During the progressive era (1890-1920) adoption became popularised through print publications. Women were encouraged to overcome any prejudices surrounding adoption with the view that a mothers love would champion over all other emotions.
Ever since, adoption has been widely regarded as one of the most altruistic commitments any human can make and over the years a plethora of celebrities have become adoptive parents. From Madonna to Lionel Richie, let’s take a look at some of the most prolific celebrity adoption stories.
Kristin Davis
Best known for her role as Charlotte in hit television series Sex and the City, Kristin adopted a daughter named Gemma Rose in 2011. Many remarked on Kristin’s similar life on-screen compared to real life for in SATC Charlotte also has an adopted child with the middle name Rose, however Kristin insists the coincidence is ‘pure chance.’
Davis has discussed her intrinsic desire to adopt in interviews, “I had always thought in the back of my head that I would adopt” and described the adoption process as “terrifying.”
Sandra Bullock
Adoption had long been in the pipeline for Sandra Bullock, the Gravity star had planned to adopt a baby with her then husband Jesse James. However, when it was revealed that Jesse had been cheating on the American actress, Bullock took matters into her own and adopted Louis Bardo Bullock as a single parent.
The adoption was so successful that Bullock is already considering adopting another child and confessed in a recent interview that she ‘didn’t know what love was’ until she adopted her son Louis.
Lionel Richie
The American singer-songwriter Lionel Richie famously adopted Nicole Camille Escavado- otherwise known as Nicole Richie from infancy. Nicole’s biological father is Peter Michael Escovedo, a jazz singer and was a bandmate of Richie’s at the time. Richie informally adopted Nicole from the tender age of 2, later legally adopting her at the age of 9.
Madonna
Madonna’s adoption of African born David Banda caused controversy in the media. The legendary singer discovered Malawian born David Banda in an orphanage and adopted him 2 years later with Guy Ritchie as the adoptive parent.
Madonna was criticised profusely by the media during this period who believed her good deed was merely a publicity stunt. However Madonna surprised her sceptics after divorcing her husband and adopting African born Chifundo James as a single parent.
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