The actress welcomed her twins, Phinnaeus and Hazel, with her husband Danny Moder later than most other moms. Now that they’re all grown up, she believes they’ve taken after their father.

“Pretty Woman” star Julia Roberts and her husband are known for keeping their family life private. However, occasionally, they give fans a glimpse of their three children on social media. So, when he shared photos of the couple’s 19-year-old twins, fans couldn’t stop gushing about their looks.

At 37, Julia gave birth to Phinnaeus and Hazel, who both entered this world healthy. According to a source, the twins arrived at around 3 a.m. in November 28, 2004 at a Los Angeles hospital. On the other hand, Henry, now 17, was born on June 18, 2007.

While discussing becoming a mother in her late 30s, Julia said her kids chose her to be her steward and shepherd in life when she was ready. Still, the mom of three fears at times that she will mess up as a parent, although she believes her kids came into her life when she was ready.

Therefore, she made sure to enjoy time with them to the fullest when they were young. She once hilariously revealed that Henry thought that when people were talking about the twins in their family, they were referring to him and his siblings instead of just Phinnaeus and Hazel.

Julia, who recently stunned with her blonde hair, not only had fun with her children, she protected them from the harms of fame. When the kids were younger, they knew that their mom was famous, but never understood the true meaning of it. They would mostly see tabloid headlines when they were in stores, and the actress found such moments uncomfortable.

Meanwhile, tabloid stories that weren’t true would hurt Julia’s feelings, especially when they speculated that her marriage was ending despite being perfectly happy with Danny and still raising their kids together.

Due to these challenges, the actress and her husband decided to take their kids out of the public eye and moved away from Los Angeles. They have a ranch in New Mexico, but they used to stay in the City of Angels for work.

However, as per a friend, the parents quickly realized they didn’t want their kids to grow up in the show business culture that comes from being so close to Hollywood. Eventually, they moved to San Francisco for their family’s sake. There, Phinnaeus, Hazel, and Henry were not viewed as the children of movie stars.

Additionally, in true protective mom style, the “Ocean’s Eleven” star revealed in 2019 that she has banned her children from using social media to limit their exposure to the pressures of the modern world.

The actress also set boundaries on what they could watch on TV and implemented family meetings. These measures were to ensure her kids were safe from the pressures and resources that can be misused in a globalized world.

What’s more, Julia believed that as a parent, it was her job to keep her kids offline because they didn’t need that while growing up. Aside from protecting her kids, the actress also gave them unconditional love so they could handle any coming challenge. She also helped her kids navigate the issues of today.

When Hazel was going through a hard time and had lost hope, her mom took that opportunity to make her feel that she still had a voice. She took her to her first Women’s March in Washington and showed that she had a place in this world where she could uphold her beliefs.

According to the 57-year-old mother, Hazel is “one of a kind.” When the teen attended the 74th Cannes Film Festival in 2021 with her dad, she opted for a simple look and even shrugged off her mother’s suggestion to wear eyeliner. Hazel was just happy to participate in the event with her father.

However, the young woman has a penchant for her mom’s prized possessions. Julia revealed that her daughter once went through her closet looking for a prom dress, and she tried out the actress’ black and white Valentino gown, which Julia wore when she won an Academy Award in 2001.

Unfortunately, Hazel found the dress to be too big for her, but the actress remembers how stunning her daughter looked in it. Overall, Julia has done a lot to love, protect, and be there for her kids. Still, she says there is no mastering mothering.

She believes the best way to navigate motherhood is to know that you cannot do everything a parent and should not feel ashamed or fearful about asking for help. Still, every new challenge can be difficult.

In 2022, the “Pretty Woman” star admitted that she felt lightheaded when her twins were about to go to college. She was also fascinated and excited for them because she never had that experience.

In terms of looks, Julia often believes her kids look like her, but when her husband comes home from work, and she sees him, it dawns on her that they look most like Danny, and fans seem to agree.

On November 28, 2021, when the kids turned 17, Danny, now 55, posted a photo that had his followers talking. “They’re so beautiful,” someone expressed. Another netizen said Hazel “looks like her dad,” and others echoed those sentiments.

A year later, Julia’s twins turned 18, and the actress shared a cute picture with them of when they were just babies. Those diaper-wearing kids will be turning 20 in late 2024!

Meanwhile, Julia Roberts and Danny Moder have been married for 22 years and are happy in their union. They have chosen how to raise and protect their kids from the burdens of today’s world and their fame. By the looks of their social media, they’ve succeeded in making a joyful family.

When Elena is in hospital, ready to give birth to her and Michael’s first baby, she finds herself alone with her mother. Michael was simply nowhere to be found. Upon discharge, Elena walks into the house hoping to find Michael there with an explanation. Instead, she finds a note from Michael blaming Elena’s mother for his disappearance. Where is Michael and what happened?

I always thought that the happiest day of my life was the day I married Michael. But then we found out that I was pregnant, and I figured that the day I gave birth to our baby was going to be the happiest.

Little did I know that it would be the beginning of a nightmare. Michael had promised me that he would be there, holding my hand as we welcomed our first child into the world.

We had planned every detail together, from the music that would play in the delivery room to the tiny hat he would place on our baby’s head.

