Yahoo Finance Reese Witherspoon's 3 Kids: Everything to Know
Reese Witherspoon Instagram
Reese Witherspoon has enjoyed an impressive career. From starring in countless award-winning TV shows and movies to founding a female-focused production company and book club, the Legally Blonde star has done it all. However, being a mom to her three kids is the role she enjoys the most.
Witherspoon shares daughter Ava Phillippe, 23, and son Deacon Phillippe, 19, with ex-husband Ryan Phillippe, as well as son Tennessee James Toth, 10, with her current husband Jim Toth. While balancing motherhood with the demands of her multifaceted career has certainly not been easy, Witherspoon says the sacrifices were "truly worth it."
"There's a lot of compromise ... You feel like that's what makes me wake up on a Sunday, it's not movies or my job, it's my kids," the actress said on The Drew Barrymore Show. "Being a mom is really great, it's a big part of my life. I would say it's the biggest part of my life."
Reese Witherspoon Instagram
Witherspoon also spoke about parenting during an interview with Gayle King for InStyle, where she explained that her kids are her "first, most important priority." She continued, "If I told you how much space in my brain they take up every day — do you even think they know, Gayle? I don't even think they know."
On Feb. 2, 2023, the Legally Blonde actress spoke to PEOPLE during the Los Angeles premiere of her movie Your Place or Mine about how she felt dropping off her son Deacon at college.
"It means you did your job right," she said. "And I'm so proud of my kids. They're thriving in the world and I'm so happy for them."
In an interview published on Feb. 9, 2023, Witherspoon and her Your Place or Mine costar Ashton Kutcher talked about parenting and how their kids often depend on texting.
"There's a point at which you need to get off texts," the mom of three said. "I talk to my older kids about the power of picking up the phone. Direct communication can sometimes get right to the point. But kids that age don't like you to call them. They're like, 'Ugh, it's my mom!' "
Here's everything to know about Witherspoon's three children.
Ava Elizabeth Phillippe, 23
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Witherspoon and Phillippe's older child, Ava Elizabeth Philippe, was born on Sep. 9, 1999, in L.A. Witherspoon was just 23 years old when she had Ava. The actress later spoke about being a young mom during an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show.
"To be completely candid, I was terrified," Witherspoon told host Drew Barrymore. "I got pregnant when I was 22 years old, and I didn't know how to balance work and motherhood, you just do it … I was just like every other mom and dad trying to figure it out."
Ava is now 23 herself, and she looks just like her mother — so much so that both Witherspoon and Ava have joked about it in interviews.
"I'm so proud of her. She really rolls with it. I'm sure it's not easy looking exactly like your mother," Witherspoon said in an interview with InStyle.
Stefanie Keenan/Getty
The mother-daughter duo also share a similar sense of style and a passion for beauty. While speaking to PEOPLE at Coachella, Ava joked about their tendency to dress alike, even when they are apart. "When we're separated, we're like, 'What are you wearing? Oh! That's weirdly similar,' " she explained.
She added that her love of makeup was partly inspired by her mom. "My first memories of makeup are of [watching] my grandmother and the way she does her lipstick and her blush and her eyeliner. And the way my mom would get glammed up for events," she said.
Ava and Witherspoon have a very sweet relationship, and frequently post cute pictures together on Instagram. On Mother's Day in 2022, Ava shared a throwback photo of herself and Witherspoon. She wrote in the caption, "happy happy mother's day to my gorgeous, thoughtful, strong, & fun mama! I am so lucky to love & be loved by a mom like you."
In August 2022, Witherspoon shared photos on her Instagram from an evening out to dinner with Ava. In the post, the mom and daughter each posed for a photo and smiled with their colorful cocktails. "Love my dinner date 🌸💖," the proud parent captioned the pictures.
The following month, Witherspoon celebrated her daughter's 23rd birthday with a sweet Instagram post, showing off a snap of the mother-daughter duo posing in front of a beach sunset.
"Happy Birthday to my favorite daughter, Ava !! 🥰Every day that I get to watch you become the most amazing woman is such a gift," Witherspoon wrote. "Your gigantic heart, generous spirit, and endless creativity inspire me every day. I love you so much 💞💫🎂."
While her mom inspires her in many ways, Ava is carving out her own path. In addition to attending UC Berkeley, she's also pursuing a career in modeling and has landed campaigns with brands like Pat McGrath, Beyonce's Ivy Park and her mother's line, Draper James.
Ava Phillippe Instagram
As far as her personal life goes, she has been dating Owen Mahoney since 2019, whom she met at UC Berkeley. Witherspoon gave her daughter's beau her stamp of approval in June 2021, commenting on a cute photo of the couple, "😍 These two." Mahoney has even gone on vacation with the rest of the family.
On Oct. 4, 2022, Witherspoon visited the set of Today with Hoda & Jenna. When she shared a photo of Ava with the hosts, Jenna Bush Hager shouted, "Wait, y'all are twins!" The actress smiled and said, "She and I don't see it that much."
Later that year, Ava set herself apart from her famous mom by dying her long blond hair bright orange, a look she premiered on Thanksgiving. On Dec. 8, 2022, Ava looked edgy at the Celine Fashion Show, which was held at The Wiltern in L.A. She paired her new hair with a seersucker striped top, which she wore unbuttoned, showing off a black string bikini top underneath.
On Dec. 31, 2023, Ava posted a photo on Instagram of herself in a hospital, revealing that she'd injured her ankle.
"Starting the new year off with a bang…well, more like a *pop*…in my ankle. All because my clumsy self tried to hop over a (very large) rain puddle in heels," she wrote in the caption.
