Celebs Who Adopted Black or Asian Kids and Actually Raise Them in Culture

Creating families through transracial and international adoption brings together diverse backgrounds and traditions. Many celebrities have embraced this path and work hard to help their children stay connected to their birth cultures. These parents often prioritize cultural understanding by providing opportunities like travel and education. Here are some stars who are dedicated to honoring their adopted children’s heritage.

Angelina Jolie

As a film fan, I’ve always been impressed by how Angelina Jolie approaches family. She’s really built a household that embraces multiple cultures. With Maddox adopted from Cambodia, Zahara from Ethiopia, and Pax born in Vietnam, she goes above and beyond to make sure each of her kids stays connected to their roots. She hires tutors to teach them the languages and histories of their birth countries, and they regularly travel back to those places to maintain a real connection with the land and its people. I think she genuinely believes – and it seems to be true – that celebrating each child’s unique background makes the whole family stronger and more vibrant.

Sandra Bullock

As a lifelong movie fan, I’ve always admired Sandra Bullock, and I’m really impressed by how she’s approached raising her children, Louis and Laila, who are both African American and whom she adopted. She’s been so open about the need to talk honestly about racism and keeping her kids safe in this country. It’s wonderful how she makes sure they see themselves reflected in the stories they read and the shows they watch – she believes it’s vital for their self-esteem. She’s committed to celebrating their heritage and culture, rather than pretending differences don’t exist. It’s clear she’s navigating the complexities of transracial adoption with a lot of love, honesty, and a strong desire to protect them.

Madonna

The famous singer Madonna has adopted four children from Malawi – David Banda, Mercy James, and twins Estere and Stella. She’s deeply involved with Malawi, supporting local hospitals and schools. Madonna regularly brings her children back to Malawi so they can stay connected to their birth country, family, and culture. She wants them to embrace their African heritage while growing up with a broad, international perspective. This shows her ongoing dedication to Malawi and the children’s origins.

Katherine Heigl

Katherine Heigl and her husband, Josh Kelley, are committed to celebrating their daughter Naleigh’s Korean heritage. Naleigh was adopted from South Korea, and Heigl, whose sister is also Korean, feels it’s important for Naleigh to understand and be proud of where she comes from. They actively include Korean traditions and culture in their daily lives, helping Naleigh feel connected to her roots as she grows up in the public eye and embracing their family’s diversity.

Charlize Theron

Charlize Theron is the adoptive mother of two daughters, Jackson and August, who are African American. As a South African actress, she’s committed to raising them with a strong understanding and pride in their Black identity and heritage. She prioritizes learning about their background and culture to be the best parent she can be, and creates a home where they can openly discuss their experiences and who they are.

Kristin Davis

Kristin Davis, known for her role in ‘Sex and the City,’ adopted two children, Gemma and Wilson, who are African American. Understanding the importance of their cultural heritage, she quickly sought advice from the Black community on how to best care for their hair and skin. Davis is committed to creating a nurturing and inclusive environment for her children, surrounding them with positive Black role models and art. She’s also vocal about the racism her children experience and feels it’s her responsibility to help them navigate it, constantly learning from and listening to those who share their background.

Thomas Rhett

Country music star Thomas Rhett and his wife, Lauren, adopted their daughter, Willa Gray, from Uganda. They spent considerable time in Uganda completing the adoption and developed strong connections with the local community. The family continues to cherish Willa Gray’s Ugandan roots by maintaining those relationships and including African customs in their daily lives. They prioritize celebrating diversity and making sure Willa Gray understands and feels proud of her unique background. Rhett has often spoken about how this experience broadened their perspectives and strengthened their faith.

Connie Britton

Connie Britton adopted her son, Eyob, from Ethiopia while filming a documentary there. To help him adjust and stay connected to his roots, she learned some of the Amharic language and studied Ethiopian culture. She displays Ethiopian items and photos in their home to remind him of where he came from and makes it a priority for them to visit Ethiopia so he can experience the culture himself. Britton believes his Ethiopian heritage is a vital part of who he is.

Emma Thompson

Emma Thompson has a special relationship with Tindyebwa Agaba, a Rwandan man who was once a child soldier. She welcomed him into her family as a teenager and has supported him in healing from his traumatic experiences, always honoring his background. Together, they’ve even gone back to Rwanda to help him face his past. Emma has also encouraged his education while ensuring he remains connected to his Rwandan heritage and voice. Their bond is based on deep respect for his difficult life and his African identity.

