10 Nepo Parents Who Got Famous Because of Their Kids

10 Nepo Parents Who Got Famous Because of their Kids

Welcome to MsMojo, and today were flipping the script, looking at the most notable individuals who rode the coattails of their childrens celebrity status to gain fame, or in some cases, infamy.

Yolanda Hadid

Born and raised in the Netherlands, Yolanda Hadid began her career as a model before stepping away to start a family. She later gained attention through the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, but her true claim to fame comes from being the mother of supermodels Gigi and Bella Hadid. As her daughters careers skyrocketed, so did her own profile, with Hadid positioning herself as the guiding force in their rise to the top of the fashion industry. However, that has sometimes come with controversy, like the widely criticized moment when she urged Gigi to eat just two almonds. Nevertheless, theres no doubt that Hadid has successfully carved out her own celebrity niche by managing, promoting and often appearing alongside her ultra-famous kids.

Donda West

For over two decades, Dr. Donda West taught and led the Department of English, Communications, Media, and Theater at Chicago State University. But to much of the world, she will always be known as Kanye Wests mother. West raised her son largely on her own, and supported his decision to pursue music full-time. So when he eventually hit it big, she retired from academia and transitioned into a life in the spotlight. She took on an active role in Kanyes career, serving as the chief executive of West Brands, accompanying him to high-profile events, and writing a memoir titled Raising Kanye, which was released posthumously. Sadly, West passed away in 2007 due to coronary artery disease and complications following surgery.

Dina Lohan

The mother of actress Lindsay Lohan, Dina Lohan also got her start in show business, working as a singer and dancer. However, the only reason most people know her name today is because of her daughters early success in Hollywood. As Lindsays momager, Lohan occasionally appeared in her daughters films, most notably as a woman at the airport in The Parent Trap. She later leveraged her newfound fame by starring in the E! reality series Living Lohan, which focused on her own life and her efforts to launch her younger daughter Alianas career. When that was canceled after just one season, Lohan made guest appearances on a few other shows, before being cast on the second season of Celebrity Big Brother.

Pattie Mallette

You could argue that Justin Bieber would not be where he is today without the help of his mother, Pattie Mallette. After all, Mallette not only nurtured his passion for music, but she also uploaded the early YouTube videos that caught the attention of talent scouts. In the same vein, Mallette has taken full advantage of her sons success. She helped steer the ship as his manager in the early years, and has made appearances in the media and at public events, often framed around her role in his life. In 2012, Mallette added author to her resume when she published her autobiography Nowhere but Up, a candid look at her life as a single mother. It became a New York Times bestseller in its first week.

Richard Williams

The remarkable success of Venus and Serena Williams tennis careers is largely credited to the guidance of their father, Richard Williams. Williams reportedly drafted an 85-page plan to make his daughters tennis champions, and it worked. But in their early years, Williams was more than just a coach; he was their father, agent and hype man all rolled into one. His undying desire to tout his daughters talents and achievements made him a polarizing figure, as some felt he was trying to hog the spotlight. Regardless, as Venus and Serena got more and more inescapable in the sporting world, so did their father. His larger-than-life story eventually received the Hollywood treatment with 2021s King Richard, which featured an Oscar-winning performance from Will Smith.

Joe Jackson

Joe Jackson initially tried his hand at blues music, but after failing to secure a record deal, he decided to live his dream through his children. In the mid 1960s, Jackson founded and began managing the Jackson 5, but he remained largely unknown to the public until Michael Jacksons rise to superstardom. Michaels fame, as well as that of his sister Janet, eventually rubbed off on Jackson, as he was considered the mastermind behind a musical dynasty. But that fame eventually morphed into infamy in the late 1980s, when Jacksons alleged maltreatment of his children came to light. Without Jackson, the world may never have experienced the talents of Michael and Janet, but without them, no one would have known his name anyway.

LaVar Ball


In the late 2010s, the NBA found one of its biggest personalities in someone who was neither a player nor a coach: LaVar Ball. Although he dabbled in college basketball and professional football, Ball was by no means a household name. That changed around 2016 when his sons, Lonzo and LaMelo, began making waves in the basketball world. Ball seized the moment, becoming a brash, polarizing figure known as much for promoting his sons as for his outrageous claims. He founded a sports apparel company, tried launching his own basketball league and became a fixture on talk shows. Every appearance Ball made came with the swagger of someone who knew the cameras loved him, because his sons talents made sure they showed up in the first place.

Kris Jenner

When you hear the word momager, the first name that probably comes to mind is Kris Jenner. The matriarch of the Kardashian-Jenner clan, Jenner always had connections to the Hollywood elite, initially through her first husband, Robert Kardashian. However, it was her daughters rise to fame, particularly Kim Kardashians infamous sex tape, that paved the way for her to enter the spotlight. Jenner spun those 15 minutes of scandal into a reality TV juggernaut and launched successful modeling careers for her daughters, Kendall and Kylie. Ultimately, she managed to grow the family name into a billion-dollar brand. Although she wasnt born into fame, Jenner built an empire by keeping her daughters at the center of attention, while lingering close enough to stay in the frame.

Billy Ray Cyrus

Granted, Billy Ray Cyrus had his first hit song Achy Breaky Heart in 1992, which made him a brief country music sensation before his famous child was even born. However, he largely faded away from the mainstream afterwards, until years later when that child, Miley Cyrus, became an international star through her role on Hannah Montana. Interestingly, Cyrus played her on-screen dad on the show, which reintroduced him to a younger audience. His association with his daughter helped revive his career, leading to a return to the music charts and new acting opportunities. In fact, Cyrus feature on Lil Nas Xs chart-topping hit Old Town Road may never have happened if the rapper hadnt first discovered him through Hannah Montana.

Tina Knowles

As the mother of Beyoncé and Solange Knowles, Tina Knowles has remained in the public eye for as long as her daughters have been famous. Originally a hair dresser and fashion designer in Houston, Knowles played a pivotal role in shaping Destinys Childs image by designing their costumes and styling their hair. When Beyoncés solo career took off, Knowles became more visible in the entertainment industry, co-founding the fashion line House of Deréon with her. She has also appeared in several of Beyoncés music videos, and starred in various television shows and films. Although Knowles had talent and business acumen in her own right, it was her daughters fame that gave a broader reach and made her a widely recognized figure.


Are there any other nepo parents hiding in plain sight? Put the spotlight on them in the comments below.