Celebrities who tragically lost their children- The thought of losing a child is simply unbearable—a nightmare you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy. Sadly, however, there are many people whose worst nightmare became a reality, as is the case for these stars who lost those they loved the most. Click through the gallery to see which other celebrity parents have suffered the tragic loss of a child.
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Gary Sinise- Actor Gary Sinise shared the loss of his son, musician McCanna Anthony “Mac” Sinise, through a statement on Tuesday. Mac had been battling spinal cancer since 2018, but sadly passed away on January 5, 2024, at the age of 33. Despite the fact that he was paralyzed from the chest down by the disease, Sinise revealed that Mac had been working on an album before his death, and managed to complete it with the help of other musicians before he passed away. 'Resurrection & Revival' went to press the week he died. "Thank you, Mac," Sinise wrote. "You did it. Resurrection & Revival will live on. And so will you. In our hearts forever. We were blessed to have you in our lives as son, brother, and friend…and we will miss you and love you for eternity."
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Sinéad O'Connor- Sinead O'Connor lost her 17-year-old son, who took his own life after running away from a hospital in Ireland in 2022. O'Connor announced the loss of her second youngest child on Twitter:" My beautiful son, Nevi'im Nesta Ali Shane O'Connor, the very light of my life, decided to end his earthly struggle today and is now with God," she wrote on January 7. "May he rest in peace and may no one follow his example. My baby. I love you so much. Please be at peace." Sadly, O'Connor died too not long after. On July 26, 2023, her family shared the news that the legendary singer had passed away.
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Ray Lewis- The Hall of Famer's son was just 28 years old when news of his death broke on June 15, 2023. The younger Lewis's brother, Rahsaan Lewis, shared a tribute to his brother on social media. "Really can't believe I'm even typing this but RIP big brother," he wrote. "A true angel I pray (you're) at peace now because ik how much you was (really) hurtin ... I love you I love you I love you." Lewis III played college football for the University of Miami just like his father, and later played for Coastal Carolina and Virginia Union. His cause of death was ruled an accidental overdose.
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Rickey Smiley- Comedian Rickey Smiley lost his oldest son Brandon Smiley, who was also a comic. Rickey took to Instagram on January 29, 2023, to share the tragic news in a heartbreaking video. "I just had bad news this morning," he began. "My son, Brandon Smiley, has passed away this morning." Rickey asked people to pray for him and his family, specifically for Brandon's mother and four siblings, and his three-year-old daughter. He later revealed that his son died of an overdose.
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Tina Turner- Tina Turner lost her youngest biological son, Ronnie Turner, who died at the age of 62 due to complications from colon cancer. The late music legend shared a black-and-white portrait of herself in mourning on Instagram on December 9, 2022, and wrote, "Ronnie, you left the world far too early. In sorrow, I close my eyes and think of you, my beloved son.” This was the second child she lost, after her other son Craig took his own life in 2018. Turner passed away herself on May 24, 2023.
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Davido- The Nigerian Afrobeats star Davido lost his three-year-old son in what appears to be a tragic drowning. The incident occurred in the pool at the musician's Lagos home on October 31, 2023. Emergency services received a call from domestic staff at the house at around 22:00 pm local time and were unable to save the child's life. The eight members of staff working in the house at the time were taken in for questioning.
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Tim Roth- British Actor Tim Roth and his family released a statement to the media on October 31, 2022, revealing that they had lost their 25-year-old son Cormac to cancer. The young composer and guitarist received a diagnosis of stage 3 germ cell cancer a year earlier and battled the disease courageously, but eventually succumbed and "died peacefully in the arms of his family who loved and adored him" on October 16. “He was a wild and electric ball of energy and his spirit was filled with light and goodness,” the statement read. “As wild as he was, Cormac was also the embodiment of kindness. A gentle soul who brought so much happiness and hope to those around him."
