Aside from poorly told stories of adoption and foster care on TV and in movies, adoption is not in the limelight on a daily basis. The other main source of adoption information in the news is when a celebrity adopts a child. However, this also perpetuates the idea that adoption is only obtainable for the rich and connected. Regardless of the myths surrounding it, celebrity adoption has done a lot to bring adoption to the forefront. Here are four celebrity quotes about adoption that showed the world a different side of the adoption journey.
1. Angelina Jolie
“When I was growing up I wanted to adopt, because I was aware there were kids that didn’t have parents. It’s not a humanitarian thing because I don’t see it as a sacrifice. It’s a gift. We’re all lucky to have each other.”
Though she is one of the most popular celebrity adoptive moms, Angelina has been much more active than talkative regarding adoption. She has adopted a total of three children and has used her celebrity position to shine a light on adoption. She has always adopted quietly but advocated in her personal time for children in general through various organizations and as a Goodwill Ambassador.
2. Katherine Heigl
“Anyone who doesn’t have experience with adoption wonders, ‘Does love for a child come through DNA?’ I knew it didn’t.”
Katherine Heigl has come a long way since her days on Grey’s Anatomy. After marrying musician Josh Kelley, she adopted two daughters. Katherine announced that she was pregnant with a son in 2016, joking about preferring adoption over the hormones. Much of the reason that Heigl knew that the love for a child was more than just DNA was because her older sister was adopted from Korea. Heigl has been very vocal about her love for all of her children and her heart for adoption.
3. Hugh Jackman
“I think adoption is a blessing all around, when it’s done right.”
While adoption is often referred to as “beautiful,” it is possible for adoption to be a negative experience for some. Adoption can be a blessing when everyone is on the same journey together and all sides are respected. Hugh Jackman and his wife Deborra Lee Furness adopted two children after suffering multiple miscarriages. Hugh and his wife also work in Australia through the Adopt Change Campaign that makes it easier for Australians to adopt in an effort to increase adoptions in Australia. For Jackman, adoption seemed like a logical step, and he speaks openly about how adoption has changed his family’s life. This quote is also featured on an adorable onesie you can purchase here!
4. Mariska Hargitay
“Adoption was a bumpy ride — very bumpy. But, God, was it worth the fight.” Mariska Hargitay may play a tough-as-nails police lieutenant on Law and Order: SVU, but in her personal life, nothing is more important to her than family. After the birth of her biological son, Hargitay adopted two children, but as she said, it was definitely a bumpy ride. In an interview with Good Housekeeping, Mariska details her first adoption journey, which ended in the child’s birth mother choosing to parent. Despite a failed adoption, she chose to press on and was able to grow her family through adoption twice, making the second portion of her quote incredibly true. The result was worth the fight!
Considering adoption? Let us help you on your journey to creating your forever family. Visit Adoption.org or call 1-800-ADOPT-98.
