As another school year comes to a close, a new group of graduates emerges into the world — and these celebrity parents couldn’t be prouder of the class of 2023!
For both high school and college, obtaining an educational degree is a major life milestone and accomplishment. Kimora Lee Simmons had not one but two of her kids graduate from college this year, and she was bursting with pride and joy for their achievements. “Mama is soooo proud of you!” the Baby Phat founder wrote to her eldest daughter, Ming, on Instagram after her commencement ceremony. The following weekend when her second oldest, Aoki, graduated, Simmons gushed, “Mama loves you soooo much my brainy beauty!”
Joanna Gaines was just as emotional when her eldest son Drake donned his cap and gown to collect his high school degree. “It feels like just yesterday that we were cheering him on as he took his first steps,” the HGTV star reminisced before adding, “We’re so proud of you, Drake.”
Every bit a doting dad, Sean Astin proved he’s the proudest papa of all as he celebrated his eldest daughter Ali obtaining her master’s degree. Attaching her thesis to a tweet and praising her for winning the Dean’s Prize for Outstanding Thesis in the Humanities, the Lord of the Rings alum tweeted, “#ProudestFatherEver I ❤️ you @AliAstin!!!”
Scroll on to see just how proud (and emotional!) each of these celebrity moms and dads are when it comes to their grown-up babies.
Laura Dern’s Daughter Jaya
Laura Dern was the sweetest emotional mom in a touching Instagram post she shared in honor of her daughter Jaya’s high school graduation. The Jurassic Park icon penned alongside photos from the commencement ceremony, “The most amazing milestone to experience. My baby graduated high school.”
She gave a touching shoutout to her daughter’s school “for being an extraordinary space that honors social justice as a core to curriculum and growing empathy,” as well as “all the teachers and administration for your profound gifts and influence.”
Dern concluded with a heartfelt message for her daughter: “Jaya. I’m so proud of you and your incredible heart and voice. I’m in awe of you.
Kimora Lee Simmons’ Daughters Aoki & Ming
Kimora Lee Simmons’ eldest kids, Aoki, 20, and Ming, 23, both graduated college this year. The fashion mogul congratulated her girls on Instagram, celebrating Ming’s accomplishment one weekend and Aoki’s the next.
“My 1st baby GRADUATED COLLEGE!” the Baby Phat founder wrote alongside photos and videos from Ming’s NYU ceremony. She added, “It’s been a journey and a labor of love but YOU DID IT! Mama is soooo proud of you!”
Sharing a similar post of photos and videos from Aoki’s graduation, Simmons gushed, “My baby girl is a HARVARD GRADUATE!!! AND with a double major! AND one of the youngest in recent history to do so at only 20 years young!” She added, “IM SO SO SOO PROUD! AND all the while carrying a full time job modeling! But YOU DID IT!-WE DID IT! Mama loves you soooo much my brainy beauty!”
Lebron James’ Son Bronny
Lebron James’ son Bronny graduated high school, and the basketball legend couldn’t be more proud. Sharing an assortment of photos and videos on Instagram, including a beautiful shot of his family, James wrote, “PROUD!!!! 🥺🥺🥺🙏🏾. CONGRATULATIONS & LOVE YOU KID! @bronny 👨🏾🎓👑”
Kelly Ripa & Mark Consuelos’ Daughter Lola
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos’ daughter Lola graduated from NYU this year. The 21-year-old, who is an aspiring singer, studied music and production at the storied university. Her famous parents celebrated her accomplishment on Instagram with a sweet video post.
Pierce Brosnan’s Son Paris
Pierce Brosnan celebrated his son’s college graduation with a touching Instagram post. “Dearest Paris, Heartfelt congratulations on your graduation from Loyola Marymount University School of Film & Television,” the James Bond icon wrote. “Go into the world with a brave heart and create stories that will make the world a better place.”
Brandy’s Daughter Sy’Rai
Brandy’s daughter Sy’Rai graduated from The Los Angeles Film School with an associate of science in music production, according to Essence. As an aspiring singer, her new degree will no doubt be of use!
Michelle & Barack Obama’s Daughter Sasha
The former president and first lady’s youngest daughter, Sasha, is officially a college grad! Barack, Michelle, and their eldest, Malia, were all in attendance at the University of Southern California commencement where Sasha obtained a bachelor’s degree in sociology.
Kevin Hart’s Daughter Heaven
Kevin Hart’s daughter Heaven graduated high school as salutatorian of her class. The comedian celebrated his eldest child’s achievement on Instagram, writing, “I am so proud of my little girl.”
Bill & Melinda Gates’ Daughter Jennifer
Bill and Melinda Gates’ daughter Jennifer graduated from Colombia with a master’s degree in public health. The 27-year-old wrote on Instagram alongside a family photo from graduation day, “Thank you @columbiapublichealth for this incredible educational opportunity and the village around me who made this possible. Grateful 🙏✨”
Chip & Joanna Gaines’ Son Drake
Chip and Joanna Gaines’ eldest child Drake graduated high school this year, and his mama celebrated his achievement with an emotional Instagram post.
Panning over an assortment of developed photos from memories of Drake’s childhood, the Fixer Upper star wrote, “It feels like just yesterday that we were cheering him on as he took his first steps…but last weekend, as he walked across the stage to receive his high school diploma (!!) we were cheering him on as he took his first steps into a world beyond what he’s known. We’re so proud of you, Drake. ❤️”
Sean Astin’s Daughter Ali
Sean Astin’s daughter Ali is a Harvard graduate! The 26-year-old obtained her master’s degree in dramatic arts and anthropology from the esteemed university, and the Stranger Things actor couldn’t be more proud.
Tweeting about his eldest child’s accomplishment, Astin wrote, “She won the Deans Prize for Outstanding Thesis in the Humanities attached here for your reading enjoyment.” Like a true hip dad, the Goonies alum adorably added, “She has the receipts & she blows my mind. #ProudestFatherEver I ❤️ you @AliAstin!!!”
Alex Rodriguez’s Daughter Natasha
In celebration of his daughter Natasha graduating high school, Alex Rodriguez sweetly wrote on Instagram, “Yesterday was bittersweet. Tashi, I can’t make time stand still, so my wish for you is to go out in the world with confidence, knowing your worth and believing in yourself.”
The baseball legend continued, “As you move on from one chapter to the next, I’m most proud of who you are as a person. Honest, kind, compassionate, intuitive and wise beyond your years.” Rodriguez emotionally added, “As your father, I’m supposed to be your role model. But for the last 18 years, you’ve been mine. Proud of you always!”
Jennie Garth & Peter Facinelli’s Daughter Luca
Jennie Garth and Peter Facinelli cheered on their daughter Luca during her college commencement ceremony at the New School. The Beverly Hills, 90210 alum celebrated the achievement on Instagram, writing, “So happy for my @lucabellabella as she completes a huge chapter in her life👩🎓. So much hard work paid off for this moment. I can’t wait to see what’s next for you my sweet❤️”
Marc Anthony’s Son Cristian
Marc Anthony’s son Cristian graduated from Parsons School of Design, and the singer celebrated the milestone achievement with a sweet post on Instagram. Alongside a few photos and videos, Anthony wrote, “I love my kids to the moon and back and we get to celebrate you today.”
Harrison Ford & Calista Flockhart’s Son Liam
Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart’s son Liam graduated from Amhurst College this spring — see photos of the 22-year-old at the ceremony with his parents HERE.
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