21 Celebrities Raised by a Single Parent: Inspiring Stories of Resilience

There is a general conception that children raised in single-parent families don’t do well in their lives. While this might be true for some, there are several examples that show how celebrities raised by a single parent had a successful life.  

Celebrities Raised by a Single Parent

1. Barack Obama

Barack Obama the 44th president of the United States was raised by a single mother. He is an iconic example for those who doubt the abilities of children raised in single-parent families. His mother was divorced when he was only two years old. However, he made history by becoming the President of the United States. 

2. Jet Li

Jet Li is a world-famous Chinese film star and martial artist. He was born in China and youngest among his siblings. He was only two years old when he lost his father and spent his initial years in poverty. Despite that, his interest, passion, and hard work towards martial arts made him renowned for his work. 

3. Oprah Winfrey

American TV host and producer Oprah Winfrey was also raised by a single mother. She spent her childhood facing violence, abuse, and financial strains. However, her dedication and resilience made one of the most inspiring women in the world.  

4. Mike Tyson

Michael Gerard Tyson also known as Mike Tyson was born in the United States and is one of the most famous boxing champions of all time. It is generally said that Tyson never met his actual biological father. He lived with a man named Jimmy Kirkpatrick, who left Tyson to his mother when he was very young. 

Tyson had a tough childhood as he came from a broken family and faced financial crises. Despite all the pain and trouble, he gained incredible fame and success in boxing and heavyweight champion. 

5. Julia Roberts

Worldwide famous American actress Julia Roberts was raised in a single parent family. Her mother Betty Lou Bredemus raised the actress along with her siblings – all alone after she divorced her husband.

6. Adele 

Adele Laurie Blue Adkins is an English singer and songwriter. She was born in England and was only two years old when her father abandoned her with her mother. She is a famous celebrity raised by a single parent and struggled in her initial years. 

Despite all the hardships she is known as one of the world’s best-selling music artists and was nominated as the “best female artist of the 21st century in the UK”.

7. Madonna

Madonna is known as the queen of pop. Unlike others, the world-famous pop star was raised by a single dad. She lost her mother when she was only 5 years old. She comes from a broken family and faced difficulties when raised in a single parent home. Despite that, she managed to pursue her dreams and had an incredible music career. 

8. Luis Suárez

Luis Suárez is a Uruguayan footballer born in Uruguay in 1987. His parents got separated when he was nine years old. Raised by a single mother, Suárez achieved fame and success and is considered one of the best strikers of his time. His example depicts that children raised in single-parent families can be as successful as children raised in traditional dual-parent families.

9. Will Smith

Will Smith is an actor, rapper, and film producer. Born in Philadelphia, United States he began his journey as a rapper and then turned to electronic media. He is known worldwide for his famous movies. 

Smith’s parents were separated when he was 13 years old and was raised by a single mother. Coming from a single parent family he rose as an international star of Hollywood. 

10. Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie, American actress, filmmaker, and philanthropist, is another product of a single parent family. It is known that she was only one year old when her father left her. Her mother focused on bringing up of her kids and encouraged Angelina for the movies. 

Angelina Jolie has many feathers in her hat. Despite acting and filmmaking she is well known for her humanitarian work and served as a goodwill ambassador at UNHCR. Raised by a single mother this brief introduction depicts her success in life.

11. Charlize Theron

Charlize Theron is a South African-American actress and film producer. As a child, Theron faced abuse and violence from her alcoholic father. After the death of her father, she was raised by her mother. 

Additionally, Theron suffered from jaundice throughout her childhood. Raised by a single mother with an illness she managed to have a successful career. She is one of the highest-paid actresses in the world. 

12. Leonardo Dicaprio

The actor and film producer Leonardo Dicaprio was only a year old when his father fell for another woman and left her mother. He was primarily raised by his mother. He spent most of his childhood struggling in poverty and had a rough time. However, despite his sufferings, Leo has some remarkable achievements. He earned money, fame and has a stable acting career, and is known worldwide. 

13. Selena Gomez 

Selena Gomez is famous for her singing and acting but she is also a businesswoman and a producer. She was very young when her father left her. She is a perfect example of a child raised by a solo mother. 

Selena spent her initial years experiencing deprivation and poverty. Her mother fulfilled her responsibilities towards her daughter which showed her determination. Even though she struggled with multiple jobs but set a positive example for her daughter. Today Selena is a sensible and successful individual with a stable career and fame.  

14. Hope Solo

Hope Solo is an American sportswoman who played soccer and is known as one of the best goalkeepers in the United States. She was born in Washington and was six years old when her parents went through a divorce. She was also raised by a single mother.

Solo experienced an unpleasant event in which she was kidnapped by her father and was later rescued. Despite the difficulties in her life she focused on her skills and is known as one of the best female goalkeepers of all time.

15. Alex Rodriguez

Alex Rodriguez is another sportsperson who is regarded as one of the finest players in his field. He was born in New York and was later raised by a single mother. Similar to the people discussed in this article Alex had a successful career in baseball which wasn’t affected by his family structure.

16. Halle Berry

Halle Berry is an American actress known worldwide. Berry started her career as a model and contested for Miss World in 1986. As an actress, she bagged various awards. 

Berry was very young when her father left her and at the age of four her parents were divorced. She was also raised by a single mother. According to Berry, her father was very abusive towards her mother. He used to beat her. Berry had a traumatized initial years of her childhood. Still, she focused on her career and had a successful life.

17. Keanu Reeves

Keanu Reeves is a Canadian actor, musician, and philanthropist. He has received numerous awards and was also named among the 100 most influential people in the world by the Times magazines.

Reeves was born in Lebanon and he was two to three years old when his parents got divorced. He was raised by his mother who later got married but got divorced. So basically, Reeves was raised in a single-parent family.

Reeves’ experience made him kind-hearted towards others. This can be a reason that he is so down to earth and helping others. He is a perfect example of a caring and successful celebrity raised by a single parent.

18. LeBron James

LeBron James also known as King James is considered as one of the best basketball players of all time. He has won various championships as well as gold medals and is often compared with the famous Michael Jordan. 

James was born in Ohio when his mother was only sixteen years old. His father is said to be involved in criminal activities and had no role in his life. Whereas her mother struggled hard to get a stable job and provide him with food and shelter. 

James had a rough childhood as he experienced poverty and instability. Despite these deprivations, he focused on his basketball skills and career and achieved what many of us dream of. 

19. Justin Bieber

Justin Bieber is a Canadian singer and songwriter. He was very young when his father left him alone with his mother who single-handedly managed to raise him. Justin’s mom worked hard and faced financial constraints. 

However, she also helped Justin to discover his passion for music and helped him learn different instruments. Bieber is a great example of being raised by a single parent and living an accomplished life.

20. Austin Mahone 

Austin Mahone is a singer and a YouTube sensation with 4.9 million YouTube followers. He lost his dad at a very young age and was then raised solely by his mother. 

Austin’s mother encouraged him to follow his passion for music and today he is a successful YouTuber and idol of many youngsters. 

21. Lance Armstrong

Lance Armstrong is a former cyclist who won various tournaments. Armstrong was very young when his parents got divorced and was raised by her mother. His mother tried her best to provide his son with a good life by doing multiple jobs. She encouraged his passion for cycling and pursued him to make a career in this field.