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Lisa Marie Presley- The late Lisa Marie Presley, the only child of Elvis Presley, lost her son Benjamin Keough. The 27-year-old took his own life on July 12, 2020, and two years later Presley opened up about the devastating grief she had carried ever since. She penned an open letter about her experience in honor of National Grief Awareness with the intention of helping others who are going through a similar loss. "I can understand why people may want to avoid you once a terrible tragedy has struck. Especially a parent losing their child because it is truly your worst nightmare," she wrote, recalling how she had avoided people who had lost children in the past because they represented her greatest fear. Presley also spoke about the intense guilt she felt over her son's death. "I already battle with and beat myself up tirelessly and chronically, blaming myself every single day and that's hard enough to now live with, but others will judge and blame you too, even secretly or behind your back which is even more cruel and painful on top of everything else." She shared how attending and hosting support groups helped her, and urged those who know someone who lost a child to keep reaching out to them. Lisa Marie died on January 12, 2023.
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Nick Cannon- During an episode of his talk show in December 2021, Cannon shared that his youngest child had passed away. His five-month-old son Zen had been suffering from a rare illness. "Over the weekend I lost my youngest son to a condition called hydrocephalus that was pretty much a malignant, invasive midline brain tumor, brain cancer." Cannon also revealed that he had gotten to spend the weekend with his son and said "not only did we get to see the sun rise, we got to see the sun set." He shared Zen with the model Alyssa Scott, one of several women he has fathered children with in recent years.
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Sylvester Stallone- Action-movie star Sylvester Stallone had to deal with a tragic death in the family as well.
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Sylvester Stallone- His son Sage died of a heart attack at age 36. Sage was also an actor and is seen here with his father on the set of 'Rocky V' (1990), where they portrayed father and son.
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John Travolta- The actor is another father who had to go through a parent’s worst nightmare.
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John Travolta- He lost his 16-year-old son, Jett, in 2009, after he suffered a seizure.
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Jack and Kristina Wagner- 'General Hospital' stars Jack and Kristina Wagner suffered the loss of their son Harrison, whose body was found in a parking lot on June 6, according to a report from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. His family later revealed that "he ultimately lost his battle with addiction." Jack and Kristina tied the knot in 1993 and split in 2006, but have remained friendly throughout the years. Jack went on to star in 'Melrose Place,' 'The Bold and the Beautiful,' and 'When Calls the Heart.' The former couple also shares son Peter, and Jack has a daughter from a previous relationship.
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Master P- Rapper and entrepreneur Master P lost daughter Tytyana Miller at the age of 25 in 2022. "Our family is dealing with an overwhelming grief for the loss of my daughter Tytyana,” he wrote on Instagram. “We respectfully request some privacy so that our family can grieve. We appreciate all of the prayers love and support." Though the cause of death was not disclosed, he added, "Mental illness & substance abuse is a real issue that we can’t be afraid to talk about. With God, we will get through this. #MyAngel.”
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Nick Cave- Australian musician Nick Cave lost his son Jethro Lazenby, who died at 31 years old in 2022. The frontman of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds confirmed the sad news in a statement to NBC through his manager Brian Message, which read: "With much sadness, I can confirm that my son, Jethro, has passed away. We would be grateful for family privacy at this time." No cause of death has been released. Lazenby had been rising in the world of fashion, walking the runway for major fashion houses, and also landing some film roles. He'd also had several run-ins with law enforcement, serving jail time in 2018 after a series of violent assaults on his then-girlfriend, and going back to jail in 2022 after admitting to attacking his mother. Just days before his death, he had been released on bail from Melbourne Remand Centre after a judge ordered him to undergo substance abuse treatment, BBC reported. At the time, his lawyer said that Lazenby had been diagnosed with schizophrenia. Cave's loss comes seven years after his other son Arthur, whom he shared with model Susie Bick, died at 15 years old after falling from a cliff in Brighton, England.
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Brooke Bailey- Brooke Bailey, known for appearing on reality series 'Basketball Wives,' tragically lost her daughter Kayla, who died at the age of just 25. Bailey took to Instagram to share the terrible news, and wrote, "Forever my baby, Pretty Black aka Kayla Nicole Bailey. This is not a goodbye. Mommy will see you soon,” alongside a series of photos of her daughter. After receiving waves of support, the reality star wrote on her Stories, "The love and support my family has received today is unreal and so appreciated.”
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Cristiano Ronaldo- Cristiano Ronaldo and girlfriend Georgina Rodríguez announced on April 18, 2022, with a heartbreaking post on social media that one of their newborn twins, whom they announced they were expecting back in October, had died. "It is with our deepest sadness we have to announce that our baby boy has passed away. It is the greatest pain that any parents can feel," Ronaldo wrote. "Only the birth of our baby girl gives us the strength to live this moment with some hope and happiness." He thanked their doctors and nurses for "all their expert care and support," and added, "We are all devastated at this loss and we kindly ask for privacy at this very difficult time. Our baby boy, you are our angel. We will always love you." Both he and Rodríguez signed the note.
