Millie Bobby Brown, the globally recognized star of the Netflix phenomenon Stranger Things, has expanded her family once again. At 22, the actress and her husband, 24-year-old Jake Bongiovi, have officially welcomed their second child via adoption. The news was confirmed on Thursday by sources close to the couple, marking another significant milestone in their high-profile relationship. This addition comes less than a year after the couple’s lavish wedding in Italy and underscores a commitment to parenthood that Brown has voiced since the earliest stages of her career.
The confirmation follows weeks of speculation among fans and followers after Brown shared glimpses of a family getaway in the Italian Dolomites earlier this month. In a video posted to her Instagram account, Brown and Bongiovi were seen navigating the scenic terrain of the Italian Alps. The footage featured the couple walking alongside alpacas, with Brown carrying their older daughter while Bongiovi wore a baby carrier strapped to his chest. While the video did not explicitly announce a new arrival, the presence of the infant carrier sparked immediate discussion regarding a potential new addition to the Bongiovi-Brown household.
A Second Chapter in Parenthood
The couple’s journey into parenthood began in August 2023, when they welcomed their first child, a baby girl, also through adoption. At the time, the couple released a joint statement expressing their gratitude and their desire for a private family life. "This summer, we welcomed our sweet baby girl through adoption," they wrote. "We are beyond excited to embark on this beautiful next chapter of parenthood in both peace and privacy. And then there were three." Since that announcement, the couple has been steadfast in protecting their daughter’s identity, choosing not to share her name or face on social media platforms—a move increasingly common among Gen Z celebrities seeking to balance public personas with private boundaries.
The recent confirmation of their second adoption aligns with Brown’s long-standing advocacy for the practice. Representatives for the actress were contacted for further comment following the report from People, though a formal statement has yet to be issued. The couple’s decision to adopt a second child reflects a deliberate family-planning strategy that Brown has discussed in several recent interviews, emphasizing that for her, adoption is not a secondary choice but a primary dream.
The Roots of a Lifelong Dream
Millie Bobby Brown’s desire to adopt is not a recent development. During an appearance on Kylie Kelce’s Not Gonna Lie podcast in June 2024, the actress revealed that her interest in adoption dates back to her early childhood. She recounted how her play patterns as a five-year-old revolved around the concept of non-biological family structures.
"I always, always wanted to adopt," Brown told Kelce. "It was always part of my childhood dreams. Every time I was at home and I was, you know, five, six years old, my parents were like, ‘You had your baby dolls. They were all adopted.’ I never had any of them myself. And I never pretended I was pregnant."
Brown further explained that her educational pursuits have played a significant role in her approach to family. She noted that she had taken social work courses, which provided her with a deeper understanding of the complexities and the profound impact of the adoption process. "I loved the aspect of adoption in my social work courses… so meaningful and important," she shared. "And then I also learned about being a birth mother and what that journey is." This academic background reportedly informed the extensive discussions she and Bongiovi had before embarking on their journey to become parents.
Chronology of the Bongiovi-Brown Relationship
The relationship between Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi—the son of rock icon Jon Bon Jovi and Dorothea Hurley—has moved at a pace that has often been the subject of media commentary. The pair first began dating in 2021, quickly becoming one of Hollywood’s most watched young couples. They announced their engagement in April 2023, a move that prompted some public debate regarding their young ages.
However, the couple remained undeterred, frequently speaking about their "united front" on major life decisions. In a February 2025 interview with Vanity Fair, Brown reflected on the depth of their connection. "We talked about our political views, what kind of family we want to build, the kind of home we want to live in, the kind of relationship we’re looking for, the kind of careers we want," she said. "It’s such an important decision, and we wanted to make sure we were making the right one. I knew I was. It always felt right with him."
The couple officially tied the knot in May 2024. The ceremony was a private but lavish affair held at Villa Cetinale, a 17th-century Baroque villa in Tuscany, Italy. The wedding was attended by close family and friends, including Brown’s parents, Kelly and Robert, and the Bongiovi family. The choice of an Italian venue for their wedding appears to have established a lasting connection to the country, as evidenced by their recent return to the Dolomites for their summer vacation.
Balancing Stardom and Domesticity
The expansion of her family comes at a pivotal time in Brown’s professional career. Best known for her breakout role as Eleven in Stranger Things, she has spent nearly a decade in the global spotlight. The series, which became a cultural phenomenon, concluded its sixth and final season last year, freeing Brown to pursue more diverse projects in both acting and production.
Despite her immense success and the demands of her career, Brown has consistently prioritized her personal goals. Speaking on the Smartless podcast in March 2025, hosted by Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett, she addressed the perception of her age in relation to motherhood. "My mom actually had her first child at 21, and my dad was 19," she explained. "And you know, it’s been my thing since before I met Jake."
Brown emphasized that while establishing herself as an actor and producer is vital, the creation of a family is a personal necessity. She revealed that Bongiovi was supportive of her desire for a large family but insisted on marriage first. "Jake was like, we cannot do that until we get married. So that was his thing," she noted. With the marriage finalized and two children now in their care, the couple is well on their way to achieving the "big family" they both desire, as both come from households with four children.
Analysis: The Impact of High-Profile Adoption
The decision by Brown and Bongiovi to prioritize adoption has broader implications for public perception of the practice. While many celebrities turn to adoption or surrogacy later in life or after facing fertility challenges, Brown’s choice to adopt as a first and second option in her early 20s is relatively unique in the entertainment industry.
Industry analysts suggest that Brown’s openness about her social work studies and her philosophical approach to "non-biological" parenting may influence her Gen Z peers. By framing adoption as a "childhood dream" rather than a last resort, she contributes to a shift in how young people view family construction. Furthermore, her emphasis on "peace and privacy" serves as a blueprint for other high-profile families navigating the digital age.
The couple’s "open door" policy at home also reflects a modern approach to domestic life. Brown has described their household energy as welcoming and inclusive. "My home is full of love for anyone and anything," she said. "The door is always open, and we want everyone to feel really comfortable."
Future Outlook
As Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi settle into life as a family of four, the actress has indicated that her journey with biological motherhood may still lie ahead. In her interview with Kylie Kelce, she clarified that she intends to carry a child in the future. "It’s not because I don’t want that. Hopefully one day that’s in my future," she said.
For now, the focus remains on their two young daughters and the continued growth of their family unit. With Stranger Things concluded and her production company, PCMA Productions, expanding its slate, Brown is entering a new era of her life where her roles as a mother and a mogul appear to be equally prioritized. The Bongiovi-Brown family continues to maintain a residence that balances the bustle of London and New York with the quietude they clearly value, as demonstrated by their recent retreat to the Italian Alps.
The arrival of their second child marks the latest chapter in a story that has seen Millie Bobby Brown evolve from a child star into a determined young woman with a clear vision for her legacy, both on-screen and within the walls of her own home.