Mary-Louise Parker

Mary-Louise Parker adopted her daughter, Caroline, from Ethiopia and feels it’s vital to celebrate Caroline’s birth culture. She includes Ethiopian customs in their family life so Caroline remains connected to her roots. Parker believes adoption shouldn’t mean losing a child’s heritage, but rather celebrating it. She wants to raise Caroline to be proud of both her American upbringing and her African background.

Mariska Hargitay

Mariska Hargitay has built a truly beautiful family, and I’m so impressed by her approach to parenting. She adopted her children, Amaya and Andrew, close together, and intentionally created a multiracial family – something she felt was important to reflect the world around them. It’s clear she’s dedicated to making sure her kids understand and appreciate their individual backgrounds and stories. She doesn’t shy away from cultural differences; instead, she celebrates them as strengths. It’s a home filled with emotional support, and she deeply honors the heritage of both Amaya and Andrew. It’s really inspiring to see how thoughtfully she’s raising her children.

Hoda Kotb

Hoda Kotb is a mother to two adopted daughters, Haley and Hope, who are African American. She makes sure their home is filled with books and toys that celebrate their heritage, believing it’s important for them to see themselves represented in their everyday lives. Kotb also emphasizes the beauty of their skin and hair to help them develop strong self-esteem, and ultimately, grow into confident and secure women.

Meg Ryan

Meg Ryan is a mother to her daughter, Daisy True, whom she adopted from China. Ryan traveled to China to finalize the adoption and took the time to learn about the culture. She’s raised Daisy with pride in her Asian background, while also protecting her from excessive media attention. Ryan cherishes the unique perspective and history Daisy brings to their family, and their connection is deepened by honoring the story of how they became a family.

Ewan McGregor

Ewan McGregor became a father through adoption when he met his daughter Jamyan in Mongolia while filming a travel documentary. He’s stayed connected to Mongolia and values the culture she grew up in. McGregor has raised Jamyan with his other children, encouraging them to appreciate different cultures and backgrounds. Though he generally keeps his family life private, he consistently demonstrates respect for Jamyan’s heritage.

Sheryl Crow

Sheryl Crow is raising two African American sons, Wyatt and Levi, and is committed to creating a nurturing environment where they can embrace their identity. She emphasizes the importance of understanding their heritage and place in society, and actively builds a diverse community around them. Her approach to parenting balances love with a clear-eyed understanding of the challenges facing Black boys in America.

Ty Burrell

Actor Ty Burrell and his wife, Holly, adopted two daughters who are African American. Burrell acknowledges he can’t fully grasp what it’s like to be Black, but he’s dedicated to understanding and supporting their experiences. They make sure their daughters have the resources and connections to embrace their racial identity, and they openly discuss race and culture at home. Ultimately, they aim to support and guide their daughters through life as allies.

Jillian Michaels

Fitness trainer Jillian Michaels is the adoptive mother of Lukensia, who is from Haiti. Jillian spent significant time in Haiti while completing the adoption and developed a deep appreciation for the country’s culture. She makes sure Lukensia stays connected to her Haitian heritage through storytelling and celebrating the culture. The family proudly remembers and honors Haiti’s strength and history, and Jillian encourages Lukensia to be proud of her background as she builds a life in the United States.

Steven Spielberg

Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw are the adoptive parents of Theo and Mikaela, who are African American. They raised a large, diverse family, prioritizing each child’s unique identity and celebrating different cultures. Spielberg has also actively supported organizations and initiatives important to the Black community. The family is built on a foundation of acceptance and inclusivity for everyone.

Michelle Pfeiffer

Michelle Pfeiffer adopted her daughter, Claudia Rose, who is biracial. She began the adoption process before she met her husband, David E. Kelley, and they happily raised Claudia together. Pfeiffer has always been very protective of her daughter, creating a nurturing environment where she could thrive. She made sure Claudia was proud and confident in her mixed heritage. While the family values their privacy, they’ve consistently presented themselves as a close-knit and diverse unit.

Julie Andrews

In the 1970s, Julie Andrews and her late husband, Blake Edwards, were pioneers among celebrities, adopting two daughters, Amy and Joanna, from Vietnam. Despite the challenges of the time, Andrews lovingly raised her daughters with a strong connection to their Asian heritage, making sure they understood their history and felt safe and secure. She consistently speaks about them with immense pride and respect for their culture.

Please share your thoughts on these heartwarming family stories in the comments.

2025-12-09 04:49