How Michelle Williams Has Kept Her Family World With 4 Kids So Private

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Michelle Williams did it again.

After enduring an extraordinary event approximately two decades ago, the actress who is now 44 years old, remains unstoppable in her accomplishments. She revealed on Jimmy Kimmel Live on August 18 that she and her husband Thomas Kail have expanded their family by welcoming a third child, a baby girl, through surrogacy.

While it’s not uncommon for high-profile figures to keep private their family planning, Williams has deliberately chosen a less public life since the 2008 passing of her former partner, Heath Ledger, who is the father of her now adult daughter Matilda Ledger, aged 19.

In a 2018 interview with Vanity Fair, Williams expressed that she never abandoned the idea of love. She confessed to having secretly married musician Phil Everum and stated, “I always tell Matilda, ‘Your dad loved me before anyone saw my talent, beauty, or style.’ I’ve never spoken about a relationship before, but Phil is exceptional, and that means something.

Their union, nevertheless, was meant to lead them elsewhere, and they mutually decided to part ways only a few months into it.

By December 2019, she and Kail, the director of her Emmy-winning performance in the FX miniseries Fosse/Verdon, were officially engaged and eagerly awaiting the arrival of their first child as a couple.

As a devoted admirer, I found myself rapidly and deeply captivated by Thomas last December, as per the reports from TopMob News. Our affection for each other is profound, and we eagerly anticipate building our lives and starting a family together.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d put it this way: For me, winning at the 2020 Golden Globes opened up a moment where I passionately advocated for women’s right to control their own bodies. Pregnancy, something I had long desired yet not explicitly planned, became an unexpected yet joyful development in my life.

In an interview with GQ in 2012, the former Dawson’s Creek star expressed his desire and anticipation for Matilda to have siblings around her age. He felt it would be beneficial for her, but unfortunately, it didn’t come to fruition. Now that she is six years old, such a scenario is no longer possible. Something that used to make him feel restless has been eliminated, likely because it’s not in our destiny or the course of our lives.

Instead of discussing his personal battles or the specifics of their issues, Williams consistently avoids talking about the challenges he faced with Ledger who tragically passed away at 28 due to an accidental overdose from prescription drugs.

In a 2009 interview with Vogue, she shared her experiences discussing topics such as grief, single parenting, and juggling work and children. However, regarding the details of her relationship with Heath, she made it clear that she isn’t compelled to discuss those matters publicly.

Understandably, part of keeping Ledger’s memory alive for Matilda is not complicating his legacy.

In 2015, Kate Ledger, Heath’s sister, shared with the Sunday Telegraph that Michelle truly maintains authenticity for Matilda. She also noted that despite having a life unlike many others, Michelle strives to keep things as ordinary as feasible in an unusual world.

According to Busy Philipps, Williams’ friend, she shared with Vanity Fair in 2018 that when Heath passed away, the immense curiosity about her, her child, and their grief was overpowering and extremely painful.

As a devoted single parent, ensuring Matilda’s safety became my topmost concern. I confessed to Vanity Fair, ‘Without the usual support of a partner for both nurturing and protection, it can be quite terrifying.’

As a devoted mother of four, including their newest addition, she is juggling time between her family and her flourishing career. Her recent role in “Dying for Sex” has even earned her a 2025 Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie.

Williams shared with Tiffany Haddish on Jimmy Kimmel Live that she’s juggling a busy work schedule while trying to maintain a healthy balance between work and personal life. She often hears about self-care but wonders when she can find time for it, given her responsibilities as a working mother. Despite feeling guilty about taking time away from her family, she recognizes the importance of taking care of herself, likening it to refilling an empty tank.

Between periods of employment, one can discover art within ordinary moments. As Williams shared with Variety in 2022, “There’s no greater dedication to a better world than raising a wonderful child,” he said. “It’s the pinnacle of creativity.

Read on for more stars who have welcomed babies via surrogate:

In June 2024, the supermodel announced that she had both her daughter in 2021 and her son in 2023 through a surrogate mother.

I, a fervent admirer, can hardly contain my excitement as the illustrious Emmy winner herself, in a heartwarming shout-out, confirmed the arrival of their third bundle of joy! Yes, you heard it right – she and her cherished partner, Thomas Kail, have expanded their beautiful family. And here’s an incredible fact: this joyful event marks not only their third child but also Michelle’s fourth overall. This news, my dear fellow fans, is a testament to the love that these two share and the growth of their extraordinary family!

During her August 18, 2025, interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live, she expressed heartfelt gratitude towards Christine. She credited Christine for the miraculous arrival of their daughter, as this child wasn’t brought into the world through her body, but rather thanks to Christine’s assistance.

In June 2023, the couple proudly announced the arrival of their newborn son named Wren Alexander Stephens. This joyful event came after Chrissy delivered her older children – Luna, Miles, and Esti – in previous years.

In January 2023, the pair known as Happy Endings announced the arrival of their third child, a baby girl named Frances Rose, with the assistance of a generous surrogate, Casey revealed. Speaking about her decision to opt for surrogacy, she mentioned that it was largely due to her struggle with postpartum depression after having her previous children. She emphasized that this choice was a powerful one, especially considering her responsibilities towards her other kids and herself.

