Millie Bobby Brown: From Stranger Things Star to Young Mother Through Adoption
The entertainment world was recently surprised by joyful news as Millie Bobby Brown, the beloved Stranger Things actress, announced that she and her husband Jake Bongiovi have welcomed their first child through adoption. At just 21 years old, Brown has achieved remarkable success as an actress, producer, entrepreneur, and now a mother, proving that age is just a number when it comes to following your dreams. Her journey from a young girl with acting aspirations to a global superstar married to rock royalty (yes, Jake is Jon Bon Jovi's son) reads like a modern fairy tale, complete with supernatural powers, detective mysteries, and now a beautiful family expansion that has captured hearts worldwide.
The Young Star's Incredible Rise to Fame
Millie Bobby Brown's story began in an unexpected place - Marbella, Spain, where she was born on February 19, 2004, to British parents Kelly and Robert Brown. If someone had told her parents back then that their daughter would become one of the most recognizable faces on the planet before her 21st birthday, they might have thought it was stranger than fiction. But as they say, truth can be stranger than things - pun intended!
The Brown family's journey took them from Spain to Bournemouth, England, when Millie was around four years old, and later to Orlando, Florida, when she was eight. It was during a weekend acting workshop in Florida that a talent scout discovered young Millie and told her parents she had "instincts you cannot teach". Within months, the family had moved to Los Angeles, and Millie landed her first professional role in Once Upon a Time in Wonderland.
Her early television appearances included guest spots on popular shows like Modern Family, Grey's Anatomy, and NCIS. However, it was her starring role in the BBC series Intruders in 2014 that really showcased her acting abilities. Little did anyone know that this was just the warm-up act for what would become her career-defining role.
Stranger Things Success: How Old is Millie Bobby Brown When Lightning Struck
When Millie Bobby Brown was cast as Eleven in Stranger Things at just 12 years old, nobody could have predicted the cultural phenomenon the show would become. The Netflix series premiered in 2016 and immediately catapulted Brown into international stardom. Her portrayal of the mysterious girl with telekinetic powers earned her Emmy nominations and made her a household name practically overnight.
The financial rewards matched her critical acclaim. Brown started earning $30,000 per episode in the first two seasons, which increased to approximately $250,000 per episode by season three. For a young actress, these numbers were nothing short of extraordinary. By season four, reports suggest her earnings had reached even higher levels, contributing significantly to her estimated net worth of $14 million.
What makes Brown's performance as Eleven even more remarkable is that she was born partially deaf in her left ear and later lost all hearing in that ear. She has spoken openly about how this has not affected her acting abilities, proving that determination and talent can overcome any obstacle. After all, when you can move things with your mind on screen, who needs perfect hearing in both ears?
The Enola Holmes Adventure and Producer Prowess
Millie Bobby Brown didn't just want to act - she wanted to create. Her transition into producing came with the Enola Holmes film series, where she served as both star and producer. The first film, released in 2020, became one of Netflix's most-watched original films, with an estimated 76 million households viewing it in the first four weeks.
Brown had read The Enola Holmes Mysteries books with her sister and immediately knew she wanted to play the character. However, she was initially too young for the role, so she convinced her father they should make it into a film and partnered with Legendary Pictures. Talk about turning a "too young" problem into a "too good to pass up" opportunity!
The success of the first film led to Enola Holmes 2 in 2022, for which Brown reportedly earned $10 million. A third installment, currently in production and set in Malta, promises to continue the adventures of Sherlock Holmes' brilliant younger sister.
Love Story: Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi
The romance between Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi reads like something out of a Hollywood script. The two first connected on Instagram in 2021, initially describing themselves as "just friends". Jake, born on May 7, 2002, is the son of rock legend Jon Bon Jovi and Dorothea Hurley.
Their relationship became public in late 2021, and by April 2023, they were engaged. Jake proposed to Millie in a uniquely romantic way - underwater while they were scuba diving. As Millie recounted on The Tonight Show, "He gives me like a shell and I like turn it over and it's a ring". Unable to scream "yes" without inhaling water, she had to settle for an OK gesture instead. Now that's what you call taking the plunge!
Jon Bon Jovi has been incredibly supportive of his son's relationship, telling The Times of London, "I've gotten to know her in the last year, she works really hard, and she and Jake will grow together in their own way". He compared their young love to his own relationship with his wife, whom he met in high school, noting it was "an accelerated version of what I went through 40 years ago".
The couple tied the knot in May 2024 in a private ceremony, followed by a lavish celebration in Tuscany where Millie changed outfits four times. From custom Galia Lahav to vintage 1993 Valentino, she certainly knows how to make an entrance (and a second entrance, and a third...).
