Famous figures who were adopted
Adoption is more common than many people realize. Chances are, you already know at least one person who has been adopted: or you will at some point in your lifetime. Similarly, many celebrities have been adopted too—being famous doesn't mean you're exempt from the reality of adoption.
Curious? Click on the gallery to learn about famous individuals who were adopted at a young age.
Ice-T
At the age of eight, Ice-T's parents passed away. The rapper was raised by his aunts afterwards.
Jamie Foxx
The actor was adopted by his maternal grandmother following his parents' separation, when he was still a baby.
Nelson Mandela
The political leader was adopted by Jongintaba Dalindyebo, who ruled the Tembu people in Mqhekezweni, when he was nine years old.
John Lennon
The artist was raised by his mother's sister, who began taking care of him after his father left the family. She was wealthier than the Lennons and had a significant impact on his musical taste.
Steve Jobs
When the future Apple co-founder was born, his mother had no support from family or a partner. She decided that adoption would be the best choice for her son.
Eric Clapton
The artist was born in Ripley, England. He was raised by his grandparents.
Kelly Preston
The late actress was adopted by her stepfather following the death of her biological father, when she was three years old.
Frances McDormand
The Chicago-born actress was later adopted in Pittsburgh by a Canadian minister and nurse.
Sarah McLachlan
The Canadian vocalist was adopted by an American family shortly after she was born.
Ray Liotta
Alfred and Mary Liotta adopted the actor when he was six months old.
Skrillex
The musician brought up by a family friend when he was in his infancy, and later accidentally found out that he was adopted.
DMC
Darryl McDaniels from Run-DMC discovered that his adopted parents were not his biological parents when he was a teenager.
Ric Flair
In his autobiography 'To Be the Man' the professional wrestler revealed that he was adopted by an American couple of German descent, shortly after he was born.
Marilyn Monroe
Following her mother's mental health diagnosis and being deemed unfit to care for her children, the actress found a new family when she was adopted by Albert and Ida Bolender from Hawthorne, California.
Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi
The TV personality was born in Santiago, Chile, and was adopted when she was young.
Bill Clinton
Clinton was born to a mother who was widowed, then sent to live with his grandparents. He is one of just two presidents in the history of the United States who were adopted (Gerald Ford being the other).
Lance Armstrong
The former pro cyclist was adopted by his stepfather at the age of three.