But when the time came, Michael just wasn’t there.

I remember the nurses’ sympathetic smiles as they assured me that he was probably just delayed. With each passing minute, the sinking feeling in my stomach grew worse.

I had been calling him for hours, leaving desperate voicemails, but there was no response. As the contractions intensified, so did my fear. Was I really about to do this by myself? What could have kept him from being here?

“Come on, Michael,” I said through gritted teeth.

When my daughter arrived, I was overwhelmed with joy, but it was tainted by the empty spot beside me where my husband should have been. Where was Michael? Why hadn’t he shown up?

My mother was with me throughout, holding my hand when Michael should have been, but I could see the worry in her eyes, too. And if she knew anything, she certainly didn’t tell me.

“Just relax, Elena,” my mother said. “Focus on Emily now. And yourself; your body needs a moment.”

“I know,” I said. “I’m just worried.”

After two days in the hospital, I was finally discharged. My mother helped me carry Emily to the car, and we headed home. The ride was silent, and my mother kept drumming her fingers against the steering wheel.

I tried to keep myself calm, telling myself that there must be a reasonable explanation for Michael’s absence. Maybe something happened at work. Maybe he’d had an accident and was away in another hospital.

The scenarios grew wilder with each mile we drove.

But nothing could have prepared me for what I found when we got home.

The house was eerily quiet. I pushed open the door, half-expecting Michael to be waiting inside with some excuse that I could forgive after seeing the look on his face.

“Michael?” I called out, my voice echoing through the empty rooms. “Michael, are you here?”

No answer.

“Be quiet, Elena,” my mother said. “Emily is sleeping.”

I ignored her and hurried upstairs. I had to check the nursery; maybe he was in there, just waiting for us to come home. We had spent weeks perfecting our daughter’s nursery to exactly how I envisioned it throughout my pregnancy.

But when I opened the door to the nursery, my breath caught in my throat.

The room was almost empty. The crib was there, but all the decorations, the stuffed animals, our daughter’s outfits, and the blankets we had lovingly chosen together were gone. All that remained was a single piece of paper, placed neatly inside the crib.

I love you and our baby, Elena. But I have to leave forever. Ask your mom why she did this. I’ve taken some of Emily’s things to remember you both.

I stared at the note, my mind struggling to make sense of the words. What did Michael mean? Why did he have to leave? And what did my mother have to do with any of this?

“Mom!” I shouted, trying to get down the stairs as fast as my postpartum body would allow. I clutched onto the note tightly as I thundered into the living room where she was sitting on the couch with Emily asleep in her arms.

“What is this?” I demanded, thrusting the note at her. “What did you do? Where is my husband?”

She looked at me with heavy eyes. And for a moment, I saw a flicker of something I couldn’t quite place. Guilt? Regret?

“I didn’t want you to find out this way…” she said quietly.

“What? Find out what?” I nearly screamed at her. “What are you talking about? Tell me now!”

She took a deep breath as if steeling herself for what she was about to say.

“I found out something about Michael, honey. And it was just too big to keep to myself. He needed to know that I knew.”

“Knew what? Why are you talking in riddles?” I asked closing my eyes, suddenly exhausted.

“He’s been having an affair, darling,” she said. “With someone from his office. Imagine the nerve.”

The words hit me like a physical blow, and I had to sit down quickly.

“No, Mom,” I found myself saying. “That can’t be true at all. Michael wouldn’t do that to us. He loves me! And he’s been so excited about our baby and growing our little family!”

“I wish it wasn’t true, darling. Do you think I enjoyed being right?” she asked softly. “I overheard him talking to someone on the phone. They were talking about meeting at a motel. I confronted him about it, and he admitted it. He’s been seeing his boss, a woman who’s much wealthier than we could have ever dreamed. She’s been offering him things he couldn’t refuse.”

“You mean… the promotion? It wasn’t just hard work? And the car wasn’t just because he made a big deal for the company?” I gasped.

My chest felt tight, like all the air had been sucked out of the room.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked, tears streaming down my face as my lower pelvis ached. “Why didn’t you give me the chance to talk to him? A chance to fix it?”

“Oh, honey,” my mother said soothingly. “I gave him the chance. I told him that he had to tell you everything or leave, for good. I knew that if he told you everything, it would mean that he was still a good man with redeeming qualities. But see this? He chose to leave you, to leave Emily.”

For a moment, I didn’t want to believe my mother. I wanted to believe Michael, and that there was more to this story. How else could my mother have sat there during my labor, holding my hand while knowing the truth?

It made no sense to me.

Well, one thing made sense to me. My mother had never really taken to Michael in the way I had hoped. She tolerated him and liked that he took care of me. But there was nothing beyond that. They had no other relationship beyond me.

What if my mother just wanted him out?

Unknowingly, I said all these thoughts out loud.

“Really? Elena! You think I’d purposely hurt my daughter and jeopardize her relationship with her father?” my mother cried. “He hurt you by choosing to have an affair. I can tell you everything you need to know, but I need you to believe me.”

This couldn’t be happening. My husband, the man I had trusted with my life, had betrayed me, and my mother had forced him to leave without giving me the chance to even hear him out.

“You shouldn’t have taken that choice away from me,” I said. “You should have let me decide what to do!”