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Jane Campion- 'Power of the Dog' director Jane Campion opened up to Vanity Fair, in a profile published March 7 2022, about losing her baby son when he was just two weeks old. It was less than a year before her 1994 Oscar win for Best Original Screenplay for her work on the Holly Hunter drama 'The Piano,' and a very emotionally charged time. "I just couldn’t do anything; I was stunned by the grief experience, and I just couldn’t work." The filmmaker, who took a break from working from 1993 to 1996, added, "It's the most humanizing experience I’ve had. You feel solidarity with everybody else that’s expressing grief. You can never turn your head away from somebody who’s suffering because you really know that it’s a club." The 2022 Oscar winner continued, “I think most of my work comes from that part of me, which is, I’m not really in control of emotion or anything else. It’s a sort of psyche truth.”
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Satya Nadella- Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and his wife Anu lost their son Zain, who died at the age of 26. "Very sadly Satya's son Zain Nadella has passed away," a Microsoft spokesperson told PEOPLE in a statement. "The Nadellas are taking time to grieve privately as a family."Zain was born with cerebral palsy and required specialized, around-the-clock care after experiencing asphyxiation in utero and being born weighing just 3 lbs. He communicated nonverbally and used a wheelchair, and his father often spoke about how he learned many lessons about resiliency from him. Jeff Sperring, CEO of Seattle Children's Hospital where Zain received treatment throughout his life, wrote in a message shared with Microsoft executives: "Zain will be remembered for his eclectic taste in music, his bright sunny smile and the immense joy he brought to his family and all those who loved him," Bloomberg reports.
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Michael Madsen- 'Reservoir Dogs' and 'Kill Bill' star Michael Madsen and his family lost their son Hudson Madsen, who was also filmmaker Quentin Tarantino’s godson. Hudson was only 26 when he reportedly took his own life. “We are heartbroken and overwhelmed with grief and pain at the loss of Hudson,” the Madsen family said on January 25 2022 in a statement to Metro.“His memory and light will be remembered by all who knew and loved him. We ask for privacy and respect during this difficult time. Thank you.”
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Regina King- Regina King faced an immense loss as her son, Ian Alexander Jr., took his own life shortly after his 26th birthday in January 2022, People reports. Alexander Jr. was King's only child, whom she shared with her ex-husband, record producer Ian Alexander Sr."Our family is devastated at the deepest level by the loss of Ian," King said in a statement. "He is such a bright light who cared so deeply about the happiness of others. Our family asks for respectful consideration during this private time. Thank you." Alexander Jr. was a musician and a DJ, and he and King had a very close bond that they showed freely on social media. They even both got matching tattoos, which read "unconditional love" in Aramaic.
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Chris Daughtry- Chris Daughtry lost his 25-year-old stepdaughter, Hannah Price, in November of 2021. The singer canceled his tour dates and took time to grieve with his family. There was speculation about the nature of Price's passing but the cause of death wasn't released at the time. On January 18, the family released a statement confirming that Price took her own life while under the influence of drugs. The statement went into detail explaining that Price had struggled with mental illness throughout her life and turned to substance abuse as she grew older. She often found herself in abusive relationships despite her family's efforts to get her the help she needed. The statement concluded, "Hannah was a generous and loving person who wanted more for herself and others. She will forever be in the hearts and minds of those of us who love her. We ask for continued privacy at this time while we grieve." Daughtry married Price's mother in 2000 and was stepfather to her for most of her life.
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Bobby Brown- Bobby Brown faced yet another tragic loss. After losing his ex-wife Whitney Houston in 2012 and their daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown in 2015, he lost his 28-year-old son Bobby Brown Jr. He was found dead in his Los Angeles home in November 2021, reportedly after an accidental overdose.
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Robert Redford- Hollywood legend Robert Redford lost his 58-year-old son James Redford, a documentary filmmaker and co-founder of The Sundance Institute, to bile-duct cancer in his liver. Robert had previously lost another son (his first, Scott) to sudden infant death syndrome at two and a half months in 1959.
