Mark Wahlberg ushered in his daughter Ella's 22nd birthday with a sweet throwback photograph. The actor took to Instagram to share a nostalgic snapshot of a young Mark cradling his baby daughter. In the photo, Mark wore a baseball cap and a gray T-shirt, while little Ella looked adorable with a pacifier in her mouth. The doting dad captioned the post: "Happy birthday, Ella. I’m so proud of you!!" The star welcomed his first child with his wife, Rhea Durham, on September 2, 2003, in Los Angeles.
The father-of-four has previously admitted he found it "a challenge" to raise a teenage daughter. "It's tough, but people say that they pass through it and they come back to you," he told People in 2018. "She wants to go be off and doing her thing. [There's] a lot of attitude, a lot of aggression, a lot of, 'You're the worst, you ruin everything!'"
Ella is currently a student at Clemson University in South Carolina, and is part of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. "She's just so happy there," shared Mark in a September 2023 interview with TODAY. "She's really thriving so I understand. Obviously, it's more difficult for moms, because when you have a child, your own existence revolves around taking care and nurturing this child and helping them grow. But you're giving life and they go off and do their thing, and hopefully, they come back and spend time with you."
© InstagramThe 21-year-old is currently in a relationship with her boyfriend James – and it seems even Mark is a fan. The actor described the young man as "fantastic", and that the young couple are "perfect for each other." Mark even gushed over James in a clip shared to Instagram. "I used to work out to keep the boys away from my girls, and now I'm working out with the boyfriend. Imagine that," he said. In the caption, Mark penned: "Ella is a lucky girl and I'm a lucky dad! He is a great young man."
© InstagramIn addition to Ella, the couple, who tied the knot in 2009, are also parents to sons Michael and Brendan, and daughter Grace. The family relocated from Los Angeles to Nevada so that Mark could give them a "better life." He admitted on The Talk that moving to Nevada had been an attempt to "give my kids a better life and follow and pursue their dreams – whether it be my daughter as an equestrian, my son as a basketball player, my younger son as a golfer – this made a lot more sense for us."
© InstagramMark's family pictures
© InstagramMark and his son Brendan
Boy time
Photo shared by Mark Wahlberg's wife Rhea Wahlberg of him with their son Brendan. The duo were snapped relaxing with their dogs in their stunning Nevada home.
© InstagramMark and his wife, Rhea
Getaways
The couple shared a sun-soaked snap in celebration of their wedding anniversary. Rhea looked incredible in a pale pink bikini and opted for a natural, radiant complexion.
© InstagramThe actor with his three youngest kids
Family portrait
Throwback photos shared by Rhea Durham on Instagram of Mark Wahlberg with his three youngest kids on his birthday. The family look adorable in their pajamas for the special day.
© InstagramElla showed off her red hair
Stylish snaps
Ella rocked edgy red hair back in 2021. The teenager posed in front of her pink birthday balloons to showcase her bold new locks.
© InstagramRhea's birthday party
Family celebrations
Mark and Rhea posed with their children Brendan, Michael and Grace at Rhea's birthday party. The mother-of-four looked stunning on her special day in a white co-ord while her family opted for casual, cozy ensembles.