My mother gripped my thigh tightly.

“I’m so sorry, Elena,” she said. “I thought I was doing the right thing. I didn’t want you to suffer more than you already did; this pregnancy was a lot on your body and mind, my darling.”

She seemed earnest enough, but I couldn’t help but be angry with her. All I could think about was how everything I had known, everything I had believed in, had been ripped away in an instant.

My husband was gone, and probably off with his mistress, my mother had betrayed my trust, and I was left alone with a newborn and a broken heart.

Emily’s eyes opened, and before I knew it, her little mouth twisted into a cry.

“She’s hungry,” my mother said. “Maybe one day, when Emily goes through something where she needs her mother to protect her more than give her a choice, you’ll understand why I did what I did.”

I nodded.

“I’m sure you’re right, Mom,” I said, slipping my shirt off my arm to feed my little girl. “But I need some space for a little while. I need to adjust to being a single parent right now.”

“But you’re not alone, Elena!” my mother exclaimed. “Michael may have chosen to leave you, but I’m still here. I’m right there to love and support you. And your little girl.”

“I know that,” I said. “But this is the choice I’m making.”

“I’ll make you some food and then I’ll leave,” my mother said. “Please, let me do that. Let me plan meals for a week. Okay?”

“Fine,” I said, grateful for the assistance even though I didn’t want to look at her.

In the days that followed our hospital return, I thought about Michael’s behavior closer. Of course he was having an affair. There were endless late nights and shared dinners with “colleagues over business.” It was clear now, that during those intimate hours, Michael and his boss were becoming closer.

I tried to contact Michael many times, but it always went to voicemail. Until one day, when he answered by accident. I could tell he had no intention of answering the phone because his voice was thick with sleep.

“Michael?” I asked.

“Elena?” he gasped.

“Is it true?” I asked.

“Yes. All of it,” he said. “I’m not coming back. I was excited to start my life with you and our baby, but I’ve grown to love Gretchen and our lives together. I have to give this a chance. And the least I can do is transfer the house to your name only. Gretchen’s lawyers will do it soon.”

I couldn’t believe my ears.

Michael never contacted me again, and I didn’t reach out either. He disappeared from my life as quickly as he had entered it. But at least my daughter didn’t meet him and get to experience any of that.

She was safely away from Michael.

What would you have done?

If you enjoyed this story, here’s another one for you:

My MIL Thought I Was Cheating on Her Daughter and Tried to Teach Me a Harsh Lesson

When Mike plans a surprise weekend away for his and Steph’s anniversary, he hires an event planner to do most of the work. But when a nosy mother-in-law catches wind of Mike with another woman, things get out of control…

So, let me set a scene for you. It’s hilarious now, but it was anything but when it actually happened.

I’m Mike and I’ve been happily married to my wife, Steph, for ten years. We had a perfect little life with our eight-year-old son, Jack. Steph and I are the kind of couple that people envy.

As lame as it sounds, we have been completely in sync since we got married, finishing each other’s sentences, the whole deal.

Or at least, we were until my mother-in-law, Karen, got involved.

“I’m going to surprise Mom for our anniversary,” I told Jack when we were kicking a ball around outside one afternoon.

“Just don’t decide on having another kid,” Jack said, giggling as he spoke.

Well, I didn’t plan on that, but I did want to surprise Steph with a romantic weekend getaway to celebrate our anniversary.

I wanted everything to be perfect, so I hired an event planner to hold down the fort.

“Catherine,” I told her when I sat across from her in her office. “I need this weekend to be perfect. I know that it’s small scale compared to the events you plan, but I need it to be perfect for Steph. She deserves this.”

Catherine beamed, and I thought she actually looked quite beautiful. Not as beautiful as my wife, but lovely nonetheless.

She was great to work with too. She was professional, attentive, and yes, attractive.

Read the full story here.

This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.

Tom Jones was one of the most popular artists in the mid-’60s, spanning more than five decades. However, his love for women equaled his talent.

Some of his songs like “It’s Not Unusual,” “Green Green Grass of Home,” “Delilah,” “Till,” and “A Boy From Nowhere” are still popular tunes decades after he released them.

Jones was not only a great singer, but he was also a passionate lover. He was wedded to Melinda Rose Trenchard for nearly six decades, yet his love for her did not prevent him from cheating on her.

His followers adored Jones, and his relations with them occasionally crossed moral boundaries. Jones had a thing for ladies; he struggled to resist the allure of the numerous women who came to him.

Jones and Trenchard had a remarkable love story. In his 2015 memoir, “Over the Top and Back,” the singer revealed that he first fell in love with her in his pre-teen years.

Jones had tuberculosis at the time and spent two years healing in bed. After he recovered, he rebuilt his connection with Trenchard, who he said never failed to smile at him while she walked to school in Treforest, South Glamorgan. But, despite his passionate young love, she refused to date Jones until she turned 15.

The couple decided to follow their hearts and tied the knot in their little Welsh village in 1957. She was only 16 at the time, and Jones was a far cry from the man the world would come to admire, although he always had the talent.

Jones and Trenchard wasted no time in starting their family. Soon after they got married, the couple welcomed Mark, who would become their only child together. Mark grew up to be a massive part of their lives and, at some point, worked as his father’s manager.

