Mel Gibson has demonstrated a wealth of experience in his field as an actor, director, and producer. However, he is also an excellent father to his nine kids from three different women, and he loves to protect his youngest kid.
Mel Gibson, a New York native of Irish descent, lived his younger years in Sydney, Australia. His parents migrated to the area for fear of having their kids conscripted into the army.
Unlike some phenomenal stars who got bitten by the acting bug at a young age, Gibson never eyed the entertainment industry. Instead, he wanted a profession in journalism or culinary arts.
Eventually, he auditioned to enter a drama school following his sister’s influence. That was when he began making history. While in Australia, the actor featured in plays before graduating to TV series and later film.
After appearing in “Mad Max” and “Gallipoli,” he earned two awards from the Australian Film Institute, which paved the way for his American success. In 1984, he became loved in the US following the hit film “The River.”
Gibson perfected his acting skills and starred next to A-list celebrities like Danny Glover, Helen Hunt, and Julia Roberts. What came next was showcasing his directing and producing skills in films like “Brave Heart,” “The Passion of the Christ,” and “Apocalypto.”
Over the years, the 66-year-old has received awards for his outstanding performances as a multifaceted entertainer. Still, Gibson remains one of the most controversial figures, mainly because of his blunt remarks and past relationships.
Even with a talent like his, Gibson has had to take the back burner and embark on decade-long hiatus. The actor spent ten years away from camera, lights, and action while he frequented therapists, working on himself.
A few years ago, Gibson had an affair with a woman fourteen years his junior while married to his first wife. Their relationship blossomed, and it led to the birth of a child.
In the course of their affair, a recorded tape was leaked. It contained Gibson’s use of profane words and racist remarks channeled at his lover, Oksana Grigorieva, who he also threatened to kill.
The actor was placed on probation for three years. While working on himself, he admitted that it was the worst moment of his life and agreed that the audio should not have gone public.
Following his 2016 resurrection with the directional credit for “Hacksaw Ridge,” a film that put him in the good books of many, owing to its plot. Gibson revealed:
“I worked on myself and I feel great. And I am glad to be back and I am fortunate. I feel pretty cooled out and stuff doesn’t matter the way it used to. So I feel good and healthy…”
Gibson has nine kids from three different women, but he has only been married once. He met his first partner, Robyn, in the 1970s, shortly after his career-defining role in “Mad Max.”
Robyn, a dental nurse, married the actor in 1980, and they welcomed seven children. More than two decades later, the pair divorced, with Gibson, a staunch catholic establishing that they had no spiritual common ground in a leaked audio clip.
The mother of seven never signed a prenup with him, so she was excused to leave with half of his estate. Their divorce was finalized in 2011, with Robyn claiming two Malibu homes estimated at nearly 23 million dollars.
She is also entitled to half of his future earnings for his entire life. Their divorce is on the list of one of the most significant divorce payouts, as Gibson’s ex-wife walked away with a net worth of eight-hundred and fifty million dollars.
Despite the settlement deal, neither party has spoken harsh words to the media about their relationship. In 2010, when the actor faced a custody battle with his lover, Grigorieva, Robyn confessed that her ex-husband is an excellent parent who never abused her.
Grigorieva, a Russian singer, began dating Gibson before the divorce was finalized, and according to an insider, she loved him so much that she converted to his catholic religion.
However, their love story ended fast, with the musician citing domestic violence that left her with broken teeth and a concussion. As stated earlier, about six tapes were leaked, displaying Gibson’s verbal abuse and use of anti-semitic comments, all in the feat of rage.
He confessed that he was not super excited when he welcomed baby number nine.
Grigorieva claimed she had nothing to do with releasing the audio. However, the actor did not contest further; instead, he admitted to only slapping the mother of his child because she moved their baby aggressively, and he agreed to keep the tapes away for 15 million dollars.
The singer later went on TV to give details about her experience with Gibson. However, during the interview, she neglected the domestic violence story submitted in court. This led to her forfeiting a chunk of her entitlement from the actor.
After the tumultuous court case, Gibson found love in the arms of another woman, with whom he attended his “Hacksaw Ridge” premiere. His newest lover is Rosalind Ross, 34 years his junior.
The pair welcomed their first child in 2017 and appeared to be doing just fine, despite the age gap. According to Gibson, age is not a determiner for falling in love, and they have blended well. The father of nine added:
“It might cause a problem and one has a trepidation about these things, but it’s working out great. She is a really special person.”
Being a father to a large team has never been an issue to Gibson, who handles his fatherhood roles perfectly, with mothers performing their duties just right. However, while speaking on the red carpet, the “Brave Heart” heartily remarked:
“I was talking to Clint the other day. I said, ‘How many kids you got? He said, ‘Eight.’ So I’m beating him.”
The actor’s first child is Hannah, born the same year he married her mother. The young lady caught the acting bug and has worked as a production assistant and make-up artist for different TV productions.
Hannah has chosen to stay away from the limelight, and apart from working in the showbiz, she spends time with her six kids and husband, Kenny Wayne Shepherd.
Gibson also welcomed twins Edward and Christain two years later. The former runs a furniture business and prefers a low-profile lifestyle. At the same time, his double chose to handle the camera, working closely with his father, and he shares his private moments online.
The actor’s fourth child, William, opted for a ghost-mood presence in the spotlight. Not much is known about the 1985 born child as he has managed his privacy well, despite his dad’s fame.
Babies number five and six were Louie and Milo. The boys inherited their dad’s knack for directing and writing. During their teenage years, they began working on projects and have teamed up on projects like “Manifest West.”
Thomas is the former couple’s youngest child. He was ten years old when his parents divorced, and there are no details about him online. Thomas’s step-sister, Lucia, came in 2009. She is the only child between Gibson and the Russian.
The “Brave Heart” alum’s last child is Lars Gerard from his current relationship. He was born in 2014, and although he has not been officially seen in public, his mother, Ross, shared an adorable snap of the young chap rocking a tuxedo after birth.
For Gibson, it has been the more, the merrier. However, with his nine kids and a busy career, he still shows commitment by being supportive and present, which his kids appreciate.
While speaking on his first feature, Milo admitted that the actor never enforced career rules on them. Instead, he was supportive. The electrician turned actor said:
“No, there wasn’t discouragement or encouragement necessarily. My dad was always a big advocate of doing what you like to do, and keep doing new things and trying new things, but do what you love.”
Even though Gibson has more than enough love to go around for his clan, he confessed that he was not super excited when he welcomed baby number nine. According to him:
“I think my adrenals are worn out so I don’t even react anymore.”
Above all, the father of nine is grateful to have his big and healthy family. While recounting his fatherhood journey, he explained that one could not play the parenthood role perfectly, as there were bound to make mistakes. However, he is hopeful not many errors have been recorded in his case.
