In a heartwarming announcement that has sent waves of joy through their global fanbase, Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown and her husband, Jake Bongiovi, have welcomed their first child together. The couple, who tied the knot in a private ceremony in May 2024, shared the exciting news on Instagram on August 21, 2025, revealing that they adopted a baby girl this summer. The postIJ post, accompanied by an illustration of a willow tree and the Beatles’ Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da playing in the background, read: “This summer, we welcomed our sweet baby girl through adoption. We are beyond excited to embark on this beautiful next chapter of parenthood in both peace and privacy. And then there were 3. Love, Millie and Jake Bongiovi.” This milestone marks a new chapter for the young couple, whose love story has captivated fans since they first sparked romance rumors in 2021. As they step into parenthood, let’s dive into their journey, the significance of their adoption, and what this means for their future.
Millie Bobby Brown, now 21, rose to fame as Eleven in Netflix’s sci-fi phenomenon Stranger Things, earning critical acclaim and two Primetime Emmy nominations for her portrayal of the telekinetic teen. Her career has since soared with starring roles in Enola Holmes, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, and Damsel, alongside her ventures as a producer and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. Jake Bongiovi, 23, son of rock legend Jon Bon Jovi, is carving his own path as an actor and model, with credits in films like Sweethearts and Rockbottom. The couple’s relationship, which began through Instagram connections in 2021, blossomed from friendship to romance, culminating in a whirlwind engagement in April 2023 and a secret wedding in May 2024, followed by a lavish celebration at Villa Cetinale in Italy. Their adoption announcement, just 15 months after their nuptials, underscores their commitment to building a family, a dream Brown has long expressed.
The decision to adopt reflects the couple’s shared values and vision for their future. Brown, one of four children, and Bongiovi, also from a family of four, have been vocal about wanting a large family. In a March 2025 appearance on the Smartless podcast, Brown shared that her parents had her mother’s first child at 21 and her father at 19, inspiring her lifelong desire to become a mother young. “Since I was a baby, I told my mom, like, with baby dolls, I wanted to be a mom just like the way my mom was to me,” she said. She emphasized that she sees no difference between biological children and adoption, a sentiment echoed in her Call Her Daddy podcast interview, where she spoke of shaving her head as a symbolic act of embracing motherhood—a ritual she may revisit. Bongiovi, supportive of her aspirations, insisted on marriage before starting a family, a condition met with their 2024 wedding.
The couple’s Instagram post, signed “And then there were 3,” hints at the joy and intimacy of their new family dynamic. While they’ve kept details private, including the baby’s name and exact adoption date, glimpses of their life offer clues. A July 20 Instagram post from Brown, captioned “helluva summer thus far,” showed Bongiovi pushing a stroller, suggesting the adoption occurred earlier in the summer. The couple, based in Georgia, already share a vibrant household with over 60 pets, including dogs, cats, and farm animals like donkeys named Bernard, Betsy, and Florence June Bongiovi. This menagerie, described by Brown as “loud, messy, and chaotic” in a Vanity Fair interview, reflects the lively environment their daughter will grow up in—a home filled with “laughter, passion, and excitement.”
The adoption announcement comes at a pivotal moment for Brown, who wrapped filming for Stranger Things Season 5, set to release in three parts starting November 26, 2025, and concluding on New Year’s Eve. As she bids farewell to Eleven, a role that defined her childhood, Brown is also preparing for Enola Holmes 3 and other Netflix projects like The Electric State. Her ability to balance a demanding career with personal milestones showcases her resilience, a quality she’s honed since facing online bullying and sexualization as a teen star. In a 2020 Instagram post on her 16th birthday, she addressed the “inaccuracy, inappropriate comments, sexualization, and unnecessary insults” that caused her pain, and in March 2025, she called out media outlets for body-shaming, asserting her right to evolve as an adult.
Bongiovi, too, has navigated public scrutiny as the son of a music icon. His acting career, though nascent, shows promise, with roles that highlight his charisma and ambition. Together, the couple has cultivated a grounded relationship, evident in their red carpet debut at the 2022 BAFTA Film Awards and shared moments at events like the Stranger Things Season 4 premiere. Their wedding, officiated by Brown’s Stranger Things co-star Matthew Modine, was a “low-key, romantic affair,” according to The Sun, attended by close family, including Jon Bon Jovi and his wife, Dorothea Hurley. A second ceremony in Italy, featuring Brown in a custom Galia Lahav gown, cemented their bond in front of loved ones.
The couple’s choice to adopt aligns with their desire for privacy and purpose. By requesting “peace and privacy” in their announcement, they signal a commitment to shielding their daughter from the spotlight that has followed Brown since age 12. Yet, Brown’s embrace of motherhood is already shaping her public persona. Hours after the announcement, Daily Mail published photos of her in the Hamptons, sporting a pink “Mother” sweatshirt by Mother Denim, paired with white jeans and a Louis Vuitton bag—a stylish nod to her new role. This sartorial choice reflects her confidence and joy, qualities that have defined her journey from a young actress to a multifaceted star.
The adoption also marks a milestone for the Bon Jovi family, with the baby girl being Jon Bon Jovi’s first grandchild. The rocker, who married young like his son, expressed pride in the couple’s union, calling their May 2024 wedding “absolutely fantastic” on BBC’s The One Show. The couple’s shared vision of a big family, rooted in their upbringing, suggests more children may follow, whether through adoption or otherwise. Brown’s openness to both paths underscores her belief in love over labels, a perspective that resonates in an era where family structures are increasingly diverse.
As they embark on this “beautiful next chapter,” Brown and Bongiovi are poised to navigate parenthood with the same unity they’ve shown in their relationship. Their story, from Instagram DMs to red carpet glamour to quiet moments with their daughter, is a testament to their resilience and authenticity. Fans, who’ve followed Brown’s evolution from a shaved-head tween in Stranger Things to a poised producer and now a mother, are eager to see how this role shapes her future. With Stranger Things concluding and new projects on the horizon, Brown’s life is a blend of professional triumphs and personal joys.
As the couple settles into life with their daughter, their Georgia farm—complete with donkeys, dogs, and a pony named Lemonade—offers a vibrant backdrop for their growing family. The adoption, a deeply personal choice, reflects their commitment to creating a legacy of love and empowerment. For Brown, who once told Wired that she and Bongiovi were “friends for a bit” before falling in love, this moment feels like a natural progression. As they embrace parenthood, Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi are not just starting a family—they’re redefining what it means to build one, with heart, intention, and a touch of chaos.