Jones and His Affairs

Shortly after getting married, Jones released his first set of songs, and these chart-topping tunes quickly made him a household figure. Jones’s career carried him worldwide but largely away from his wife and his plethora of female fans.

His female admirers were said to have had a legendary relationship with him, with some even hurling their panties on the platform in an attempt to gain his attention. During his tours, the singer’s dressing room became a place for him to have casual sex with fans.

Despite all his multiple affairs, Jones did not consider any of them serious and said leaving his wife was never an option. Jones claimed to have slept with about 250 women in a year at the height of his fame, but he harbors no regret.

Jones once said, “I don’t regret anything. All in all, no matter what happened, my marriage is still solid, and my son still loves me. I haven’t done anything bad in my life.”

However, one of the most significant affairs of his life came in 1987 with model Katherine Berkery. The duo met while he was on tour in the US, but things turned sour after she shared big news with him.

Jones Got Caught

After many rumors of his affairs went unnoticed, Trenchard finally reacted to her husband’s infidelity after he was photographed kissing former Miss World Marjorie Wallace.

Recalling the incident, Jones confessed that his wife was heartbroken and hit him while he stood there taking the beating because he felt he deserved it. However, Jones continued his cheating ways.

Jones Rejects Son

Trenchard was already suffering from her husband’s adultery, but in 1987 she found out Jones had fathered a kid with another woman. The singer had a four-day romance with Berkery on his US tour, which resulted in the birth of his son Jonathan.

At first, Jones denied being the child’s father despite paternity tests confirming he was the father. Jones maintained his position for 20 years. The 82-year-old believes he was scammed into fathering the boy and has never had anything to do with him.

Jones later paid Berkery a £50,000 out-of-court settlement. Jonathan, now grown up, shares a striking similarity with his father, but all he wants is to be acknowledged by the renowned singer.

Losing His Partner

For many years, Trenchard suffered several fears, one of which was her fear of traveling. She became more reclusive while her husband toured the world, and soon, her health took a turn for the worse.

She passed away in 2016 after a long fight with cancer. She died at the age of 76, leaving her longtime spouse heartbroken. Jones postponed his tour so he could be at her bedside when she passed away.

Years after her death, the singer still has difficulty coping with her death, but he credits music with assisting him in his recovery. When asked if he would consider remarrying, the actor responded that he had no other memories left to forge with anyone else.

Jonathan Still Wants His Dad

Although it’s been decades of having no contact with his father, Jonathan still keeps his dream alive. The 34-year-old is a singer just like his dad, but he has never been able to count on Jones’s support.

The absence of his father led him into several vices, including drugs and other abuses. Jonathan said he mixed with the wrong crowd and found himself homeless, living in the street.

Jonathan never received a phone call or birthday card from his dad, which ruined his childhood, causing him to grow into an angry kid. However, he has put those days behind but still hopes for a relationship with the legend.

A disabled girl who falls behind without a prom date is in for a surprise when her dad takes her to the prom. The reward he gets the next day in recognition of his love for his child transforms their lives.

Danny, Molly’s dad, and her mom had divorced ten years ago. Since then, Molly had only heard terrible things about her father—like he was a ‘drunkard’ and such.

Though Molly didn’t have any bitterness towards Danny, she often missed their dad-daughter connection. But after her mom’s funeral, things were going to change for Molly…

“Hey, sweetheart!” Danny greeted his daughter and hugged her before placing a wreath on his ex-wife’s coffin.

“Sir, is that truck yours? It’s blocking half the parking. You mind moving it?” a guest asked Danny, who was a truck driver.

Danny was delighted to meet Molly. The only link he had with her all these years was through the child support he paid for her. Daisy never allowed him to see Molly because she feared he would become a bad influence.

The funeral was over, and everybody left. Danny packed all of Molly’s stuff and told her they were going to his house.

“A parcel? Who sent it?” he wondered. A card on it read: “For Dad of the Year”

“But why, dad? I can’t leave this house. Mom and I lived here. It’s filled with our memories.”

Two days later, Molly moved in with her dad. Though the house was compact and untidy, it comforted her and made her feel loved and included.

As days passed, Danny had difficulty doing things for Molly. Since he never saw her grow up, he did not know how to tackle most things, like braiding her hair, for example. He learned how to do it by watching online videos. But that was not all.

He vacated his bedroom so that Molly would have a nice space to sleep. He even bought a fluffy new bed so that she could rest well. Danny did everything on his end to make his daughter feel at home, but if there was something he kept a secret, it was his constant disappearance at night.

Molly had no idea where her dad had been going at night after she fell asleep. She could only guess he was loitering with his friends in the pub, just as her mother often told her.

Molly scowled and recalled her mother telling her about her dad’s ‘odd’ habits in the evenings. She frowned thinking her father was out drinking at four in the afternoon.

Hours passed, but Danny never returned home. Molly cooked herself pasta, leaving some for her dad. Then she lay on her bed crying.

“If only I was normal, I wouldn’t be the odd one out. I would have found a date for the prom.”

It turned out that Molly’s teacher had informed them about their upcoming senior prom. All her classmates had found prom dates except for Molly. Nobody was interested in taking her. She figured—who would want to dance with someone with a limp?

