Donna Mills always followed her own path, both in Hollywood and in life. At 54, she made a life-changing decision to become a mother, ignoring those who doubted her ability to handle motherhood at that age. Now, three decades later, she proudly looks forward to becoming a grandmother.
For years, Donna Mills was a fixture in Hollywood, known for her roles on hit TV shows and her dedication to her craft. However, she had a deeper longing that led her to step away from the career she had built and embrace motherhood at a time when many considered it too late.
Though the decision raised eyebrows, Donna’s determination never wavered. Her child became the center of her world, and she has cherished motherhood above all roles.
As life comes full circle, Donna stands on the brink of becoming a grandma. Her journey is one of determination, love, and breaking societal expectations.
When Donna decided to adopt her daughter, Chloe, at 54, she faced widespread skepticism. Many believed she was too old to take on the responsibilities of raising a child, with people often commenting, “You’re going to be so old [to] have a little toddler running around.”
But Donna didn’t let these doubts deter her. Despite the criticism, she was confident that she could do it. “I never felt older than the other mothers who were probably in their 20s,” she explained.
Before adopting Chloe, Donna’s life was deeply focused on her acting career. She had made a name for herself in Hollywood, with roles on shows like “Knots Landing,” but despite her success, something was missing. “I was jealous every time I saw a kid run up to its mom and go ‘mommy, mommy!'” Donna once confessed.
The desire for a child became stronger with time, and she knew her life wouldn’t be complete without one. “As wonderful as my career was, as wonderful as my life was, there was a big hole,” she explained.
So, when Chloe came into her life at just four days old, Donna embraced her role as a mother without hesitation. “I wanted to experience everything you do with a child. I never felt like it was too much for me, never,” she once stated.
This decision would ultimately shape the next two decades of her life, as she prioritized her daughter above all else.
After adopting Chloe, Donna made a profound decision that surprised many. She stepped away from her successful acting career for 18 years to focus entirely on being a mother. Initially, Donna found a balance between work and parenting.
During Chloe’s early years, she accepted roles in television movies and took her daughter wherever she went. However, when Chloe started school, Donna realized she couldn’t continue her career at the same pace.
“I wasn’t going to go out of town for two months at a time,” Donna explained. “I didn’t become a mother to give her to a nanny.”
Though stepping away from the career she had worked hard to build was a major life change, Donna never regretted it. She has even encouraged others to consider waiting to have children later in life, sharing her belief that it allowed her to be more present and focused as a mother.
“If you want to give to your career, I say having a child later in life is better than having a child early,” she advised. For Donna, her choice to adopt Chloe at 54 allowed her to give motherhood her undivided attention, something she felt wouldn’t have been possible earlier in her career.
During those 18 years, Donna was always there for her daughter. She attended every school event that mattered to Chloe, from a school play to a tennis match or any other activity.
Reflecting on her decision, Donna says she couldn’t imagine doing it any other way. She wanted to experience everything with her daughter and give her all the love and attention she deserved.
Chloe also spoke about how her mother was always there for her, “Every activity I did, she was there.” Donna’s choice to be present for all of Chloe’s milestones built a strong and lasting bond between them, a connection that remains close to this day.
Over the three decades they have shared, Donna and her daughter Chloe Mills have built a deep, lasting bond. Despite Donna’s fame, Chloe grew up with a sense of normalcy, largely due to the hands-on parenting Donna embraced. She prioritized Chloe over everything else, building a relationship grounded in love, trust, and constant support.
Donna shared the happy occasion with her fans, posting pictures from the event and wrote, “My baby girl is having a baby!! And we gave her the shower of her dreams. Can’t wait to meet the little guy. I know I’ll love him as much as I love her.”
Chloe’s partner, Travis Collings, will be the father of Donna’s first grandchild. While the couple has kept most of their relationship private, they have shared glimpses of their excitement about starting a family together.
Donna Mills, too, looks forward to this next chapter, knowing the profound bond she built with Chloe will now extend to the next generation.
