Celebrities who adopt always seem to be big news. Maybe it’s because they generally choose a child from a country in the developing world and they are moving from a life potentially of abject poverty to a life with all the trappings and advantages of the glitterati. But, whilst the likes of Madonna, Brangelina and Elton John make the headlines for the children they take on, other celebrities have found themselves on the other side of the fence and here are 10 famous people who were adopted.
1. Greg Louganis
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Acknowledged as the best diver in the world and multi Olympic medallist, Greg Louganis is of Samoan-Swedish ancestry. He was adopted when a few months old by a white couple who also adopted another child.
2. Steve Jobs
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One of the most famous people who were adopted is co-founder of Apple, Steve Jobs. He was orphaned when just a baby and was adopted.
3. John Hancock
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The first signatory on the Declaration of Independence was adopted by his Uncle after his father died leaving behind his destitute widow and 2 other children. Thomas Hancock was a wealthy merchant and John grew up to be the wealthiest man in New England in the late 1700’s.
4. Debbie Harry
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She of the blonde hair and band Blondie is another of the famous people who were adopted. Debbie was adopted when she was 3 months old.
5. Ray Liotta
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This great actor who specializes in intense or psychopathic characters was adopted as a baby and grew up in New Jersey.
6. Scott Hamilton
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Another superb sportsman on the list of famous people who were adopted is Scott Hamilton, Gold Medal Olympian Figure Skater. He was adopted by 2 university professors at the age of 6 weeks. They already had a daughter and they adopted another son after Scott.
7. Priscilla Presley
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The former wife of one of the most famous people ever didn’t know that her stepfather had adopted her until she was a teenager. Her birth father, James Wagner, a US Army Lieutenant died in a plane crash when Priscilla was a baby. Her mother remarried another army man, Joseph Beaulieu and they brought Priscilla up in Germany where she met Elvis.
8. Chief Crazy Horse
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One of the greatest Native American leaders was taught all he knew by High Back Bone, a great Sioux warrior who adopted Crazy Horse aka Curly as an adolescent. He had been born to a Brule Sioux mother and a Lakota Sioux father.
9. Faith Daniels
Well known TV news anchor lady and journalist was given up by her mother for adoption because she had conceived due to a rape. No longer on screen, Daniels is an active supporter of the National Council for Adoption.
10. Faith Hill
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Famous country singer Faith has always known she was adopted. Her birth parents were unmarried and passed her on when she was a few days old to Ted and Edna Perry who raised her alongside their two elder boys in Star, Mississippi. Interestingly, Faith’s husband Tim McGraw was adopted but not in the true documentation method sense of the word. He is the result of an affair his mum had with Dad, Tug McGraw, famous relief pitcher for the New York Mets, but his mum married giving Tim the surname Smith. He found out who his real dad was when he was 11.
Interesting how 2 of the women on the list of famous people who were adopted were called Faith by mothers who made a conscious decision to give their babies up for adoption. I don’t think that’s a coincidence. Do you?
Top Photo Credit: IronRodArt - Royce Bair
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which famous celebs were adopted?
- Stars like Angelina Jolie, Steve Jobs, and Marilyn Monroe were adopted.
- Did adoption influence any celebrity's life?
- Many adopted celebs credit adoption for shaping their resilience and identity.
- Are there famous male celebs who were adopted?
- Yes, celebs like Johnny Depp and Tom Cruise were also adopted.
- Did these celebs talk openly about being adopted?
- Several have shared their adoption stories to inspire and support others.
- Can adoption impact mental health?
- Adoption can affect mental health, but many celebs show it's possible to thrive.
- Do adopted celebs support adoption causes?
- Many actively advocate for adoption and foster care awareness.
- Is being adopted common in Hollywood?
- Adoption is fairly common and many stars come from diverse family backgrounds.
- How can adoption be a positive experience?
- Adoption provides loving families and opportunities for personal growth.
- Are there documentaries about adopted celebrities?
- Yes, some celebs have documentaries discussing their adoption journeys.
- Can adopted women relate to these celebs?
- Absolutely, their stories can offer hope and empowerment for adopted women.