Molly cried so loudly that Danny heard her as soon as he arrived home.

“What happened, darling? Why are you crying?”

Molly told him about the prom. “I don’t have a date. I even asked some boys if one of them would at least dance with me during prom, but they refused and laughed. I don’t want to go to the prom, daddy! I want to be alone! Goodnight!”

Danny couldn’t just leave his daughter in distress. The next day, he bought Molly a beautiful prom dress. And on prom day, Molly was in for a huge tear-jerking surprise. Her dad was taking her to prom.

Senior students and their parents were flocking outside the hall when a loud screeching roar of an engine drew their attention.

Danny jumped down from the truck. He put a wheelchair on the lawn and helped Molly get out. He pushed the wheelchair on the red carpet as the gathering watched in amazement.

Danny hit the dance floor with his daughter as the music rolled. He lifted Molly and carried her around in circles, syncing with the melodious musical night. For a moment, Molly forgot that she had a disability and laughed her heart out as her dad kept swaying her in his arms.

Meanwhile, Danny became the show stealer. All the parents flocked around him to praise and applaud him. Danny then shared a bit about himself and his daughter, knowing little about how that evening would soon change their lives.

Danny and Molly returned home, talking about the fun they had. Then Danny put Molly to sleep in her bedroom and silently crept out of the house.

It turned out Danny had been working a second job as a caregiver at a local nursing home. Besides his part-time day gig as a truck driver, he worked overtime to save money for his daughter’s treatment. When Molly’s disability was diagnosed years ago, many told Danny and Daisy that she would never be able to walk.

Daisy had misunderstood him and thought he was wasting his time at the pub. Danny tried explaining to her, but she never trusted him. Her constant doubts and heated arguments led to their split shortly after. Danny never bothered because he was only focused on saving money for Molly’s surgery and worked hard for the next several years.

It pained Danny whenever he recalled his past. Even that night, while driving to work, he could not shake his thoughts off the terrible things his ex-wife told him. He finished his shift and returned home, unprepared for the surprise that awaited him and Molly.

“A parcel?? Who sent it?” he wondered. A card on it read: “Dad of the Year!”

Inside, Danny found a check for $10,000 and another note:

“Dear Danny, we hope this will improve your daughter’s life. Good luck with her surgery, and we hope you spend more time with her in the evenings. Best Wishes, Your Prom Buddies!”

Danny realized the parents he’d met the previous night were behind this. He shed tears of joy and shared the good news with Molly.

“Really?! My God, daddy…This is unbelievable!” She laughed and cried on his shoulders.

With the money Danny had saved and the $10,000 check, Molly got her surgery. It was successful, and gradually, she was able to walk without crutches.

Meanwhile, Danny quit his second job to spend more time with his daughter. She earned a scholarship to study architecture in another state and was set to leave in three months.

Danny wanted to make the best use of the available time he had with Molly. He taught her to cook, dance, cycle, and even run. He just wanted his daughter to live a normal life and never look back to the days when she was using a wheelchair and crutches.

What can we learn from this story?

• There is no stronger love in the world than a parent’s love. Danny walked the extra mile to help his daughter walk. He worked two jobs to save money for her surgery and even took her to prom when she did not have a date.
• A father is always a superhero to their children. Even when everybody told Danny his daughter could never walk again, he did not lose hope and worked towards making her walk again. He was her true superhero and inspiration for life.

Share this story with your friends. It might brighten their day and inspire them.

A one-handed boy makes broth for his late friend’s sick grandma despite facing difficulties. One day, the older woman returns his kindness in the most unexpected way. Click here to read the full story.

A girl born into poverty, raised by a strict grandmother, and forced to endure harsh circumstances might have seemed destined for hardship. But she defied the odds stacked against her, making a mark on the world in ways few could have imagined.

The family lived without running water, relying on a well for their needs, adding to their daily challenges. Her grandparents took on the responsibility of raising her for the first six years of her life. This time was filled with physical and emotional trials, which would come to shape her deeply.

A Childhood Marked by Hardship

Growing up on a farm in Mississippi, the girl was expected to follow a rigid set of rules. She often recalled the harsh punishments, including beatings for even minor infractions, such as playing with water on her way back from the well.

These incidents left lasting physical and emotional marks. One particular memory involved being whipped so severely that one of the welts on her back bled through her dress as she prepared for church.

Additionally, her grandfather’s dementia cast a long shadow over her childhood. She often felt unsafe, especially at night. One terrifying incident remains etched in her memory. She woke up one night to find her grandfather’s hands around her grandmother’s neck.

This constant state of alertness left her feeling perpetually unsafe and contributed to her resilience and vigilance. As if that wasn’t enough, she was raped by her uncle years later, which resulted in a pregnancy when she was 14. She never got to have the baby as she miscarried, but the experience was traumatic for her.

Despite the overwhelming pain she endured during her childhood and teenage years, she discovered a way to transform her trauma into something powerful. As she grew older and began her career, she found that her life’s work allowed her to confront these difficult experiences head-on.

Hosting her talk show became a form of therapy, both for her and for many of her viewers. Her ability to openly discuss challenging topics, such as abuse and trauma, resonated with millions. She once shared that her show provided a platform for healing, not just for herself but for others who had gone through similar experiences.

