactressLiutold PEOPLE in 2016 of why she chose a surrogate to carry son Rockwell Lloyd.
“I decided that was probably the best solution for me, and it turned out to be great,” explained the single mom.
45of 47Robert De NiroBruce Glikas/FilmMagicHollywood vetDe Nirois a dad of six, with half of his children — daughterHelen Graceand twin sons Julian Henry and Aaron Kendrick — born to surrogates.
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Robert De Niro
Hollywood vetDe Nirois a dad of six, with half of his children — daughterHelen Graceand twin sons Julian Henry and Aaron Kendrick — born to surrogates.
46of 47Ryan Murphy & David MillerSource: Ryan Murphy Twitter; Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagicTelevision screenwriter, producer and directorMurphyand his husbandMillerare parents to three sons, Ford, Logan and Griffin, all born via surrogate.“It’s amazing to be two dads and we have a wonderful surrogate,” MurphytoldE! Newsin 2014. “It’s so uplifting and I’ve enjoyed sharing our story with young gay families.”
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Ryan Murphy & David Miller
Source: Ryan Murphy Twitter; Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Television screenwriter, producer and directorMurphyand his husbandMillerare parents to three sons, Ford, Logan and Griffin, all born via surrogate.
“It’s amazing to be two dads and we have a wonderful surrogate,” MurphytoldE! Newsin 2014. “It’s so uplifting and I’ve enjoyed sharing our story with young gay families.”
47of 47Shayne Lamas & Nik RichieSource: Shayne Lamas InstagramThe Bachelorseason 12 winner Lamas gave birth to her and husband Richie’s daughter Press Dahl, but used in vitro fertilization and a very special surrogate for their son Lyon: her stepmother.“I was shocked that my dad was on board with this, to be 100 percent honest,“Lamas toldCloser Weeklyin 2015 (the former reality starhad suffered a scary miscarriagethe previous year). “But I’ll always be grateful.”
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Shayne Lamas & Nik Richie
Source: Shayne Lamas Instagram
The Bachelorseason 12 winner Lamas gave birth to her and husband Richie’s daughter Press Dahl, but used in vitro fertilization and a very special surrogate for their son Lyon: her stepmother.
“I was shocked that my dad was on board with this, to be 100 percent honest,“Lamas toldCloser Weeklyin 2015 (the former reality starhad suffered a scary miscarriagethe previous year). “But I’ll always be grateful.”
source: people.com
