Joely Richardson considers adoption

Actress Joely Richardson, 43, who is already mom to Daisy, 16, says she is considering adopting an African baby after visiting Malawi as part of the Be Water Wise with Ariel campaign which is donating 10 litres of safe drinking water to children in developing countries for every promotional pack purchased. She tells this week’s Closer magazine,

I was almost in tears on a hospital visit because there were two or three babies to each cot, but I told myself that crying wouldn’t help anyone.

I would love to adopt. My daughter Daisy is a teenager and becoming self-reliant and I have a lot of friends who had adopted.

Daisy’s dad is movie producer Tim Bevan.

Source: Closer magazine via The Daily Mail; Photo by WENN.

Comments

I don’t like the idea of white celebs[and everyday people] adopting african and asian children unless they’re ethnic, asian or black themselves. Especially celebs because they’re in the public eye all the time. I remember seeing a documentary when josephine baker who is black adopted some white black and asian kids and it all look like a freak show when they went out. Celebrities are adopting now like its a trend. I blame people like Madonna who want to get more press and money. she has a MOVIE about her adopted son from Malawi africa. *vomits* Angelina Jolie did much better when she did documentries and ground work in Asia and Africa.like about war in sudan ect

- bearcakes on May 6th, 2008

It takes a very special person to consider adoption. Kudos to those like Jim C. who have already undertaken such a thing. And, a “Tip of the Hat” and “Best wishes” to those like Joely Richardson, who are also evaluating their options.

- Becky on May 6th, 2008

It’s a truly wonderful thing to consider, my only hesitation would be adopting specifically from Malawi itself since the country does not have clear international adoption laws.

Even Madonna herself, who has done so much for the country, still has not had her adoption finalized despite 15+ months of having baby David in her care. I hope Malawi changes its policies so those millions of orphans can have homes and futures.

Best of luck to Joely.

- Lilly on May 7th, 2008

That would be awesome if she adopted! Also, her daughter looks sooooooooooo much like her only with curly brown hair! It’s almost uncanny!

- Rye on May 7th, 2008

I don’t understand attempting to adopt from Malawi, where there are millions of children around the world from countries where the laws are clear cut.

Malawi has its standards and laws for a reason, and I believe, whether we agree or not, those laws should be respected. They want their children to remain within their borders for reasons perhaps not understandable to us.

- Kate on May 7th, 2008

Kate- Joely never said she will adopt from Malawi. All she said was that her recent trip to Malawi inspired her to consider adopting an African baby. For all we know, she could end up adopting from Ethiopia or some other African country other than Malawi.

Also, if she WERE to adopt for Malawi, think about it…What would be best for the child she adopts? To be adopted by her and have a loving family and a happy life, or to stay in Malawi and very likely face a very bleak childhood (and possibly not even live through it’s childhood. African babies can and do become very ill due to lack of food, less than ideal living conditions, improper medical care, etc. Zahara Jolie-Pitt is proof of that)?

- CelebBabyLover on May 7th, 2008

I’m this/close to doing it. I’m very interested in adoption of a child-children (trying to keep siblings together) in Haiti and am in the research process.

- MaríaM2 on May 10th, 2008