Faith was also a pillar that helped her endure the pain. Although her grandmother was strict and not one to show affection, she passed down a belief system that gave the young girl hope. “She did give me Jesus,” she once shared, adding that this faith gave her a sense of something larger than herself to believe in.

From Hardship to Global Fame

The girl who faced poverty, abuse, and countless hardships is none other than Oprah Winfrey, one of the most influential figures in media. Her journey from her humble beginnings in Mississippi to becoming a global icon is nothing short of extraordinary.

She rose to fame as the host of “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” which became the highest-rated talk show in history, running for 25 years. Reflecting on her success, Oprah often credited her challenging childhood for giving her the strength to empathize with others.

“I wouldn’t take anything for having been raised the way that I was,” she said. Her work became a powerful outlet for confronting her past, and she found that sharing her own story helped others feel less alone.

Oprah further explored her journey in the book “What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing,” co-authored with Dr. Bruce Perry. In the book, Oprah candidly discusses her childhood trauma and how those experiences shaped her life.

As Oprah’s career soared, her personal growth also took center stage. Over the years, she evolved from someone who once sought validation from others to a woman standing confidently in her own truth. A key turning point in this transformation came when she read Gary Zukav’s book, “The Seat of the Soul.”

The book’s lessons about intention and inner strength helped her find her voice and live authentically. Family has also played a significant role in Oprah’s life. In a touching twist, she discovered a long-lost half-sister, Patricia Lofton, in 2010.

Patricia had been given up for adoption shortly after birth, and after many years of searching, she reconnected with Oprah. The two bonded quickly, and Oprah even helped Patricia achieve her dreams by paying for her college education.

In 2017, Patricia graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a degree in social work, with Oprah proudly attending the ceremony. Their reunion brought Oprah’s personal journey full circle, reminding her of the importance of family, even after years of separation.

In 2011, Oprah brought her groundbreaking show, “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” to an end after 25 years of success. Wrapping up her nationally syndicated talk show wasn’t the end of her media influence—Oprah launched the “Oprah Winfrey Network” (OWN) in the same year.

Looking back, she acknowledged that the transition wasn’t as smooth as she had hoped. “I should’ve completed one thing, taken a year to do nothing, and then decided what was the next thing for me to do,” she reflected, revealing a rare regret in an otherwise stellar career.

Reflecting on her own advice, she added, “I would’ve done the thing that I tell everybody else to do… When you don’t know what to do, do nothing. Get still with yourself and do nothing.”

As she’s learned over the years, Oprah now understands the importance of slowing down and listening to her inner voice. “Every time I’ve just gotten still and listened to what my gut said… I have never made a mistake,” she shared.

On January 29, 2024, Oprah Winfrey turned 70, marking another milestone in her life filled with reflection, wisdom, and continued influence.

James Van Der Beek relocated his family to a new city during the height of the pandemic. They’ve since settled in, and are now focusing on supporting the actor as he battles a serious illness.

In November 2024, actor James Van Der Beek shared troubling news about his health, revealing that he’s fighting cancer. Fortunately, he isn’t facing the disease alone, as he has the support of his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, and their children: Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn, and Jeremiah.

Opening up about his diagnosis, the 47-year-old star confessed, “I have colorectal cancer. I’ve been privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family.”

“There’s reason for optimism, and I’m feeling good,” he added. According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer starts in the rectum or colon, parts of the large intestine within the digestive system.

Taking to her Instagram Story, Kimberly expressed her support for her husband in a heartfelt post. Over the post, set to Sneha’s “So This Is Love,” she tagged her husband and wrote, “Hi baby.”

With a picture of two Northern Cardinals feeding each other, the actor’s wife appeared to draw a parallel between themselves and the birds. The post read, “Northern Cardinals, the ‘romantic’ birds that mate for life, travel together, sing before nesting, and feed each other seed beak-to-beak during courtship.”

Meanwhile, James is facing his diagnosis in the Texas home that he and Kimberly leased during the height of the pandemic.

Moving to Texas

In another, he and Kimberly posed in front of the fireplace; and the last photo showed some of the children sitting in an empty kitchen.

In another post, the star appeared in the kitchen as his wife noted he was cooking dinner while holding one of their toddlers.

The following month, Kimberly shared an Instagram video of herself discussing the move, which then included only five children and a few puppies.

She explained she was exhausted from managing the move, looking after the children, and living through the COVID-19 pandemic. Kimberly expressed her love for Texas while noting that Los Angeles and Beverly Hills had treated them well during their time there, providing easy access to amenities.

“But it was feeling really tight for a family of five kids. We had a pretty modest-sized backyard, no real grass to like scoot on or ride bikes,” she added. They moved there to be close to the local park, but unfortunately, the children couldn’t climb trees, ride bikes or scooters, or play ball due to the concrete surroundings.

Kimberly felt they were restricted and found that Texas offered the space they needed for their growing family. She appreciated that their new home sat on 36 acres and was beautiful.

The plan was to try Texas for a year, with the house owners allowing them freedom to make it their own. Kimberly shared that she’d been trying to convince James to leave Los Angeles for years, but his work commitments made it difficult.

