Mark Wahlberg / Ella Rae and Mark Wahlberg | Source: instagram.com/markwahlberg | Getty Images
Ella Rae Wahlberg, Mark Wahlberg's daughter, celebrated her first anniversary with her boyfriend. Mark showed his support for her relationship and shared a picture of the couple on his Instagram. He also celebrated Ella's 18th birthday on Instagram, a big day for the Wahlberg family.
Mark has been on the Hollywood music and acting scene for over twenty years and has made a name for himself from a former rapper to an accomplished actor. His Kelvin Klein campaign and his roles in films such as "Fear" saw him become a heartthrob amongst fans.
But in 2003, he turned a new leaf when he became a father to Ella and married his long-term partner, Rhea Durham, in 2009. Mark and Rhea welcomed three more children after Ella, two sons and their youngest daughter.
As Mark's firstborn daughter, the actor had a difficult time watching Ella grow up, especially regarding dating. During an interview on "The Graham Norton Show," Mark admitted to putting on a tough guy act when Ella had a boy visit. But over the years, he's come around and shared a video in the gym with her new boyfriend.
Ella Rae's Birthday Is a Bittersweet Day for Mark Wahlberg
Ella was born on September 2, 2003. Mark was 32 years old when he became a dad for the first time and shared that he was ready for the new chapter in his life. The actor already had 13 nieces and nephews and said "it was the right time" for him to settle down.
He admitted to putting his partying days behind him; the former rapper and underwear model had a reputation as a bachelor before his wife came along. Mark said he used to spend his time with people whose only intentions were to be publicly seen with him. But in Rhae, Mark said he found someone he could trust more than himself.
For the first-time parents and the rest of the Walhberg family, Ella's birth was a bittersweet moment as it was the same day Mark's sister, Debbie, passed away. Debbie reportedly had a kidney stone that required surgery. But difficulties arose that led to an infection, and she died after suffering a heart attack.
Mark said Debbie's death was "devastating" for his family, especially his mother. During a birthday tribute to Ella on Instagram, Mark also acknowledged his late sister and said:
"Always a bittersweet day. Missing my big sister Debbie, Ella's guardian angel."
Mark Wahlberg Is Very Protective of His Daughter
For Mark, celebrating Ella's 18th birthday was one thing, but accepting that she was growing up was another. When Ella was 13, Mark said he and his wife were" keeping the reigns pretty tight" regarding Ella and dating. But as she grew older, he admitted to coming to terms with her one day having a boyfriend.
During an interview in 2017, Mark said Ella was ready to start dating and struck up a relationship with his "Daddy's Home" co-star, Will Ferrell's son. He acknowledged that Ella dating one day was inevitable, and as long as he knew she was with a good boy, he would accept. Mark said:
"As long as I know who they are, where they come from, and know their parents, in this case, of course, I know a lot. So, I'm good."
Will said Ella and his son's communication on Instagram was short-lived. In 2022, Mark confirmed Ella was dating another boy named James. Little is known about James, but according to Mark, he is a "great young man," and in January, Mark celebrated James and Ella's first anniversary.
He posted a picture of the two in each other's arms and ended his caption with, "I love you guys." Mark had come a long way from being protective of his little girl and joked that he went from working out to scare all the boys away to working out with Ella's boyfriend.
Ella Rae Has Been Scared of Driving after Having a Bad Experience in Hawaii
During an appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live," Mark shared a story about one of Ella's driving experiences that did not end well. While in Hawaii, Mark and Ella went for a drive on a golf cart along a path surrounded by lava.
Although he advised her to keep an eye out, things turned south, resulting in Ella jumping out of the golf cart. Mark said she had not asked him for more driving lessons, which he was happy about.
Mark Wahlberg Once Joked He Had "No Authority" over His Daughter
While Mark was able to slow down time when it came to Ella driving, he had less luck when it came to her packing up and leaving home and heading to college. After Mark said Ella became "really focused" on academics, she was on track to graduate high school and jet off to college.
The actor said the father/daughter duo had plans to go on a tour of colleges of her choosing and said Ella chose "random" places like San Diego State. While on "Live! With Kelly and Ryan," Mark revealed that he had very little say over Ella, who was getting into tattoos. He said:
"My 18-year-old, now I literally have no authority over her until she realizes she needs me financially."
Kelly Ripa, a parent with children already in college, gave Mark sage words of wisdom for the road to picking colleges- not to say a word. The TV host joked that he should "not say a word" as he would talk Ella out of the college she wanted, and Mark Wahlberg said he would do as told.
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