Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi have officially begun a new chapter in their lives – as parents.
The pair, who got married last year, revealed Thursday that they had adopted a baby girl, signaling the start of their family as a couple.
The news broke on a joint Instagram post by the “Stranger Things” actor and Bongiovi, the offspring of renowned rock artist Jon Bon Jovi. The post, which was a cute sketch of a willow tree, announced that the young couple adopted their daughter this summer.
We are more than thrilled to begin this stunning next chapter of parenthood in peace and seclusion,” the couple stated in their caption, inserting the sentimental addition: “And then there were 3.
At only 21, Brown has already experienced a whirlwind of professional and personal achievements, ranging from her breakout performance on Netflix’s Stranger Things to starring in large Hollywood productions, starting business enterprises, and now entering motherhood. Bongiovi, 23, is also forging his own way in the entertainment industry, having just recently started his acting career.
From Teenage Star to Young Mother
Brown initially gained global stardom in 2016 as Stranger Things telekinetic heroine Eleven. Since then, she has been one of Netflix’s most familiar faces, taking the series from four seasons. Now, with the final season coming later this year, Brown finds herself transitioning into a similarly seminal role: that of a mother.
Her adoption announcement comes as she juggles several projects beyond acting. Along with acting in movies such as Enola Holmes and the upcoming The Electric State, Brown has created a thriving brand with her skincare and makeup line, Florence by Mills, and even dipped into farming life in Georgia. Not only does her farm support her family, but it also operates as an animal rescue.
This devotion to both profession and personal interests is characteristic of the equilibrium Brown appears to be committed to bringing into motherhood.
A Love Affair Translates to Family
Brown and Bongiovi started dating in 2021 after the two are said to have met on social media. The affair was serious before April 2023 when Bongiovi proposed to her. The engagement was widely celebrated, with Brown subsequently flaunting her ring on cheeky Instagram posts.
Jon Bon Jovi himself revealed in 2024 that the couple had secretly wed in a small ceremony. The duo later threw a grander, more extravagant wedding party later that year in Tuscany, Italy. Pictures from the event – posted by Brown in October – gave fans a look at their romance, which was filled with friends, family, and celebration.
Now, just a year after becoming husband and wife, the couple has stepped into parenthood together, embracing adoption as the path to expand their family.
Jake Bongiovi’s Growing Career
Whereas Brown has been a Hollywood fixture for years, Jake Bongiovi is relatively new to the scene. The 23-year-old actor appeared in the 2024 comedy Rockbottom, his first feature film, and will be seen in Poetic License, based on his IMDb profile. Having come from a celebrity family, he’s not content simply to coast on family fame, hoping to make a name for himself in acting, now coupled with the challenges of being a new father.
Balancing Parenthood With Stardom
Even though the couple has decided to remain mum about details of their baby girl, friends and media houses have already started speculating on how this milestone will redefine Brown’s next phase. For now, both she and Bongiovi insist that they are keen to bring up their daughter out of the limelight while still pursuing their careers.
Brown’s life will be even more hectic now that Stranger Things is going into its eagerly awaited final season. Netflix announced that the show’s final episodes will be released in batches of three: the first on November 26, the second on Christmas Day, and the final one on New Year’s Eve.
In an emotional address to the cast and crew of Stranger Things recently, Brown looked back on the ending of an era, stating: “I am nowhere near ready to leave you guys. I love each and every one of you and I’ll forever carry the memories and bonds we’ve created together as a family.”
And now, she’ll have her actual family – her husband and newly adopted daughter – at her side as she closes that definitive chapter.
A Private But Feted Start
While Brown and Bongiovi asked for privacy and peace, their news already attracted waves of congratulations from fans globally. Fans have commended their choice to adopt and cheered the couple for going into parenthood on their own terms.
As Brown keeps her acting career, business enterprises, and activism in check, motherhood is her most intimate milestone so far. For Bongiovi, it’s also a similarly life-altering experience as he becomes a father and develops his acting career.
For the young couple, one thing is evident: the next chapter of their lives will be all about family first.
Jamie Wells has a knack for getting the inside scoop on Hollywood’s biggest stars and up-and-coming talent. With a sharp eye for industry trends and an ear for viral moments, Jamie covers everything from red-carpet events to behind-the-scenes drama in movies, TV, and celebrity culture.