Ava continued, "I will definitely be adding "be gentler with my body" to my list of new year's resolutions!"
Deacon Reese Phillippe, 19
Deacon Phillippe Instagram
Deacon Reese Phillippe was born on Oct. 23, 2003, in L.A.
The now-19-year-old graduated from high school in spring 2022, and his parents threw a backyard commencement ceremony to mark the occasion. Witherspoon also shared a sweet Instagram post honoring the milestone. "So proud of the thoughtful, talented, kind & generous young man you have become. You light up our hearts and make us proud everyday," she wrote in the caption.
Deacon Phillippe Instagram
Deacon is following in his parent's footsteps and pursuing a career in the entertainment industry. He has already taken the first steps in his career as a music producer with the release of his hit single "Long Run" in 2020.
Witherspoon couldn't have been more proud of her son's accomplishment and she posted an adorable video of her dancing to the song on Instagram. "When your kid has his first single ... you gotta dance!" the caption read.
He opened up about his passion for producing with Interview magazine and shared that his dad, who also makes music, helped him get into it.
"When I was listening to the radio in the car with my dad, something just clicked. I realized there's more to making music than just being a vocalist, and that a lot of times it's the production that makes me feel something," he explained. "I asked my dad about how it works, and he taught me all the stuff he knew, and then I started watching YouTube videos."
Deacon has also tried his hand at acting, and he made his acting debut in the third season of Netflix's teen show Never Have I Ever.
Deacon and his older sister, Ava, are very close. In honor of his 18th birthday, Ava posted a touching tribute to her brother on Instagram, writing in the caption, "I cannot believe the first baby I ever held is now 18 years old … D, you're simply the best. Funny, loyal, intelligent, genuine, kind, passionate, creative…and the list goes on. You light up rooms and always look for the best in people. Watching you grow into who you're meant to be is such a joy, and I'm eternally grateful to be your big sister."
Stefanie Keenan/Getty Ava Phillippe, Reese Witherspoon, and Deacon Phillippe attend
For Interview magazine, Witherspoon opened up about what it's been like to watch both Ava and Deacon grow up.
"I never expected the kind of relationship that I have with them, but it's so rewarding to be able to have kids that you can process life with a little bit, and they help me understand the complexities of what it means to be a human now," she told Tracee Ellis Ross during the interview. "So I'm really, really grateful that these little humans are in my life. Adult humans. I have two adult children now, Tracee. It's crazy."
Many people have commented on the fact that Deacon and Ava are spitting images of their parents. But it doesn't come as a surprise to Phillippe.
"What I get a lot lately is they think Deacon looks like [Witherspoon] and Ava looks like me," he told Extra. "My response is always, 'Duh … How are you surprised that children look like their parents?' Isn't that biologically how it's meant to work?"
In October 2022, Witherspoon celebrated her son's 19th birthday with a sweet post on Instagram. She shared a photo of the teen looking handsome in a t-shirt along with an adorable throwback of him as a small boy in a gray hat. "Big Birthday Love for @deaconphillippe today ! 💫The guy who possesses the most joyful energy, endless drive, ambition and talent," she wrote in the caption. "And the biggest heart in the world. 💓Could not be more PROUD of you.. I love you, D! 💫💙 🎶"
Deacon is currently attending New York University. On Feb. 1, 2023, he posted photos and videos from his college experience on Instagram. In one photo, he sat in his dorm with a lit-up broken heart and a red EMBIID 21 basketball jersey behind him.
"In flow" he wrote in the caption.
While in N.Y.C. promoting her new film, Your Place or Mine, Witherspoon made time for a visit with her son.
"Perfect Sunday with my guy @deaconphillippe ☕️ 🥰🍳 ❤️," she captioned a photo of Deacon sitting across from her at a restaurant. Deacon then commented: "Love getting to see you ❤️."
Tennessee James Toth, 10
Reese Witherspoon Instagram
Witherspoon and her husband, Toth, welcomed their only child together, Tennesse Toth, on Sep. 27, 2012, in L.A.
Although Witherspoon keeps him out of the public eye, she has occasionally shared some shots of her youngest on social media over the years, including many birthday tributes.
Reese Witherspoon Instagram
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, she gave fans a glimpse of what it was like homeschooling her young son. Tennessee also joined the entire family at the premiere of Witherspoon's animated movie Sing 2 in 2021. The mom of three posted a video from the night on Instagram as well as a shot of the family at the original movie's premiere five years prior.
The actress loves bonding with her boys, and in 2022, she shared a picture of herself, her husband and her two sons cheering on the Nashville Soccer Club.
Deacon Phillippe Instagram
It's clear his older siblings love to dote on Tennessee as well. Ava posted a sweet picture for his birthday, writing, "Happy happy birthday to this bold, sensitive, smart, & energetic boy. Sure, I was a big sister before him, but he made me an even better one! I love you, Tenn." While on a family vacation, Deacon posted some pictures of himself and Tennessee goofing around.
"Bean down," Deacon captioned the snaps, which showed Tennessee hanging on his older brother's back before he tumbled to the ground laughing.
In September 2022, Witherspoon celebrated her youngest's 10th birthday by sharing a sweet photo of Tennessee in a pair of oversized sunglasses and a blue polo. "Happy 10th Birthday to my wonderful boy, Tennessee!!" read her caption. "Your brilliant curiosity and endless energy make me smile every day! I'm so lucky to be your mama. I love you buddy! 💙⚽️⛳️🏈🌟 Tenn turns 10!"
She also shared a picture of herself and Tennessee at a beach on her Instagram Story. In the snap, Witherspoon hugged her son from behind and rested her chin on his head. "Happy birthday to my sweet boy!" she wrote on the photo.
