Gransnet forums

AIBU

Famous people adopting children.

(50 Posts)
MayBee70 Mon 08-Dec-25 18:24:03

There has been a lot of publicity recently about the actress from Stranger things getting married and then adopting a baby ( or might even be two babies?). She’s really young, too. And it got me thinking about other famous people that have adopted children. The Burtons did; and the Pitts ( although I think Angelina might have adopted them prior to marrying Brad). Also Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise. I don’t know much about it but I think there is quite a strict selection process when it comes to being allowed to adopt a child. And yet famous people seem to adopt quite frequently. And then get divorced. I worry about the children.

GrannyGravy13 Mon 08-Dec-25 18:35:40

Being famous or not, there is no guarantee that if married it will last forever.

As for the adoption process it is extremely rigorous and in-depth here in the U.K. and can take several years.

No idea of the adoption process in the USA.

MayBee70 Mon 08-Dec-25 18:43:09

But famous people do seem to get divorced more than non famous people. I agree it can happen to anyone. It happened to me and everyone was shocked by it ( me included!). Maybe famous people adopting children has bothered me ever since reading Mommie Dearest years ago and it has been something that niggles away at the back of my mind; MBB is, I think, only 21 herself and newly married so adopting a child ( or two) so quickly seems wrong to me. Yes, it does seem to be an American thing.

mokryna Mon 08-Dec-25 18:51:03

Maybe the Americans are a bit more laxed over choosing adopting parents and wealth could play a bigger part.

GrannyGravy13 Mon 08-Dec-25 18:57:04

MBB has had hearing problems from birth, she is now totally deaf in one ear and wears a hearing aid in the other. Perhaps it’s inherited, and she doesn’t want to pass it on 🤷‍♀️

BlueBelle Mon 08-Dec-25 18:58:16

I always admired Lenny Henry and DawnFrench as their adopted daughter was never photographed or written about even today as an adult I ve never see anything about her
Woody Allen had some bad publicity about his adopted child didn’t he ?
Who s MBB ?

MayBee70 Mon 08-Dec-25 19:01:38

Millie Bobby Brown

GrannyGravy13 Mon 08-Dec-25 19:01:55

Millie Bobbie Brown, an actor who is married to Jake Bon Jovi (son of Jon Bon Jovi, rock star idol 💙)

MayBee70 Mon 08-Dec-25 19:03:03

GrannyGravy13

MBB has had hearing problems from birth, she is now totally deaf in one ear and wears a hearing aid in the other. Perhaps it’s inherited, and she doesn’t want to pass it on 🤷‍♀️

I didn’t know that. Thanks. It still seems a bit soon into a new marriage to adopt a child, though.

BlueBelle Mon 08-Dec-25 19:04:07

Oh well thanks for a name ….no further forward 🤣🤣🤣

BridgetPark Mon 08-Dec-25 19:05:55

Julie Andrews adopted some children back in the day, very successfully as I recall. And yes MBB seems quite young but is very happy to have a baby. Have to wish them lots of luck, it's tough raising children, sure we all know that!!

MayBee70 Mon 08-Dec-25 19:08:10

I think all the publicity is because it’s the final series of Stranger Things ( I only ever saw series one). I don’t mean to be unfair by singling her out. It’s something that has bothered me for years ( decades even).

Lathyrus3 Mon 08-Dec-25 19:16:50

Medical care is s expensive in America that private adoption is often seen as the only way to cover medical and living expenses throughout the pregnancy and afterwards.

Expectant mother’s are able to choose the adoptive family for their baby, so the wealthier, like movie stars find it easier to come to the fore as adoptive parents because they can offer an easier and healthier pregnancy and birth to the mother.

Primrose53 Mon 08-Dec-25 19:42:35

Pru Leith adopted a daughter.

Galaxy Mon 08-Dec-25 19:45:26

Don't apologise Maybeegrin I think you are raising a really interesting point.

theworriedwell Mon 08-Dec-25 20:52:03

BlueBelle

I always admired Lenny Henry and DawnFrench as their adopted daughter was never photographed or written about even today as an adult I ve never see anything about her
Woody Allen had some bad publicity about his adopted child didn’t he ?
Who s MBB ?

She was in the papers a few years ago when she had some trouble about a boyfriend. I can't remember the details.

MayBee70 Mon 08-Dec-25 22:46:03

Lathyrus3

Medical care is s expensive in America that private adoption is often seen as the only way to cover medical and living expenses throughout the pregnancy and afterwards.

