Celebrities Who Have Openly Shared Their Adoption Journeys

1 / 15

Roseanne Barr, Rod Stewart and co.: They have given their children up for adoption

Stars who have given their children up for adoption: Roseanne Barr, Rod Stewart

Not only have countless celebrities adopted children, but there are also those who have made the difficult decision to give up their own children for adoption. Often, early pregnancy at a young age was the reason behind such choices.

2 / 15

Albert Einstein

In 1902, Albert Einstein and his then-wife Mileva Maric became parents to a daughter named Lieserl. However, her existence was always kept concealed. It is believed that she was either given up for adoption or tragically passed away due to scarlet fever.

3 / 15

Kate Mulgrew

'Orange Is The New Black' star Kate Mulgrew found herself pregnant in 1977, at a time when she was celebrating her initial acting accomplishments. Opting not to marry the father of the child, she made the difficult decision to give her daughter up for adoption. It wasn't until 2001 that they were able to reunite and see each other again.

4 / 15

Rod Stewart

Rod Stewart has eight children. He gave up his first child, daughter Sarah, for adoption at the age of 17. However, since 2007, the two have reestablished a close relationship.

5 / 15

Roseanne Barr

In 1971, at the age of 18, Roseanne Barr gave birth to a daughter whom she made the difficult decision to give up for adoption. It wasn't until 17 years later that they had the opportunity to reunite and see each other again.

6 / 15

Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh

'Gone With the Wind' star Clark Gable and his then-girlfriend Loretta Young became parents in 1935, but they made the decision to give the baby to an orphanage. Loretta Young retrieved the child 19 months later, but Clark Gable never acknowledged paternity.

7 / 15

Ralph Fiennes and his girlfriend Patti Smith

Ralph Fiennes and Patti Smith

At the age of 18, Patti Smith found herself pregnant. In an effort to keep the pregnancy a secret from the neighbors, her parents sent her away. Subsequently, Smith made the heart-wrenching decision to give her baby up for adoption and never had the opportunity to see the child again.

8 / 15

Dirk Benedict

Dirk Benedict had a life-altering revelation when he discovered the existence of his son at the age of 30. Until that point, he had been unaware of his son's existence.

9 / 15

Nicole Richie

When Nicole Richie was three years old, her father, musician Peter Michael Escovedo, approached his colleague Lionel Richie and asked him to adopt her. Lionel Richie, having a close bond with Nicole, agreed to take on the role of her adoptive father.

10 / 15

David Crosby

In 1962, David Crosby became a father to a son, but shortly after, he placed the child in the care of others. However, when his son reached adulthood, they were able to reunite and meet each other.

Not only have countless stars adopted children, but there are also those who have made the difficult decision to give up their own children for adoption. Often, early pregnancy at a young age was the reason behind such choices.

Stars who gave up their children for adoption

Actress Roseanne Barr found herself becoming a mother at the age of 18 and made the decision to give her daughter up for adoption. Similarly, there are other stars who, for various reasons, were unable or unwilling to raise their children and consequently chose to separate from them. In the picture gallery below, you can discover which stars have also gone through the experience of giving their children up for adoption