Stars Whose Kids Graduated in 2023: Barack Obama, Pierce Brosnan and More

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Stars Whose Kids Graduated in 2023: Barack Obama, Pierce Brosnan and More

Cue the pomp and circumstance! Former President Barack Obama, Pierce Brosnan and more stars were proud parents at their kids’ 2023 graduation ceremonies. Obama, 61, attended his daughter Sasha’s graduation from the University of Southern California on May 12, alongside his wife, former First Lady Michelle Obama, and their eldest daughter, Malia, 24. The 21-year-old student transferred from the University of Michigan to USC in 2022 and earned her bachelor's degree in sociology. In addition to her cap, gown, stole and cords, Sasha sported white and purple leis, possibly as an homage to Hawaii, the state her father was born in 1961. Her family members looked just as stylish as Barack complimented Michelle’s black dress by sporting a slick, gray suit. Malia, meanwhile, paired her nude and lilac dress with thin green heels. Earlier that month, Brosnan, 70, commemorated his and wife Keely Shaye Smith's youngest child Paris’ college graduation via Instagram. “Dearest Paris, Heartfelt congratulations on your graduation from Loyola Marymount University School of Film & Television,” the GoldenEye actor captioned a pic of himself and Smith, 59 — with whom he also shares son Dylan, 26 — posing with the graduate on May 6. “Go into the world with a brave heart and create stories that will make the world a better place.” Brosnan also shares son Sean, 39, with late wife Cassandra Harris. He is also the stepfather of her two kids with ex-husband Dermot Harris, Christopher, 50, and Charlotte, the latter of whom died at the age of 41 from ovarian cancer in 2013. [jwplayer gFbLtRJv-zhNYySv2] Many fans shared their congratulations in the post’s comments section, including Brosnan’s former Mamma Mia! costar Amanda Seyfried. “Time is crazy. This is so wonderful!” the Golden Globe winner 37 — who shares two kids with her husband, Thomas Sadoski — wrote at the time. Teresa Giudice, meanwhile, celebrated her firstborn daughter Gia's college graduation from Rutgers University. “I am so proud of my devoted and intelligent daughter, Gia, for graduating [from] a stellar university, a huge milestone to accomplish in life,” the Real Housewives of New Jersey star captioned an Instagram pic of herself and Gia, 22, from her May 14 graduation ceremony. The Bravo reality star went on to call her daughter's achievement “one of the most special moments in my life.” Gia earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and wants to be a lawyer after her dad, Joe Giudice, was deported to his native Italy in 2019. Teresa continued: “You definitely paved the path of success for your sisters, and you are an inspiration to them and me. I am so excited to see what your future holds. You have always been a leader and a determined individual. Your attributes are admirable, and I have no doubt that you will do anything less than reach for the stars. I love you to infinity and beyond!💗🎓.” Scroll below to see which other stars celebrated their kids (and grandkids’) 2023 graduations:

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Kylie Jenner

The Kardashians star's daughter Stormi, whom she shares with ex Travis Scott, graduated from pre-school on June 7. “My sweet girl graduated pre-k today,” the Kylie Cosmetics founder captioned an adorable photo of her and her eldest child at the celebration.

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Laura Dern

“The most amazing milestone to experience. My baby graduated high school,” the Big Little Lies alum gushed via Instagram on June 5, sharing family photos from her daughter Jaya’s ceremony. “Thank you @newroadsschool for being an extraordinary space that honors social justice as a core to curriculum and growing empathy. A true and diverse representative community. Thank you to all the teachers and administration for your profound gifts and influence. Jaya. I’m so proud of you and your incredible heart and voice. I’m in awe of you.”

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Jennifer Hudson

“It’s official!!! My baby is a high schooler now!” the EGOT winner gushed via Instagram on June 3 of her son, David. “We had such a wonderful day celebrating with family and friends. I am sooo proud of you DOJ!”

