The biggest love child scandals
The biggest love child scandals. Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger isn't the only VIP to have fathered an illegitimate child. Whether they're from the ballot or the box office, these politicians, businessmen and celebrities have found themselves embroiled in similar love child scandals.
When news broke in 2001 of Rev. Jesse Jackson's illegitimate 20-month-old daughter, the political activist decided to take a respite from the public eye. While Rev. Jackson held himself fully accountable from the get-go, saying, "I love this child very much and have assumed responsibility for her emotional and financial support since she was born," the affair wasn't without scandal.
Jackson's affair with former PUSH Coalition aide Karin Stanford took place at the same time that the reverend was counseling Bill Clinton about his Monica Lewinsky affair. Seems like he had his own experience to draw on for that advice!
Peter Orszag, former budget director, may look like the buttoned-up, no-nonsense type, but don't let his straight-laced exterior fool you. Orszag's ex, shipping heiress Claire Milonas, gave birth to their child just six weeks before Orszag announced his engagement to ABC News correspondent Bianna Golodryga. Talk about timing!
When former Spice Girl Melanie Brown claimed Eddie Murphy fathered her newborn daughter, the actor fiercely denied the allegation, stating, "I don't know whose child that is until it comes out and has a blood test." Be careful what you wish for, Eddie. Two months later, DNA testing proved Eddie's paternity.
In 2009, Citigroup CEO Richard Parsons had his hands full, working to keep the financial giant afloat during the nation's economic crisis. It turns out his private life wasn't any easier: The former Time Warner chairman and father of three grown children had recently fathered an out-of-wedlock child with model-philanthropist MacDella Cooper. Parsons, one of the most successful African
American businessmen in the world, had a relatively spotless reputation, which goes to show just how deceiving looks can be.
When Daisy Lowe was a teenager, she discovered by chance that neither of her parents shared her blood type, revealing that the man she knew as her father was not actually related to her. Her godfather, married singer Gavin Rossdale, was her biological dad. It turns out the repercussions of Rossdale's 1980s one-night stand were more than he'd bargained for and his famous rocker wife,
Gwen Stefani, was in for a 14-year-old shock.
At first, former Sen. John Edwards vehemently denied fathering former campaign videographer Rielle Hunter's daughter. He even gave a statement claiming, "I am and have been willing to take any test necessary to establish the fact that I am not the father of any baby, and I am truly hopeful that a test will be done so this fact can be definitively established."
Well, the test was taken... and it didn't lie. Edwards did, in fact, father Frances Quinn Hunter. Covering his tracks, Edwards apologized: "It was wrong for me ever to deny she was my daughter and hopefully one day, when she understands, she will forgive me."
After Sen. Strom Thurmond died in 2003, news came to light that proved the adamant segregationist had fathered a child with one of his household's African American maids. At 22, Thurmond had impregnated 16-year-old Carrie Butler. Sixteen years later, Essie Mae Washington-Williams met her father, though she did not come forward or publicize their relationship until after he
passed away. Unlike the rest of this lot, Thurmond avoided scandal during his lifetime.
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