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10 Celebrities Who Adopted Children

by Alexa Villano
November 22, 2021

These celebrities who adopted children truly love them like their own.

Adopting children is not as discussed openly in the Philippines. There is still a stigma with the topic with some children experiencing confidence issues and questions about their real parents. Thanks to celebrities, the topic of adoption is slowly being discussed. Some of these celebrities have been vocal in interviews as well that adopting a child is okay. In celebration of National Adoption Awareness Month, here are some local and international celebrities who adopted children and love them like their own flesh and blood.

Celebrities Who Adopted Children

1. Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie was one of Hollywood’s A-list celebrities who made headlines when she legally adopted her first child Maddox back in 2002. Maddox came into her life after she filmed Tomb Raider in Cambodia.

She then went on to adopt two more children—Pax and Zahara. Angelina has three biological children with ex-husband Brad Pitt—Shiloh and twins Vivienne and Knox.

2. Madonna

Madonna may be the Queen of Pop but she is first and foremost a mom to her kids. She adopted four children: David, Mercy, and twins Esther and Stella who all came from Malawi.

Additionally, Madonna has two biological children: Lourdes, who is now making a name in the modeling scene from her relationship with Carlos Leon, and Rocco Ritchie, her son with ex-husband Guy Ritchie.

3. Judy Ann Santos

Before Judy Ann married Ryan Agoncillo back in 2009, Judy Ann adopted her first child Yohan. The actress said that Yohan already knew she was adopted as early as 4 years old.

Yohan went on to carry Ryan’s name after he adopted her. The couple has two biological children: Lucho and Luna.

4. Susan Roces

Susan Roces and the late actor Fernando Poe Jr. went on to legally Grace Poe. Poe has two siblings from her father’s previous relationships.

5. Claudine Barretto

Up next is Claudine Barretto who has three adopted children: Sabina, Noah, and Quia. Moreover, she has a biological son, Santino, with estranged husband Raymart Santiago.

6. Nora Aunor

Superstar Nora Aunor has four adopted children with ex-husband Christopher de Leon: Lotlot, Matet, Kiko, and Kenneth. She has a biological son, Ian.

Ian, Matet, and Lotlot all followed Nora and Christopher’s steps in showbiz.

7. Sharon Cuneta and Kiko Pangilinan

Megastar Sharon Cuneta and senator Kiko Pangilinan formally introduced their son Miguel in 2012. The singer-actress spoke more about the topic of adoption in a vlog back in 2019. She shared that she and Kiko discussed that they would tell Miguel about his status. Miguel, she said, already knows.

Miguel is the only boy among Sharon’s kids. Sharon and Kiko share two daughters: Miel and Frankie. Meanwhile, Sharon has a daughter, KC, from her previous marriage to Gabby Concepcion.

8. LJ Moreno and Jimmy Alapag

Actress LJ Moreno and basketball player/coach Jimmy Alapag adopted son Ian before they had their two biological children, Keona and Calen.

In a vlog in 2019 to celebrate National Adoption Awareness Month, LJ and Jimmy shared their adoption story and how they became a family.

“We want people to know that adoption is something to be proud of and a family is not only formed biologically but more importantly through LOVE. We also want to give glory to God because if it weren’t for Him, we would not have our three beautiful kids,” LJ said.

You can watch the 2019 video below.

9. Kristine Hermosa and Oyo Boy Sotto

Before Kristine Hermosa and Oyo Boy Sotto got married, they adopted Kiel. The couple has four other children: Ondrea, Kaleb, Vin, and Isaac.

10. Zsa Zsa Padilla

Zsa Zsa Padilla and the late comedian Dolphy have an adopted daughter, Nicole. They also have a biological daughter, Zia.

In an interview with ABS-CBN in 2012, Nicole was already aware that she was adopted. She said that she got a lot of teasing growing up about her situation and that her siblings were very protective of her.

Nicole has kept a low profile in showbiz. She is currently busy with her online business—No Hard Feelings.

Meanwhile, Zsa Zsa also has another daughter, Karylle, from her previous marriage to Modesto Tatlonghari.

Out of Love

Children adopted by families are given a chance to be loved. If someone says that they are adopted, respect and listen to their story. After all, like other humans, they have rights and dreams of their own.