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    Celebrity Adoptions

    As Sandra Bullock reveals her latest addition to the family, see other stars who've adopted HERE!

    By Marie Claire
    Published 28 April 2010 In Features

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    Lionel Richie - Celebrity Adoptions - Marie Claire
    Lionel Richie - Celebrity Adoptions - Marie Claire
    (Image credit: Rex Features)
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    As Sandra Bullock reveals her latest addition to the family, see other stars who've adopted HERE!

    Celebrity Adoptions

    Sandra Bullock's secret baby! - Celebrity News - Marie Claire

    Sandra Bullock's secret baby! - Celebrity News - Marie Claire

    Lionel Richie

    Lionel Richie

    Lionel Richie - Celebrity Adoptions - Marie Claire
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Born in 1981, Nicole Richie was officially adopted by singer Lionel and his then wife Brenda Harvey in 1990, although they had been raising her as their daughter since she was two. Surrounded by fame from an early age, Nicole grew up with Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson as godparents, so it should have come as no surprise that she ended up an A-lister in her own right, after shooting into the limelight as Paris Hilton's sidekick in The Simple Life.

    Lionel Richie

    Lionel Richie

    Lionel Richie - Celebrity Adoptions - Marie Claire
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Born in 1981, Nicole Richie was officially adopted by singer Lionel and his then wife Brenda Harvey in 1990, although they had been raising her as their daughter since she was two. Surrounded by fame from an early age, Nicole grew up with Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson as godparents, so it should have come as no surprise that she ended up an A-lister in her own right, after shooting into the limelight as Paris Hilton's sidekick in The Simple Life.

    Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie

    Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie

    Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie - Celebrity Adoptions - Marie Claire
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Perhaps the most famous A-list adoptive parents, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have three adopted children, and three biological. The actress embarked on the adoption process before even meeting her future beau, adopting seven-month-old Maddox from Cambodia in March 2002. Adoption number two came when Brad was on the scene, and the pair reportedly jetted out to Ethopia together to collect six-month-old Zahara in July 2006. A year later, Pitt put in a request to formally become both children's adoptive father, and their surnames were swiftly changed to Jolie-Pitt. The couple's first biological daughter, Shiloh, was born in  May 2007, then just 10 months later the couple adopted a three-year-old boy from Vietnam, Pax Thien. The Jolie-Pitt clan received another two additions in 2008 - when Angelina gave birth to twins Vivienne and Knox.

    Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman

    Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman

    Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman - Celebrity Adoptions - Marie Claire
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    During their 11-year marraige, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman adopted two children - daughter Isabella in 1992, and son Connor, in 1995. Once separated, both had their first biological children. Kidman and husband Keith Urban had a daghter, Sunday Rose, in July 2008, while Tom and Katie Holmes have a daughter, Suri, now 4-years-old. Connor is now following in the footsteps of his A-list parents, and has embarked on a career as an actor.

    Madonna

    Madonna

    Madonna - Celebrity Adoptions - Marie Claire
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Madonna has four children, two biological - Lourdes, born in 1996, and 10-year-old Rocco - and two adopted. Although no stranger to hitting the headlines, she caused a storm of controversy in 2006 when she applied to adopt Malawian orphan David Banda Mwale. She was quickly accused of receiving special treatment, as laws in Malawi insist that would-be parents reside in the country for a year if they wish to adopt a resident child. The Material Girl claimed the guidlines made no mention of foreign adoption. She was clearly not deterred, and after formally adopting David in 2008, embarked on adopting a daughter, Mercy James, in 2009.

    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    Sharon Stone

    Sharon Stone

    Sharon Stone - Celebrity Adoptions - Marie Claire
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Sharon Stone is the proud mother of three adopted boys, having sadly suffered several miscarriages while first trying to conceive. She welcomed first son Roan into her home back in May 2000, when she was still with her now ex-husband, newspaper editor Phil Bronstein. The pair divorced in 2004, after which Sharon adopted her second son Laird in May 2005, followed by third son Quinn in June 2006. Roan is now 10, Lair, 4 and Quinn is three-years-old.

    Jamie Lee Curtis

    Jamie Lee Curtis

    Jamie Lee Curtis - Celebrity Adoptions - Marie Claire
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Jamie Lee Curtis has become something of a poster-mum for adoptive parents. The actress and her husband, Christopher Guest – who she wed in 1984 – have two adopted children: Annie, 23, and Tom,14. In order to share her experiences with others, she penned the 1996 children’s book Tell Me Again About the Night I was Born, which has been embraced by adoptive families worldwide.

    Michelle Pfeiffer

    Michelle Pfeiffer

    Michelle Pfeiffer - Celebrity Adoptions - Marie Claire
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    When Michelle Pfeiffer met her future husband back in 1993, the adoption process was already well underway. The actress seemingly had every intention to become a single mum, but fate had her fall in love just as the adoption went through. Michelle welcomed a six-month-old baby girl into her life, who was christened Claudia Rose in November 1993 – on the same day that she wed producer David E. Kelley. While Claudia Rose is now 17, the pair also have a biological son together, 15-year-old John.

    Sheryl Crow

    Sheryl Crow

    Sheryl Crow - Celebrity Adoptions - Marie Claire
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    On May 11 2007, Sheryl Crow made an announcement on her official website: she was adopting a baby boy. The singer became a single mum to two-week-old Wyatt Steven Crow, bringing him up at her 154-acre farmhouse home just outside Nashville, Tennessee. And having just beaten a year-long battle with breast cancer, Sheryl was relishing in her new more-positive lifestyle. ‘My life is definitely richer,’ she’s said. ‘He’s the first thing I think of in the morning and the last thing I think of before I go to sleep.’

    Hugh Jackman

    Hugh Jackman

    Hugh Jackman - Celebrity Adoptions - Marie Claire
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Hugh Jackman and his Australian actress wife Deborra-Lee Furness, tied the knot back in 1996. The couple now have two adopted children Oscar, 9, and Ava, 4 - and divide their time between homes in New York and Sydney. The actor has descibed adopting as 'phenomenal', saying: 'there are so many kids in need. It's the greatest thing that's ever happened to us.'

    Meg Ryan

    Meg Ryan

    Meg Ryan - Celebrity Adoptions - Marie Claire
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    After attempting to adopt in the US for 10-years, Meg Ryan took her mission to China, and eventually brought home a new daughter, 14-month-old Daisy True, in 2008. The actress already had one son from her marriage to Dennis Quiad, Jack Henry, born in 1992.

    Calista Flockhart

    Calista Flockhart

    Calista Flockhart - Celebrity Adoptions - Marie Claire
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Calista Flockhart adopted a newborn son, Liam, in 2001, and promptly gave up her TV career for four years to be a stay-at-home mum. Her partner Harrison Ford has taken on the role of Liam's adoptive father.

    Katherine Heigl and Josh Kelley

    Katherine Heigl and Josh Kelley

    Katherine Heigl, Josh Kelley and Nayleigh
    (Image credit: PA Photos)

    Grey’s Anatomy star Katherine Heigl and her husband Josh Kelley adopted 10-month-old Nayleigh from South Korea in September 2009, and promptly posted this gorgeous family shot on the actress's charity fundraising site. Prior to the adoption, Heigl revealed on the Ellen DeGeneres show: ‘She was actually born the day before me in November, which I thought was really serendipitous and just kind of like a sign.’

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