Kerry Washington is a name that’s become synonymous with grace, talent, and thoughtful storytelling, both on and off the screen. While fans know her for her powerful roles in shows like Scandal and movies like Django Unchained, many are curious about her life behind the spotlight—especially her role as a mom. So, if you’ve ever wondered about kerry washington kids, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’ll walk through the lives of her three children, how she and her husband raise them, and why they choose to keep their family life so private.
As a mother of three, Kerry Washington has always been vocal about how much her kids mean to her. She often shares heartfelt thoughts about motherhood, but rarely ever shows their faces or shares too much detail. It’s a choice she and her husband, Nnamdi Asomugha, have made together to protect their kids’ privacy. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to learn about them—on the contrary, there’s quite a bit we do know, and we’ll cover it all.
Whether you’re a fan of Kerry’s work, a parent curious about how celebrities handle raising kids in the public eye, or just love a good heartwarming family story, this post is for you. Let’s dive into the lives of Kerry Washington’s children, her parenting style, and what she’s said about being a mom to three amazing kids.
Table of Contents
- Kerry Washington: A Quick Biography
- Meet Kerry Washington’s Kids
- How Kerry Washington Approaches Parenting
- Why She Keeps Her Kids Out of the Spotlight
- Frequently Asked Questions
Kerry Washington: A Quick Biography
Kerry Washington was born on January 31, 1977, in the Bronx, New York City. She’s the daughter of Earl Washington, a real estate broker, and Valerie Washington, an educational consultant and professor. Kerry has always had a passion for storytelling and performing, which led her to pursue acting both in college and professionally.
She rose to fame with her role as Olivia Pope in the hit TV series Scandal, which aired from 2012 to 2018. Since then, she’s continued to build a strong career in film, television, and stage, while also becoming a respected voice in conversations around race, identity, and equality.
Off-screen, she’s known for being a devoted wife and mother. In 2013, she married Nnamdi Asomugha, a former NFL player and now a producer and activist. Together, they have three children—two biological kids and a stepdaughter from Nnamdi’s previous relationship.
Kerry Washington At a Glance
Full Name | Kerry Marisa Washington |
---|---|
Birthday | January 31, 1977 |
Birthplace | The Bronx, New York City, USA |
Parents | Earl Washington (Father), Valerie Washington (Mother) |
Spouse | Nnamdi Asomugha (m. 2013) |
Children | Isabelle Amarachi Asomugha (b. 2014), Caleb Kelechi Asomugha (b. 2016), and Anaiya (stepdaughter) |
Occupation | Actress, Producer, Activist |
Meet Kerry Washington’s Kids
While Washington keeps her children’s lives mostly out of the public eye, she has shared a few key details about them over the years. Let’s take a closer look at each one.
Isabelle Amarachi Asomugha
Isabelle is Kerry and Nnamdi’s first child together, born on April 21, 2014. Her full name, Isabelle Amarachi, is meaningful. “Amarachi” is a Nigerian name that means “grace” or “blessing,” which connects to her father’s heritage. Kerry has spoken about how becoming a mother changed her life for the better.
She told People magazine not long after Isabelle’s birth that “motherhood just made my life better in every way.” It’s clear that becoming a mom brought her a new kind of joy and fulfillment.
Caleb Kelechi Asomugha
Caleb is the couple’s second biological child, born in October 2016. Like his sister, his full name, Caleb Kelechi, also has roots in Nigerian culture. “Kelechi” means “praise God” or “thank you, God.”
While there isn’t much public information about Caleb’s personality or hobbies, Kerry has mentioned how much she loves the sibling bond between her kids. She’s said that the three children get along beautifully and support each other a lot.
Anaiya (Stepdaughter)
In addition to Isabelle and Caleb, Kerry is also a stepmom to Anaiya, Nnamdi’s daughter from a previous relationship. Kerry has always been very open about how much Anaiya means to her and how much she loves being a mother figure in her life.
Though Anaiya is older than Isabelle and Caleb, Kerry has mentioned that the three siblings have a strong connection and enjoy spending time together. It’s clear that family is a huge priority for them, and they work hard to build a loving, supportive environment for all three kids.
How Kerry Washington Approaches Parenting
Kerry Washington is known for her thoughtful and intentional approach to parenting. In interviews and in her memoir, she’s shared a lot about her values, how she and Nnamdi work together as a team, and how she tries to be present for her kids.
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Kerry and Nnamdi are often described as a power couple, not just because they’re both successful in their own right, but because of how they handle parenting together. They’ve talked about how important it is for them to share responsibilities and support each other in raising their kids.
She once said that having a partner who shares your parenting values makes all the difference. It’s not just about dividing the tasks, but about being on the same page when it comes to discipline, education, and emotional support.
Motherhood as a Source of Strength
Kerry has said that becoming a mom gave her a new kind of strength and perspective. In her memoir, she wrote about how motherhood helped her grow emotionally and spiritually. She also talked about how it made her more grounded and focused, especially during busy times in her career.
She’s mentioned that having kids has made her more compassionate and more aware of the world around her. She wants to raise children who are kind, curious, and aware of their place in the world.
Teaching Values Through Action
Washington believes in leading by example. She wants her kids to learn about kindness, resilience, and empathy by seeing how she and Nnamdi treat others. She also makes it a point to talk openly with them about important issues like race, identity, and social justice.
She’s said that she tries to be honest with them but also age-appropriate in how she explains complex topics. She wants her kids to grow up feeling empowered, not overwhelmed.
Why She Keeps Her Kids Out of the Spotlight
One of the most notable things about Kerry Washington’s parenting style is how private she keeps her children. Even though she’s a public figure, she rarely shares photos of her kids’ faces or too many personal details about their lives.
Protecting Their Childhood
Kerry has been very clear about her reasons for keeping her kids out of the public eye. She believes that childhood is a time to be protected and that kids should be allowed to grow up without the pressure of fame.
She’s said in interviews that she wants her kids to have a normal life as much as possible. That means school, playdates, sports, and other everyday experiences—not red carpets or interviews.
Setting Boundaries for Their Sake
It’s not just about avoiding paparazzi or social media pressure. Kerry and Nnamdi have also set clear boundaries around what they share publicly. They rarely post pictures of their kids’ faces on social media and avoid talking about them in detail during interviews.
She’s mentioned that she wants her children to be able to decide for themselves how much of their lives they want to share with the world when they’re older.
Finding Balance Between Fame and Family
It’s not always easy being a celebrity parent. There’s constant attention and pressure to be “on” all the time. But Kerry has found a way to balance her work and her family life by making thoughtful choices.
She’s said that she tries to schedule her work around her kids’ needs as much as possible. That might mean turning down certain roles or projects if they’d interfere too much with family time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Kids Does Kerry Washington Have?
Kerry Washington has three children in total. Two are her biological children with husband Nnamdi Asomugha—Isabelle Amarachi (born 2014) and Caleb Kelechi (born 2016). She’s also stepmom to Nnamdi’s daughter from a previous relationship, Anaiya.
Why Does Kerry Washington Keep Her Kids Private?
Kerry and Nnamdi choose to keep their kids private to protect their privacy and childhood. They believe that kids should be able to grow up away from the pressures of the spotlight and make their own decisions about their public presence when they’re older.
What Has Kerry Washington Said About Motherhood?
Kerry has spoken openly about how much motherhood means to her. She’s said that being a mom has made her life better in every way and helped her grow emotionally and spiritually. She’s also written about it in her memoir, sharing personal stories about her journey into parenthood.
If you'd like to learn more about celebrity parenting styles and how other public figures handle raising kids in the spotlight, you can Learn more about parenting in the public eye here.