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Alyssa Milano

“We celebrated my son today. He graduated elementary school. I’m emotional,” the Charmed alum wrote via Instagram on May 30 while toasting to her son Milo’s next chapter. “Parenting is such a phenomenon. You love them so hard. And nurture and guide and feed and push and cherish. And all that emotion — that fire in your belly — is to eventually let them fly.”

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Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart

The couple made a rare public appearance at their son Liam’s graduation from Amherst College on May 28. Ford sported a navy suit and light blue shirt to the ceremony, while Flockhart wore a white dress and black flats and carried a white purse.

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Janelle Brown and Kody Brown

“Savanah has graduated! My children are all grown up ❤️,” the Sister Wives star captioned pics from her and ex-husband Kody’s 18-year-old daughter’s graduation. “Such a beautiful day. There was definitely a difference with this graduation versus others in the past - but all is well. Headed to UT this weekend to throw a big party for her with most of her siblings.”

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Kimora Lee Simmons

“My baby girl is a HARVARD GRADUATE!!! AND with a double major! AND one of the youngest in recent history to do so at only 20 years young,” the fashion designer wrote via Instagram on May 27, sharing snaps from Aoki’s ceremony. “This is CRAZYY! IM SO SO SOO PROUD! AND all the while carrying a full-time job modeling! But YOU DID IT! WE DID IT! Mama loves you soooo much my brainy beauty! These are hard-fought tears anyone who knows us will know! 😭❤️❤️.”

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Joanna and Chip Gaines

“It feels like just yesterday that we were cheering him on as he took his first steps … but last weekend, as he walked across the stage to receive his high school diploma (!!) we were cheering him on as he took his first steps into a world beyond what he’s known,” the Magnolia Table author wrote via Instagram on May 27, sharing photos from her firstborn’s ceremony. “We’re so proud of you, Drake ❤️.” 

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Lebron James

“PROUD!!!! 🥺🥺🥺🙏🏾. CONGRATULATIONS & LOVE YOU KID,” the NBA star gushed via Instagram on May 26, sharing photos from son Bronny’s ceremony.

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Lisa Barlow

The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star celebrated her son Jack’s high school graduation with a heartfelt Instagram tribute. “You are everything beautiful in this world. You are the absolute best older brother. Most thoughtful son and my whole sunshine,” the Bravo personality captioned a slideshow of pics from the 18-year-old’s graduation ceremony with her husband, John Barlow, and their youngest son, Henry.

She continued: “I’ve been in awe of you since the day you were mine. You are so confident in being you and this journey you are going on will for sure impact the lives of others. I love you beyond. You will always have my complete heart.”

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Carly Waddell and Evan Bass

The Bachelor alum celebrated her and ex-husband Bass’ daughter Bella’s preschool graduation on May 24. “Bella graduated from Pre-k today! I can’t believe I have a kindergartener now!” Waddell wrote via Instagram. “Where did the time go?!?!?!”

The “Your Friends Like Me More” singer attended the ceremony alongside her and Bass’ son, Charlie, who made his sister’s final school performance “such a great night” when he clapped for her after the show. (The Bachelor Nation stars announced their split in December 2020 after three years of marriage.)

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Anna ‘Chickadee’ Cardwell

“I am one proud mama right now,” the Here Comes Honey Boo Boo alum wrote via Facebook on May 23 after attending her eldest daughter Kaitlyn’s elementary school graduation ceremony. “And I also can’t believe I am going to have a middle schooler and a second grader give me a minute while I go cry my eyes out 🥰🥰😭😭.”

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Jennie Garth and Peter Facinelli

“So happy for my @lucabellabella as she completes a huge chapter in her life👩‍🎓,” the Beverly Hills, 90210 alum wrote via Instagram on May 23, sharing pics from Luca’s New School college graduation. “So much hard work paid off for this moment. I can’t wait to see what’s next for you my sweet❤️.”

Garth and the Twilight actor, who split in 2012 and share three daughters, reunited for a sweet family photo with the graduate.

