Millie Bobby Brown Adopts Second Child, Highlights the Meaning of Adoptive Families

Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown and her husband, Jake Bongiovi, have reportedly added a new member to their family through the adoption of a second child. The news comes about a year after the couple announced the adoption of their first daughter.

A source cited by People said the couple, who married in 2024, have welcomed a second child. However, details about the child, including gender and name, have not been made public. Millie, 22, and Jake, 24, are known to be private about their personal lives, especially after becoming parents.

A clue about the new family member appeared in Millie's Instagram post on September 7. In a video taken while walking with alpacas in the Dolomites mountains in Italy, Millie appeared to be carrying their daughter, while Jake walked beside her with a baby carrier on his chest. However, the baby was not clearly visible.

The couple's decision to adopt is not new. In an interview on Kylie Kelce's Not Gonna Lie podcast in June, Millie revealed that adoption had been her dream since childhood. "I always wanted to adopt. It was part of my childhood dream. Every time at home, when I was five or six years old, my parents said, 'You have a baby doll.' Everything was adoption. I never had my own. And I never pretended to be pregnant," she said.

She added, "It's not because I didn't want it. Hopefully one day it will be in my future." Millie also studied social work and was interested in a course about adoption. "Adoption is love, adoption is forever," she stressed. "I loved the adoption aspect of my social work course... it was very meaningful and important. I also learned about being a birth mother and what that journey is like. So my husband and I spent a lot of time focusing on that story and journey. Then we started it."

"We are all mothers, whether adoptive mothers, biological mothers, or mother figures. Everyone should be celebrated. We are raising the next generation. So, of course, women should be celebrated in every way, every day." - Millie Bobby Brown

Millie made the statement to Extra in May, emphasizing her view that every woman who raises a child deserves appreciation, regardless of how they build their family. She also said she is proud to be an adoptive mother and wants all mothers to be celebrated.

In Indonesia, adoption remains a topic rarely discussed openly. Data from the Ministry of Social Affairs shows that the number of child adoptions in the country tends to fluctuate, with strict procedures and court permission required. Millie and Jake's story can serve as a reflection that adoption is a legal and loving choice, even though bureaucratic challenges and social stigma persist. For many couples in Indonesia, adoption is often a last resort after medical efforts, even though it could be a primary choice from the start.

The decision by global celebrities like Millie to adopt a child also has the potential to change how society views non-biological families. In the social media era, stories like this can broaden discussions about the definition of family and the role of adoptive parents. However, it is worth remembering that adoption is not merely a trend, but a lifelong commitment that requires mental, financial, and emotional readiness.

Going forward, the public is waiting to see whether Millie and Jake will be more open about their adoption process, or continue to guard their privacy as they have so far. Either way, their move adds to the long list of celebrities who have chosen adoption, while inspiring many people to consider the option. Will this wave trigger more adoption-friendly policy changes in various countries, including Indonesia?