Mark Wahlberg’s daughter, Ella, just hit the big 2-2, and he couldn’t help but share a heartfelt moment from her past!
What You Should Know
- The actor took to Instagram for a sweet birthday shoutout to Ella.
- He posted a touching throwback pic to commemorate her special day.
- This day holds special meaning as it also marks the loss of his sister, creating a mix of feelings for the star.
Time flies, doesn’t it? It feels like just yesterday when Mark Wahlberg’s baby girl was, well, a baby! To celebrate her 22nd birthday, the 54-year-old actor shared an adorable throwback photo of Ella, showing her in her baby stage with a pacifier.
“Happy birthday, Ella! 🎉💞 I’m so proud of you!! 🙌💖🙌,” was the sweet caption Wahlberg added with the picture of him cradling little Ella.
His wife, Rhea Durham, chimed in too, expressing her excitement with a comment that read, “Our girl 🎊🎉❤️.”
In addition to Ella, the couple has three other kids—sons Michael, 19, and Brendan, 16, and daughter Grace, 15.
Mark has been open about how Ella’s birthday brings about mixed emotions. While it celebrates the day he became a dad, it is also a somber reminder of his sister Deborah’s unexpected passing from a heart attack at just 43.
When Ella turned 18 in 2021, he took to social media with another heartfelt message that also honored his late sister: “Happy B day my Ella ❤️🎂 18 years old 😱 wow how time flies. So proud of you!! It’s always a [bittersweet] day. Missing my big sister Debbie 😢 Ella’s Guardian angel. 🙌❤️🙏🏽,” he wrote alongside a couple of nostalgic images featuring Ella as a baby alongside his sister.
Currently, Ella is pursuing her studies at Clemson University in South Carolina, a long trip away from her family, who now reside in Nevada after moving in 2022.
“I strive to give my kids a better life, aimed at following their dreams—whether it’s Ella with her equestrian passion, Michael as a basketball player, or Brendan tackling golf. During The Talk in 2022, Wahlberg noted how these changes made perfect sense for the family.
He wrapped up with, “Whenever I have downtime, I’m at home with them.”
This past Father’s Day, Wahlberg’s devotion was recognized by Rhea in an online tribute, where she expressed her gratitude for his love and support: “We are so thankful for you and the way you love us. 💖🙌🏻 We love you so much more 🎉👌🏻.”
You can check out the full story on People.
