A Look at Katherine Heigl’s Three Children: Naleigh, Adalaide, and Joshua

Katherine Heigl with her family.
Credit: Katherine Heigl Instagram

Katherine Heigl is focused on raising her three children away from the limelight, emphasizing a family-oriented lifestyle grounded in personal values and tranquility.

The star of Firefly Lane shares daughters Naleigh, 16, and Adalaide, 13, along with son Joshua, 9, with husband Josh Kelley. The couple first met during the filming of Kelley’s music video "Only You" in 2005 and married in December 2007 in Park City, Utah.

Heigl and Kelley have expressed their eagerness to start a family from the outset. "I always thought I’d be scared, but I’m ready," Kelley shared before their wedding. "I’m 27, and I feel I’ve done more than most people will do in a lifetime. I’m ready to settle down, start a family and build my Kelley empire."

The couple welcomed their first child in September 2009 when they adopted Naleigh from South Korea. They expanded their family with the adoption of Adalaide in 2012 and the birth of Joshua in 2017.

Residing on a ranch in Utah since 2010, Heigl notes that the location allows their family to live quietly. "In our minds, this became the best place to be for our family," she stated. "It’s quiet, and there’s a different way of living here. Our time is centered around being home and being together… there is just more time for each other."

While Heigl opts to keep her children’s lives private, she regularly shares her family moments on social media. In a January 2023 interview with NewBeauty, Heigl discussed instilling values in her daughters about self-worth and avoiding the need to please others. "I keep saying, ‘I need you to understand that that is not your job,’" she explained.

Nancy Leigh "Naleigh" Mi-Eun Kelley, 16

Naleigh, adopted in 2009, was born with a congenital heart issue and underwent surgery before joining her new family. Heigl has noted that adoption was always part of their family plan, citing her sister’s own adoption from Korea as inspiration. "I wanted my own family to resemble the one I came from," Heigl stated.

As a teenager, Naleigh is one of the few in her grade without a personal phone, an arrangement that Heigl attributes to concerns about social media influence. Her mother humorously recounted Naleigh’s attempts to create TikTok videos using iPads when her back is turned.

On Naleigh’s 13th birthday, Heigl expressed her emotional connection to her daughter in an Instagram tribute, stating, "This girl. The girl that made me a mother. This girl turns 13 today. I can’t seem to process it."

Naleigh has occasionally accompanied her mother to work events, even appearing on The View, where her charm captured attention. Reflecting on early motherhood, Heigl admitted worries about bonding time, saying, "I was always afraid I had missed this opportunity to bond with her."

Adalaide Marie Hope Kelley, 13

Heigl and Kelley adopted Adalaide from Louisiana in 2012. Heigl described the adoption as "serendipitous," explaining the couple’s initial struggles with international adoption. Just as they began exploring domestic options, they received a call about Adalaide from a birth mother who was due in four weeks.

With time, both Naleigh and Adalaide have become more curious about their roots. "We don’t have any information about your biological fathers, but we do have a bit about your biological mothers," Heigl informed her daughters.

Describing Adalaide’s personality, Heigl remarked, "She’s my pistol, all piss and vinegar." Adalaide has expressed a desire to pursue interests like barrel racing and enjoys making Naleigh laugh.

Joshua Bishop Kelley Jr., 9

In June 2016, Heigl and Kelley announced they were expecting their third child, with the family feeling "overflowing with joy and gratitude" upon Joshua’s birth later that year. Heigl described his arrival as a surprise, as they had discussed options for expanding their family.

Now in kindergarten, Joshua shows a keen interest in superheroes and has also shown enthusiasm for helping his mother on set, often donning a director’s headset while visiting during filming.

As the family’s youngest member, Joshua’s entry into kindergarten marked a sentimental moment for Heigl. Reflecting on the experience, she humorously commented about the conflicting emotions of joy and nostalgia, stating, "I feel funny. Like maybe I might start crying."

Through it all, Heigl maintains a commitment to a grounding family life, striving to balance her professional commitments while nurturing her children’s upbringing in a loving and supportive environment.