With the pandemic, they realized much could be done digitally. Initially, they considered moving to an area outside Atlanta, but Kimberly had three consecutive dreams encouraging her to move to Texas.

They began turning the property into a family compound, with Kimberly’s then-pregnant sister and her husband moving in as well. Alongside the expansive land in Spicewood, Texas, the Van Der Beeks also have their own private barn. Here’s a glimpse of their home.

In December 2020, the exterior of the house appeared in an Instagram post by James. His wife was seen riding a four-wheeler with one of their children, with wooden buildings visible in the background.

In June of that year, she shared part of the stunning outdoor living space, which includes their swimming pool.

One photo showed her husband tossing one of their children into the air by the pool.

One of the photos captured them posing together outdoors.

The family also enjoys long walks on the property, as seen in a Father’s Day post in 2024 dedicated to the father of six.

During spring, the ranch came alive with vibrant flowers.

The Van Der Beek children even got to play with their neighbors’ horses.

For Halloween each year, James and his children dress up and pose outdoors to showcase their costumes.

And on some evenings, the family gathers around a fire to spend quality time together.

Besides the pool, the backyard also features a tram overlooking the Pedernales River.

The grounds also include caretaker quarters and guest cabins, while the main house has a wooden deck, spa, and built-in barbecue. Now, let’s take a look inside.

What James’s House Looks Like Inside

Over the years, James and Kimberly have shared glimpses of the home’s interior on Instagram.

For instance, in March 2021, the actor posted photos in the kitchen, and the brick-walled bathroom appeared in a 2023 Mother’s Day post.

When Kimberly celebrated her youngest child’s birthday in October 2024, she shared several images showcasing the interior of their Texas home.

In one post, a little girl was seen in what appeared to be a sitting area.

The star’s wife mentioned that their new location offered warm winds, walks on the driveway, and the chance to feed kitchen scraps to their chickens.

One photo also showed James and Kimberly’s bedroom.

Based on various posts, it seems they have a bookshelf as well.

Wood is a dominant feature throughout the property, even appearing in one of their toilets.

The house includes a mudroom, and James shared some 2023 renovations.

Their 5,149-square-foot Mediterranean-style home has five bedrooms and 3,134 square feet of living space.

The floor plan includes a spacious living room and three additional bedrooms.

According to the previous listing, it’s ideal for those looking to “channel your ‘hippie cowboy.'” Amomama hopes that the fresh country air helps James Van Der Beek in his

The pop star was photographed in jeans covered with dirt while shopping with her daughter Emme in Los Angeles on October 30, 2024.

Lopez popped out with her daughter Emme in Acne Studios’s Super Baggy Fit Jeans. The brand’s website describes these mid-waist, super wide-leg pants as having “fading and smudging throughout,” contributing to a trendy construction worker-chic aesthetic that is currently fashionable.

To balance the shabby look of her wide-leg pants, the “The Mother” star paired them with refined pieces, including a ribbed & Other Stories Mock Neck Jumper and a large Bottega Veneta tote bag.

On her feet, she wore Classic Twin Seam New Heights Ugg boots, a modern take on the classic suede style, featuring distinctive seams and a curved sole. Jennifer Lopez and Emme ignored the paparazzi as they stepped into American Rag Cie to shop before Halloween.

Online users had mixed reactions about Lopez’s choice of jeans during this outing. One surprised commenter questioned, “Are her pants … Dirty? Or is that the style these days?” Another seemed puzzled by her choice at her age, remarking, “I really don’t get that st [sic] 55 she dresses like this.”

Yet, her look still garnered admiration. Some fans wrote simple, approving notes like, “Pretty.” Another admirer gushed, “Beautiful!❤️” An amazed fan also penned, “She doesn’t age 😍.”

Lopez is often recognized for her timeless elegance in the public eye, some of which stir lively discussions among her fanbase. Her most recent appearance isn’t the first time her unconventional denim choice has been celebrated by some and critiqued by others.

In April 2024, she was spotted descending a set of brownstone steps, donning a pair of baggy jeans similar to the one she wore on her outing with Emme. These jeans also appeared distressed and discolored, an unusual departure from her typically polished looks.

Despite her impeccable style history, fans were divided over this latest look. Her enthusiasts lauded her appearance, “That’s how I like her, looking great,” a sentiment seconded by others who felt Lopez could do no wrong, fashion-wise.

Conversely, some fans were less than impressed. A third commenter did not mince words, declaring, “Worst jeans I’ve ever seen on a woman. Another lamented, “The outfit is elegant except for those nasty jeans😒,” while another wrote, “And those jeans look filthy!”

In similar disapproval, another user called the “Love Don’t Cost a Thing” songstress “a mess,” citing the jeans as a significant detractor from the star’s usual elegance. Another blatantly declared, “She has no dress sense!“

Meanwhile, others rallied to Lopez’s defense, clarifying the intention behind the fashion choice. One user provided a counter-narrative, “They are not dirty that is the style of those pants,” suggesting a misinterpretation by the critics.

Lopez has long navigated the ever-shifting tides of fashion with grace, as comfortable in the rugged casualness of jeans and Timberlands as she is in the high glamour of Valentino Haute Couture.

