The gift of family is an indescribable bond.
There is something so valuable about this special kind love that comes in all shapes and sizes. There are a few unique ways to expand this close circle, and one of those methods is through adoption.
With National Adoption Day Nov. 21, it's the perfect time to highlight several celebrities who have chosen this life-changing process.
In 2017, country star Thomas Rhett and his wife, Lauren Akins, adopted a special member of their family from Uganda—affectionately, an 18-month-old baby girl named Will Gray Akins.
"The word 'adopted' doesn't even make sense in my head anymore really," the "Die A Happy Man" singer said in an interview with People. "I know that it happened and I remember it very vividly, but it kind of feels like she has just always been here. Even though Willa Gray comes from [a] whole different part of the world, she's ours and it feels like she never wasn't."
Several other stars have also grown their families this way, including Angelina Jolie, Hugh Jackman, Viola Davis and Hoda Kotb to name a few.
Now more than ever, it's so important to be grateful for family and our loved ones. To see all of the celebrities who have expanded their special families through adoption, keep scrolling below!
Thomas Rhett
The "Die a Happy Man" singer and his wife Lauren Akins adopted their daughter Willa Gray from Uganda in 2017. They went on to welcome kids Ada James, Lennon Love, and Lillie Carolina.
Neve Campbell
The Scream star and her partner JJ Feild announced in June 2018 that they adopted a baby boy named Raynor, who joined big brother Caspian.
Hoda Kotb
The Today co-anchor adopted a daughter named Haley Joy in February 2017. Two years later, she announced the adoption of her second daughter Hope Catherine.
Brandi Redmond
The Real Housewives of Dallas alum adopted a baby boy named Bruin in 2018. She is also mom to daughters Brooklyn, Brinkley and Brilynn.
Sia
In 2019, the "Chandelier" singer adopted two teenage boys who she said were "aging out of the foster care system."
Jillian Michaels
In 2012, the fitness guru and her then-partner Heidi Rhoades adopted a daughter named Lukensia from Haiti. That same year, Heidi gave birth to their Phoenix.
Sandra Bullock
The Oscar winner first adopted son Louis in 2010 from New Orleans. She continued to spread the love and expanded her family in 2015 by adopting a daughter named Laila from the Louisiana foster care system.
Mariska Hargitay
The Law & Order: SVU actress and her husband Peter Hermann adopted two children in 2011: a girl named Amaya and a boy named Andrew. The couple also share son August.
Hugh Jackman
His X-Men character Wolverine may have claws of adamantium, but the actor proved he has a heart of gold when he and ex Deborra-Lee Furness adopted son Oscar and daughter Ava in 2000 and 2005, respectively.
Viola Davis
The How to Get Away With Murder star and her husband Julius Tennon adopted daughter Genesis in 2011.
Charlize Theron
The Mad Max: Fury Road star adopted daughter Jackson from South Africa in 2012. She grew her family again when she adopted daughter August in 2015.
Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt
The former couple share three adopted children: sons Maddox and Pax as well as daughter Zahara. They also have three biological children together: daughter Shiloh and fraternal twins Vivienne and Knox.
Kristin Davis
Just like her Sex and the City character Charlotte York, the actress adopted baby girl Gemma Rose in 2011. She adopted her second child—a son named Wilson Davis—in 2018.
Denise Richards
After having two girls Sami and Lola with ex-husband Charlie Sheen, the Wild Things star decided to add one more daughter to her brood and adopted Eloise in 2011.
Katherine Heigl
The 27 Dresses actress and husband Josh Kelley adopted baby girl Nancy Leigh from South Korea in 2009. The couple later welcomed another daughter, Adalaide Marie, into the family in 2012.
Meg Ryan
You could say it was true love when the actress met daughter Daisy True, who she adopted from China in 2006. Meg is also mom to Jack Quaid, who she shares with Dennis Quaid.
Calista Flockhart
The Ally McBeal alum adopted son Liam in 2001. She and husband Harrison Ford—whom she married in 2010—now both share parenting duties.
Sharon Stone
The basic instinct of motherhood led the actress to adopt three boys. She welcomed son Roan in 2000 with ex-husband Phil Bronstein. After their divorce in 2004, sons Laird and Quinn were adopted in 2005 and 2006, respectively.
Sheryl Crow
The "Soak Up the Sun" singer became mom to son Wyatt in 2007 and son Levi in 2010. The trio has been making beautiful music together ever since.
Mary-Louise Parker
The Weeds alum provided some solid roots for her daughter Caroline, who was adopted from Ethiopia in 2007. The Emmy winner also has a biological son named William with actor Billy Crudup.
Madonna
The "Material Girl" singer has adopted three children: son David and twins Stella and Estere. She also shares daughter Lourdes with ex Carlos Leon, as well as son Rocco with ex-husband Guy Ritchie.
Jamie Lee Curtis
The Scream Queens actress has two adopted children with husband Christopher Guest: daughters Ruby and Annie.
Connie Britton
The Nashville star adopted son Yoby from Ethiopia in 2011.
Nicole Kidmam & Tom Cruise
The former couple shares two adopted kids: daughter Isabella and son Connor. After their 2021 divorce, Nicole went on to welcome daughters Sunday and Faith with husbnd Keith Urban.
Lionel Richie
The singer-songwriter and ex-wife Brenda Harvey informally adopted daughter Nicole Richie in 1983 when she was 2 years old. They made the process official when she was 9.
Julie Andrews
The Sound of Music actress and her late husband Blake Edwards adopted daughters Amy and Joanna in 1974 and 1975, respectively.
Edie Falco
The Nurse Jackie star is a mother to two adopted kids. She welcomed son Anderson into the family in 2005 and daughter Macy in 2008.
Ewan McGregor
The Moulin Rouge actor and his ex-wife Eve Mavrakis adopted Jamyan in 2006 and Anouk in 2011. They also share daughters Clara and Esther, while Ewan is dad to son Laurie with his Fargo costar Mary Elizabeth Winstead.
Cate Blanchett
The Oscar winner and husband Andrew Upton have four children together. The couple share three biological sons named Dashiell, Roman and Ignatius and an adopted daughter named Edith.
Nia Vardalos
The My Big Fat Greek Wedding star and ex-husband Ian Gomez adopted their daughter Ilaria in 2008.