They’re rich, famous, talented — and they’re proud grandparents.
For celebrities like Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, Kid Rock, and Gayle King success pales in comparison to their role as grandparent, even if some opt for more creative titles than “grandma” or “grandpa” within their famous families: Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones goes by “Mick,” Kris Jenner is referred to as “Lovey,” and Susan Sarandon’s granddaughter has nicknamed her “Honey.” It may also not surprise you that such unconventional grandparents aren’t spending time knitting or baking cookies — they are running global empires, traveling the world, creating art, and some still have time for romance (We’re looking at you, Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell!). If that’s not “grandparent goals,” we don’t know what is.
In case you didn’t realize it, grandparents are getting cooler by the day — according to a study of 1,500 people conducted exclusively by Good Housekeeping, grandparents don’t want to be seen as “old.” In fact, the research found that 68 percent would describe themselves as “cooler” than their own, while 81 percent believe that social media makes them closer with their grandchildren (with their habits increasing since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic). The study also pointed out that many grandparents have taken on the full-time task of raising their grandchildren. In other words, expectations of grandparents have evolved way past rocking chairs and bingo.
OK, we are officially inspired. Read on for a compilation of celebrity grandparents who defy their age in body, mind, and spirit.
Goldie Hawn & Kurt Russell Bring the Christmas Magic
Actors Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, who share children Kate Hudson, Oliver Hudson, Boston Russell, and Wyatt Russell are blessed with multiple grandkids. And to call this longtime couple fun would be an understatement — the duo played Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus in both installments of The Christmas Chronicles film. That’s right, this grandpa actually is Santa.
Gayle King Has Oprah On Speed Dial
“CBS This Morning” host Gayle King became a grandmother in 2021 — a title she’s wanted for a very long time — when her daughter Kirby Bumpus and son-in-law Virgil Miller welcomed a son named Luca. “He’s very, very cute, so congratulations to my favorite daughter, my favorite son-in-law,” King said on-air. “Now I have a favorite grandson! I’m over the moon.” King is still deciding on an official nickname, although she’s favored “Gaia,” despite her BFF Oprah believing it’s too “pretentious,” as the journalist revealed. FWIW, we love it!
Tony Bennett Makes Music With Lady Gaga
It’s cool enough having jazz icon Tony Bennett as your grandfather, but in recent years he’s gotten even cooler with the release of two albums recorded with Lady Gaga.
Martha Stewart Is BFF with Snoop Dogg
It goes without saying that Martha Stewart brings a great craft-and-snack game but this grandma is also BFF with rapper Snoop Dogg (who is a grandfather himself). Can’t get cooler than that!
Steven Tyler is a Rockin’ Grandpa
Between his four children — Liv Tyler, Mia Tyler, Chelsea Tyler, and Taj Tallarico — rocker Steven Tyler has five grandchildren. And in 2019, he revealed to Us Weekly that their favorite place to hang out is the indoor pool he once built for his own children. “I don’t want the kids out on the street smoking weed, so I built an indoor pool to protect them,” Steven told the outlet. And as his grandchildren grow up, we’re guessing their hobbies will include attending Aerosmith concerts. Lucky kids!
Don’t Call Mick Jagger ‘Grandpa’
Rolling Stones lead singer Mick Jagger has eight children and five grandchildren and two great-greatchildren. But the rock star doesn’t go by “Grandpa” — his granddaughter Assisi Jackson once told Hello! that she simply calls him “Mick.”
Kris Jenner Runs a Reality Empire
Few grandparents are as busy as Kris Jenner. The mother of six kids (Kim Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian, Rob Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, and Kendall Jenner) is also a grandmother to 10 grandkids (with an 11th on the way, courtesy of Kylie!). In between running countless companies and making time for a romance with boyfriend Corey Gamble, this grandma doesn’t quit!
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson Are Self-Proclaimed “Cool Grandparents”
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson have declared themselves “the cool grandparents” and we’re not here to argue. “When you have grandkids, if you’re with one of them — or all three of them — look, there’s no book, no radio, no TV. You’re going to be entertained by them every moment that you’re there,” Hanks told Entertainment Tonight in 2017. “Sit back and watch the show!”
Although he added, “I think they just put up with us.”
Susan Sarandon Has a Hip Nickname
In 2016, Susan Sarandon, the mother of actress Eva Amurri Martino, revealed that her granddaughter, then 2-years-old, nicknamed her “Honey.” If that doesn’t say “hip grandma,” we’re not sure what does.
Kid Rock Is a Goofy Grandparent
It might surprise you to know that Kid Rock has a granddaughter, likely because he’s keeps his family life priviate. But when he’s not tearing it up on stage, the rocker (whose real name is Robert James Ritchie) is spending time with his granddaughter Skye. In 2019, Kid Rock shared an Instagram photo of the pair posing with Mickey and Minnie Mouse. “Does not get any better than Disney World with your granddaughter!” he captioned his post.
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