Expectant mother’s are able to choose the adoptive family for their baby, so the wealthier, like movie stars find it easier to come to the fore as adoptive parents because they can offer an easier and healthier pregnancy and birth to the mother.

Thanks. I didn’t realise that. It’s a bit like surrogacy but without using the adoptive parents sperm or eggs.

sodapop Tue 09-Dec-25 12:23:16

One thing which niggles me is the differentiation between bio children and adopted children. Usually by the media saying X & Y have two children of their own and two adopted children, surely they are all their children. I have seen it on GN as well when someone says they have two adopted grandchildren, why do they need to clarify the situation.?

theworriedwell Tue 09-Dec-25 12:44:22

sodapop

One thing which niggles me is the differentiation between bio children and adopted children. Usually by the media saying X & Y have two children of their own and two adopted children, surely they are all their children. I have seen it on GN as well when someone says they have two adopted grandchildren, why do they need to clarify the situation.?

Good point.

CariadAgain Tue 09-Dec-25 13:06:11

Lathyrus3

Medical care is s expensive in America that private adoption is often seen as the only way to cover medical and living expenses throughout the pregnancy and afterwards.

Expectant mother’s are able to choose the adoptive family for their baby, so the wealthier, like movie stars find it easier to come to the fore as adoptive parents because they can offer an easier and healthier pregnancy and birth to the mother.

Thinks - wonders what the position is re surrogacy - ie the father is a bio parent and the mother used a surrogate to do "her part" of proceedings.

MayBee70 Tue 09-Dec-25 13:17:37

GrannyGravy13

Millie Bobbie Brown, an actor who is married to Jake Bon Jovi (son of Jon Bon Jovi, rock star idol 💙)

And one of the most decent people on this planet. Very family orientated, too. If his son is anything like him then MBB has got herself a good’un and I wish them well.

Lathyrus3 Tue 09-Dec-25 13:41:27

CariadAgain

Lathyrus3

Medical care is s expensive in America that private adoption is often seen as the only way to cover medical and living expenses throughout the pregnancy and afterwards.

Expectant mother’s are able to choose the adoptive family for their baby, so the wealthier, like movie stars find it easier to come to the fore as adoptive parents because they can offer an easier and healthier pregnancy and birth to the mother.

Thinks - wonders what the position is re surrogacy - ie the father is a bio parent and the mother used a surrogate to do "her part" of proceedings.

Well more or less the same in the States.

A surrogate mother will naturally want the best care possible during pregnancy, birth and post natal so she will chose to be surrogate to people that can afford to pay for that.

AuntieE Tue 09-Dec-25 14:19:45

As far as I know the American process for adoption is totally different to any European countries, but that said, we tend only to hear of the "famous" people who adopt. Mr and Mrs X who are unable to have children don't often make the headlines.

Surely, it is better for children who have lost their parents, or whose parents are unable to care for them to be adopted than to be shunted from one foster family to another or grow up in orphanages?

And better for adults who want children but cannot have them themselves to adopt and give these children love, than turn into unhappy, soured people who go through life saying "If only..."

spabbygirl Tue 09-Dec-25 14:37:58

I'm a social worker & have written many, many adoption & fostering reports. It is a long process, despite the previous gov't trying to reduce it that isn't always in the best interests because people need time to think about what the sw has said & consider it. It's often called a Form F assessment because the old British association for adoption & fostering called it that & the name stuck. It's form E for the children. It covers all aspects of a person's life and celebs won't get any let off from that, but different things will be considered, such as the affect on the child of parent's fame, similar for money. during the process the sw discusses with her manager & finally the thing is put in front of a panel of people with specialist knowledge of fostering they finally approve or otherwise. Its easy as a sw to see the best in people & miss other things hence the extra scrutiny, the panel must be independent so there won't be anything like 'I'd better pass these people as I sit next to their social worker. Also, loads of references are taken & finance looked into to ensure they're not in debt that will add to burden. You can read more at:

corambaaf.org.uk/resources/forms-licensing/forms-help-and-support/prospective-foster-carer-report-form-f-resources

Greciangirl Tue 09-Dec-25 15:02:41

Naomi Campbell has apparently adopted two babies at separate intervals.

You never see or hear anything about them.
She always seems to be working and looking glam.
I do wonder how these adopted children fare when their parents are famous.