Many in the entertainment world are dropping the platform
At the age of eight, Ice-T's parents passed away. The rapper was raised by his aunts afterwards.
The actor was adopted by his maternal grandmother following his parents' separation, when he was still a baby.
The political leader was adopted by Jongintaba Dalindyebo, who ruled the Tembu people in Mqhekezweni, when he was nine years old.
The artist was raised by his mother's sister, who began taking care of him after his father left the family. She was wealthier than the Lennons and had a significant impact on his musical taste.
When the future Apple co-founder was born, his mother had no support from family or a partner. She decided that adoption would be the best choice for her son.
The artist was born in Ripley, England. He was raised by his grandparents.
The actress was legally adopted by her stepfather when she was three years old.
The late actress was adopted by her stepfather following the death of her biological father, when she was three years old.
The Chicago-born actress was later adopted in Pittsburgh by a Canadian minister and nurse.
The Canadian vocalist was adopted by an American family shortly after she was born.
A few days after her birth, the singer was adopted by a Mississippi family.
Nicole Richie's biological parents were friends with Lionel Richie's family. When she was three years old, they let the Richie's adopt her as they did not have the financial means to raise her.
Alfred and Mary Liotta adopted the actor when he was six months old.
The actor and comedian was placed for adoption shortly after he was born.
The musician brought up by a family friend when he was in his infancy, and later accidentally found out that he was adopted.
The vocalist was adopted when she was two years old, after her biological father passed away.
Darryl McDaniels from Run-DMC discovered that his adopted parents were not his biological parents when he was a teenager.
Paul Gilbert, an actor and comedian, adopted Melissa when she was just one-day-old.
In his autobiography 'To Be the Man' the professional wrestler revealed that he was adopted by an American couple of German descent, shortly after he was born.
At the age of seven, the upcoming baseball sensation was placed in an orphanage, where he spent part of his childhood.
Following her mother's mental health diagnosis and being deemed unfit to care for her children, the actress found a new family when she was adopted by Albert and Ida Bolender from Hawthorne, California.
The ex-American football player was adopted at the age of 17, having previously lived in foster homes and occasionally being homeless.
The TV personality was born in Santiago, Chile, and was adopted when she was young.
Following his parents' divorce at the age of 10, the former basketball player was brought up by an adoptive mother.
Clinton was born to a mother who was widowed, then sent to live with his grandparents. He is one of just two presidents in the history of the United States who were adopted (Gerald Ford being the other).
The author's parents split when he was a child. Afterwards, his mother's family cared for him for several years.
The former pro cyclist was adopted by his stepfather at the age of three.
Miley Cyrus' maternal sibling was adopted by his stepfather at the age of four.
See also: Famous people who picked careers their parents disapproved of
Adoption is more common than many people realize. Chances are, you already know at least one person who has been adopted: or you will at some point in your lifetime. Similarly, many celebrities have been adopted too—being famous doesn't mean you're exempt from the reality of adoption.
Curious? Click on the gallery to learn about famous individuals who were adopted at a young age.
Famous figures who were adopted
You might be surprised by some of the names on this list
CELEBRITY Adoption
Adoption is more common than many people realize. Chances are, you already know at least one person who has been adopted: or you will at some point in your lifetime. Similarly, many celebrities have been adopted too—being famous doesn't mean you're exempt from the reality of adoption.
Curious? Click on the gallery to learn about famous individuals who were adopted at a young age.