In January 2022, the singer and actress joyfully announced that a baby had been born to them through a surrogate. The media outlet TopMob News reported later that they named their new daughter Malti Marie Chopra Jonas. (In a more conversational style: In early 2022, the singer-actress couldn’t contain her excitement as she shared the news of a baby born to them through surrogacy. TopMob News revealed that they called their little girl Malti Marie Chopra Jonas.)

In July 2022, a star from the popular TV show “The Kardashians” had a baby boy named Tatum Thompson through a surrogate, along with an NBA player. However, the couple separated not long after the baby was conceived.

In November 2022, the actress famed from “Pitch Perfect” gave birth to a daughter named Royce Lillian. At that moment, she expressed her feelings, saying “I can hardly put into words the love I have for her. She’s a beautiful miracle!

In 2021, a pair got married, and they became parents for the first time in January 2023 by welcoming a son they named Phoenix, through the help of a surrogate mother.

Back in March 2021, it was announced that the actor and his wife welcomed their sixth child, a daughter named Lucia. It’s been confirmed by someone close to them that she was brought into the world through a surrogate, according to TopMob News.

The Bridesmaids star and her husband welcomed twins via surrogate in 2020. 

The Real Housewives of Atlanta star welcomed daughter Blaze Tucker via surrogate in Nov. 2019.

After experiencing two potentially challenging pregnancies, the reality TV star from The Kardashians and her now-divorced rapper partner opted to use a surrogate mother to bring their daughter, Chicago West, into the world in January 2018, followed by the arrival of another child, Psalm West, in May 2019.

Actress and former NBA player became parents to a healthy baby girl named Kaavia, born on November 7, 2018, via surrogate. “November 7th will always be one of our most cherished days, as our little miracle was brought into our lives by a surrogate,” the actress posted.

The host of “Watch What Happens Live” welcomed his first child, a son named Benjamin Allen, in February 2019. Overwhelmed with love and gratitude, he expressed on Instagram, “I’m in love… I’m a dad.” Three years later, the family expanded with the addition of daughter Lucy.

The supermodel and Erik Asla welcomed their first child, York Banks Asla, via a surrogate in 2016.

The actor and husband David Burtka welcomed their twins Gideon and Harper via a surrogate in 2010.

In December 2010, Faith was born to the couple through a surrogate, making her their second child. She joined Sunday Rose, their first-born daughter, as well as Isabella and Connor, Nicole Kidman’s eldest children from her previous relationship with Tom Cruise.

In 2009, the star of Sex and the City and the actor from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off became parents to twin girls, Tabitha and Loretta. Their elder brother, James, already existed in their family at that time.

In 2010 and 2013, the renowned British singer David Furnish became a father to sons Zachary and Elijah through the help of a surrogate mother.

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David Furnish, the famed British singer, welcomed his sons Zachary and Elijah in 2010 and 2013 respectively, with the assistance of a surrogate.

In the year 2013 and 2014, the host of The Tonight Show, along with his wife Nancy Juvonen, expanded their family through the use of a surrogate, welcoming their daughters Winnie and Frances into the world.

Actress famous for “Pitch Perfect” and her husband Max Handelman became parents to boys Felix and Magnus, who were born through a surrogate in the years 2011 and 2012 respectively.

In 2015, the highly private actress known for her role in Charlie’s Angels revealed the arrival of her son, Rockwell Lloyd Liu, through a surrogacy process.

The Latin performer became a father to twins Matteo and Valentino in 2008. 

In 2013 and 2016, the star of the Fast & Furious films, Andrew Form (then his husband), expanded their family through surrogacy by welcoming boys Julian and Rowan into their lives.

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Andrew Form, a prominent actor from the Fast and Furious series, welcomed sons Julian and Rowan in 2013 and 2016 respectively, with the help of a surrogate.

Back in 2014, the star of Grey’s Anatomy and her husband Chris Ivery announced the arrival of their daughter Sienna, who had been born via a surrogate. Prior to this, they had already welcomed their first child, a daughter named Stella, in 2009. In 2016, their family expanded again with the addition of their third child, son Eli.

In 2012 and 2014, the creator of Glee, David Miller, along with his spouse, became parents to sons Logan and Ford through a surrogate. The family then expanded in 2020 with the arrival of another son named Griffin.

George Lucas, the mind behind Star Wars, and his wife Mellody Hobson became parents to their first child, a daughter named Everest, through a surrogate in 2013.

In 2015, a year following my heart-wrenching miscarriage, I-Shayne Lamas, the beloved daughter of Lorenzo Lamas-was blessed with another precious addition to our family. Alongside my supportive husband Nik Richie, we welcomed our son Lyon into the world through the kindness of a surrogate, none other than my stepmother Shawna Craig. Our little miracle joined his big sister Press Dahl, enriching our lives even further.

Following years of challenges with fertility, the actress and her husband, Carter Oosterhouse, welcomed their daughter Flora into their family through a surrogate in December 2016.

In 2007, the famous actor from the show “Married…With Children,” known as Kurt Sutter, welcomed his daughter Esme Louise into the world through a surrogacy process.

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2025-08-19 21:17