“I like baby hairs and big hoops and gold jewelry,” she confessed, revealing the personal flourishes that anchor her diverse fashion choices. These personal touches, regardless of trends, remain steadfastly woven into the fabric of her distinctive look.

However, in a rare interview, Phoenix referred to his partner as his wife, adding a new chapter to their relationship story. From their quiet romance to shared values and their growing family, meet the other half of this Hollywood couple.

Inside Joaquin Phoenix’s Relationship

Phoenix met his partner on the set of Spike Jonze’s 2013 film “Her,” where they shared the screen but not yet a romance. The pair were also co-stars in Garth Davis’ “Mary Magdalene,” in which Phoenix played Jesus Christ and his partner landed the leading role of Mary Magdalene.

“I was looking for something meaningful. I was looking for an experience. I was friends with Rooney,” Phoenix said about what led him to his role in “Mary Magdalene.”

However, while filming “Here,” Phoenix admitted that he thought she didn’t like him. This was not the case, as the actor later learned she was just shy and liked him too.

A friendship ensued and Phoenix shared, “She’s the only girl I ever looked up on the internet. We were just friends, email friends. I’d never done that. Never looked up a girl online.”

However, a romance blossomed over time, leading to their official debut as a couple at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival, where Phoenix received a Best Actor award for his role in “You Were Never Really Here.”

The two shared warm, candid moments on the red carpet, exchanging hugs and congratulations that spoke volumes. By 2019, the pair sparked engagement rumors as the Oscar-winner’s long-time partner was spotted rocking a large diamond while running errands.

In 2020, their relationship reached another milestone with the birth of their son, River, named in memory of Phoenix’s late brother, who died in 1993.

Four years later, fans noticed another surprise — Phoenix’s partner appeared at the Berlin Film Festival in 2024 for the premiere of “La Cocina” with a visible baby bump, sparking rumors of the couple’s growing family.

Not long after, the “Joker” star appeared on the “Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso” podcast and referred to his partner as his wife, seemingly confirming the couple officially tied the knot.

However, in typical fashion, the couple kept the details to themselves at the time of writing, letting the world wonder and celebrate alongside them.

Joaquin Phoenix’s Partner

The woman who has been by Phoenix’s side for years is none other than Rooney Mara, a celebrated actress known for her roles in “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” and “Carol.”

Beyond her on-screen achievements, Mara hails from a family intertwined with football history. Her father’s family, the Maras, founded the New York Giants, while her mother’s family, the Rooneys, established the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“Maybe it comes from going to Christmas and having 30 people all in your face at once. I’ve always been a bit like, ‘Aaargh!'” the actress added.

The Steelers’ legacy has always centered on family, with Art “Chief” Rooney’s son, Dan, carrying forward his father’s values. This family-first philosophy connects the Rooneys and the Maras through the marriage of Chris Mara, an executive with the Giants, and Kathleen Rooney, Art’s granddaughter, and Dan’s niece.

This storied background, however, did not draw the actress into the limelight on her family’s terms. Instead, she carved her own path in Hollywood, joining Phoenix in their shared quest for meaningful storytelling.

However, recently, social media buzzed with comparisons between Mara and Phoenix’s past partner, Liv Taylor, particularly in terms of their appearances.

“Liv Tyler she’s always been gorgeous [sic],” one person commented. Another shared, “Liv Tyler is the prettiest.” A third social media user added, “Liv Tyler wins by a mile!” Nonetheless, Phoenix and Mara have made a beautiful couple for years.

Their connection is deepened over shared values, including a commitment to veganism. Both Mara and Phoenix are dedicated advocates, opting for vegan lifestyles and supporting animal welfare causes together.

Mara, who has credited her lifestyle with contributing to her health and well-being, said, “I don’t have much of a beauty ritual. But I always wear sunscreen. And I use mostly natural products and oils, and I only use vegan products.”

The actress continued, “I am 100% certain my vegan lifestyle has impacted my skin for the better. But I try to be a really healthy eater too and eat whole foods as much as I can. You can be a vegan and still eat junk food.”

Mara, the face of Givenchy L’Interdit Absolu Eau de Parfum Intense, also had her focus on wellness at the core of her beauty regime.

“I find that when I’m eating really well and I’m drinking lots of water and sleeping, the rest is really pretty simple. Your emotional wellbeing is as much a part of your beauty as what you’re doing on the outside, of course,” she revealed.

Phoenix echoed similar sentiments about veganism, sharing that he hoped to educate River about veganism without imposing his beliefs.

“Well, certainly I would hope that [he is vegan], but I’m not going to impose my belief on my child. I don’t think that’s right. I’m going to educate him about the reality,” the actor explained.

He added, “[…] And I’m not going to tell him that it’s OK to read books about all the wonderful little farm animals, and they say ‘oink oink oink’ and ‘moo moo moo’’ and not tell him that that’s what a hamburger is.”

In 2021, the couple extended their advocacy through Farm Sanctuary’s Adopt a Turkey Project, highlighting the need for humane treatment of animals and speaking out against industrial farming.

Their dedication to a vegan lifestyle also extends to their pets, illustrating the couple’s alignment in personal ethics and lifestyle choices. Together, Joaquin Phoenix and his partner embody a blend of quiet celebrity, shared values, and an enduring bond that has captivated fans even amid their choice of privacy.