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Jamie Lynn Spears and Jamie Watson

The Sweet Magnolias star and her husband attended daughter Ivey’s preschool graduation on May 23.

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Mickie Wood

The Toddlers and Tiaras alum's daughter Eden Wood celebrated graduating high school as valedictorian on May 20. 

"Alumni Status," Eden wrote via Instagram alongside a series of images from the ceremony. "#Valedictorian #classof2023 #graduated #edenwood #highschoolgrad #ontocollege."

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Alex Rodriguez

The former Yankees player celebrated daughter Natasha, whom he shares with ex-wife Cynthia Scurtis, graduating from high school graduation on May 20. 

“Yesterday was bittersweet. Tashi, I can’t make time stand still, so my wish for you is to go out in the world with confidence, knowing your worth and believing in yourself,” he wrote via Instagram alongside photos of his family from the big day. “As you move on from one chapter to the next, I’m most proud of who you are as a person. Honest, kind, compassionate, intuitive and wise beyond your years. As your father, I’m supposed to be your role model. But for the last 18 years, you’ve been mine. Proud of you always! Love, Daddy 💙.” 

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Mama June Shannon

“I’m so proud of her. She is our 2023 graduate and yes we was [sic] hollering the whole time. WTG LANA,” the TLC personality wrote via Instagram on May 20, sharing footage from daughter Alana’s ceremony. “AND YALL KNOW I SCREAMED WORK IT SMOOCHIE ONE LAST TIME. … WE WERE ALL HOLLERING THE WHOLE TIME.”

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Helena Christensen and Norman Reedus

The exes attended son Mingus’ graduation from New York University in May.

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Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos

The Live With Kelly and Mark cohosts celebrated their daughter Lola's graduation from NYU on May 17.

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Barack and Michelle Obama

Barack, Michelle and Malia Obama attended Sasha's graduation from the University of Southern California on May 12, during which she earned a bachelor's degree in sociology.

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Pierce Brosnan

The Black Adam star and Smith's youngest child, son Paris, began to follow in his father's entertainment footsteps by graduating from Loyola Marymount University's School of Film & Television.

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Teresa Giudice

The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip alum gushed about Gia's educational achievement via Instagram on May 15, calling her daughter's graduation from Rutgers University “one of the most special moments in my life.”

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Joe Biden

The President and First Lady Jill Biden supported his grandaughter, Roberta “Maisy” Biden, 22, at her graduation from the University of Pennsylvania on May 15. Maisy's dad, Hunter Biden, was in attendance at the ceremony, along with his ex-wife Kathleen Buhle and their daughters, Naomi, 29, and Finnegan, 22.

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King Abdullah and Queen Rania of Jordan

Princess Salma of Jordan graduated from the University of Southern California on May 12, at which she was supported by her royal parents, King Abdullah and Queen Rania.

"So proud to celebrate my Salma’s graduation yesterday from the University of Southern California," the queen captioned pics from Salma's big day via Instagram. "I can’t wait to see what you do next. Congratulations!"

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Sonja Morgan

The Real Housewives of New York City alum called her and ex-husband John Adam Morgan’s daughter Quincy’s college graduation “the proudest day of my life” in a May 16 Instagram post.

"My darling daughter graduated Summa Cum Laude at The University of Penn 👩‍🎓," the Bravo star captioned a pic of the 22-year-old sporting a voluminous white dress and olive green heels. “I would say best of all she’s happy and happens to be a well rounded, kind and humble young woman with great aspirations. All this fused with innate talent 💕 👩‍🎓 📚 💐 🖼️ ✈️ 🍱 🥂."

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Marc Anthony

On May 18, the “You Sang to Me” artist shared a video of his 22-year-old son Cristian graduating from college.

“I love my kids to the moon and back and we get to celebrate you today,” Anthony, 54, captioned the clip of Cristian — whom he shares with ex-wife Dayanara Torres — walking on the stage to receive his diploma.

Anthony’s Instagram upload also featured pics of him, Torres, 48, and their son Ryan, 19, posing for pics with the graduate.