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Melissa Etheridge- Musician Melissa Etheridge's son Beckett Cypher, whom she had with her ex Julie Cypher, died from an opioid overdose at the age of 21 in 2021. "My heart is broken," Etheridge wrote on social media.
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Eric Clapton- The guitarist andsingerhad to deal with a devastating loss in his life.
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Eric Clapton- His son Connor, aged 4, fell out of the window of a New York building where he lived with his mother, Lory Del Santo. Clapton's hit song 'Tears in Heaven' is about Connor.
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Prince- Prince is still one of the most important musicians in the history of music.
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Prince- He married Mayte Garcia, who gave birth to their son Boy George Nelson. Sadly, thebaby was born with Pfeiffer Syndrome, and died one week later.
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Vanessa Redgrave- The award-winning actress is well-known for her prolific career. However, she also had to overcome a tragic death in her family.
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Vanessa Redgrave- Her daughter and fellow actress Natasha Richardson (wife of Liam Neeson) died in 2009 in a skiing accident at the age of 45.
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Mike Tyson- The boxer's private and public life has not always been easy.
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Mike Tyson- His four-year-old daughter Exodus died of accidental asphyxiation back in 2009.
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Charlie Chaplin- Sir Charles Spencer "Charlie" Chaplin had to cope with the death of two sons.
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Charlie Chaplin- His first child, Norman Spencer Chaplin, died three days after he was born. Then, his son, and fellow actor, Charlie Chaplin Jr., aged 42, died of a blood clot in a lung in 1968.
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Anna Nicole Smith- The model, actress, and 1993 Playmate of the Year had a turbulent life.
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Anna Nicole Smith- However, the low point might have been when she lost her beloved 20-year-old son, Daniel. He died of an overdose. His mother was devastated, and she also died of an alleged overdose five months later.
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Marie Osmond- Singer, actress, and host Marie Osmond had to cope with a tragic loss too.
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Marie Osmond- In February 2010, her adopted son, Michael, took his own life by jumping out of a window on the eighth floor of a building.
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Dr. Dre- RapperDr. Dre has had a wonderful career, starting in the late ’80s.
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Dr. Dre- However, he is another parent who suffered a devastating loss. His 20-year-old son, Andre Young Jr., was found dead due to an overdose on heroin and morphine.
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Marlon Brando- The unforgettable actor is another star who had to deal with a shocking death.
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Marlon Brando- Cheyenne, Marlon Brando's daughter from his third wife, hanged herself at her mother’s house in Tahiti. A few years prior, her half-brother, Christian Brando, had killed her boyfriend at their father's home after she claimed he was abusive.
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Paul Newman- Academy Award-winning actor Paul Newman lost his only son in 1978.
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Paul Newman- Actor Scott Newman, aged 28, died of a drug overdose (valium and painkillers) after hesuffered a motorcycle accident.
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Vince Neil- Vince Neil is another musician who had to cope with the death of his child, in this case his daughter.
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Iyanla Vanzant- Superstar life coach and author Iyanla Vanzant shared the tragic news that she lost her daughter, Nisa Vanzant, on July 31, 2023, at the age of 49. "It is with great sorrow that we announce the transition of Nisa Vanzant, the youngest daughter of our Beloved Iyanla Vanzant," read a statement on Vanzant's Instagram. "We are asking for your prayers. Please respect the privacy of her and her family at this time. Thank you." The cause of Nisa's death has not yet been shared. Sadly, this is the second time Vanzant has lost a child. Her eldest daughter, Gemmia, passed away after a battle with colon cancer in 2003. Speaking about that loss in 2021, Vanzant said, "It changed who I was as a woman, first for the worse and then for the better." She continued, "God must’ve really, really trusted me to give me a soul to bring into life, and to trust me with the courage to send her out.”
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Vince Neil- Skyler Neil passed away at the age of four. She had stomach cancer.
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Johnny Carson- Despite being a brilliant TV host and comedian, Johnny Carson was referred to as "the most private public man who ever lived.”
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Johnny Carson- He is another parent who tragically lost his son. Richard, aged 21, died in a car accident in 1991.
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Rob Delaney- Another famous comedian, another father who tragically lost his child.
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Rob Delaney- Rob Delaney lost his son in 2018. Henry, aged 2, died of a brain tumor. See also: Celebrities who tragically lost family members.
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