Millie Bobby Brown Baby News: The Adoption Announcement
On August 21, 2025, Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi surprised the world with the announcement that they had adopted a baby girl. The couple shared the news on Instagram, writing, "This summer, we welcomed our sweet baby girl through adoption. We are beyond excited to embark on this beautiful next chapter of parenthood in both peace and privacy".
This announcement came as a delightful surprise to many, though those who had been following Brown's interviews shouldn't have been entirely shocked. Earlier in 2025, during an appearance on the Smartless podcast, she had spoken openly about her desire to start a family young, just like her parents did. "My mom actually had her first child at 21, and my dad was 19," she shared.
Brown had also expressed her openness to adoption, stating, "For me, I don't see having your own child as really any different from adopting. My home is full of love for anyone and anything". The couple's decision to adopt demonstrates their commitment to providing a loving home regardless of how their family comes together.
The celebrity news of Millie Bobby Brown's adoption has been met with overwhelming support from fans worldwide. At 21 years old, she joins the ranks of young celebrity mothers who are balancing successful careers with family life.
Florence by Mills: Beauty Empire Building
Beyond acting and producing, Millie Bobby Brown has proven herself as a savvy entrepreneur with her beauty brand Florence by Mills. Named after her great-grandmother Florence, the brand focuses on clean, vegan, and cruelty-free products aimed at Gen Z consumers.
Launched in 2019, Florence by Mills was born out of Brown's frustration with existing beauty products that weren't suitable for young, sensitive skin. "I launched florence by mills beauty in 2019 due to the lack of clean, high-quality products available for myself and my friends," Brown explained.
The brand has been incredibly successful, becoming one of the most followed beauty accounts on social media and ranking as the third most Googled celebrity brand. In 2020, Brown and her family acquired a majority stake in the company, giving them greater control over the brand's direction.
The brand has expanded beyond skincare and makeup to include fragrance and even a coffee line. Their signature fragrance, Wildly Me, was developed in collaboration with Givaudan, a renowned fragrance house. Because if you're going to smell good while fighting demogorgons or solving mysteries, you might as well do it with your own signature scent!
Financial Success and Net Worth
Millie Bobby Brown's financial success is as impressive as her acting achievements. Her estimated net worth of $14 million at age 21 comes from multiple income streams. Her Stranger Things salary alone has earned her millions, starting at $30,000 per episode and growing to $250,000 per episode by season three.
Her film roles have been equally lucrative. She earned $6.1 million for the first Enola Holmes film and $10 million for the sequel. Add to that her earnings from Godzilla films, endorsement deals with brands like Calvin Klein and Converse, and the success of Florence by Mills, and it's clear she's built a diversified portfolio that would make any financial advisor proud.
Brown has been refreshingly honest about her relationship with money, noting in interviews that she "grew up with no money" and learned the value of financial responsibility early on. This background has clearly influenced her approach to wealth management and business decisions.
Stranger Things Season 5: The Final Chapter
As Millie Bobby Brown embarks on motherhood, fans eagerly await the final season of Stranger Things, set to premiere in 2025. The fifth season will consist of eight episodes, released in three parts across late 2025 and early 2026.
Recent teasers suggest that Eleven will develop new powers, including what appears to be the ability to fly or leap to extreme heights. Brown recently wrapped filming for the final season, and her emotional connection to the character that launched her career remains strong. As she told Vanity Fair, playing Eleven for nearly a decade has been transformative.
The show that made her famous will conclude just as she enters a new chapter of her life as a mother. It's poetic timing that speaks to the natural progression of life - from playing a character discovering her powers to discovering her own power as a mother and role model.
UNICEF Work and Philanthropy
Despite her young age, Millie Bobby Brown has used her platform for meaningful advocacy work. In 2018, at just 14 years old, she became the youngest person ever appointed as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. Her work focuses on children's rights and well-being globally, demonstrating her commitment to using her influence for positive change.
Brown has also been vocal about anti-bullying campaigns and mental health awareness, issues that resonate strongly with her young fanbase. Her advocacy work adds another dimension to her public persona, showing that she's not just talented but also socially conscious.
The Future Looks Bright
As Millie Bobby Brown begins this new chapter as a mother, her future appears limitless. With Enola Holmes 3 in production, potential new acting projects on the horizon, and a growing business empire, she continues to defy expectations about what someone can achieve by age 21.
Her adoption journey with Jake Bongiovi represents more than just personal happiness - it's a testament to their commitment to building a loving family in whatever form that takes. In a world where celebrity pregnancies often dominate headlines, their choice to adopt sends a powerful message about the many ways to create a family.
Conclusion
Millie Bobby Brown's journey from a young actress discovered in a Florida workshop to a global superstar, entrepreneur, and now mother is nothing short of remarkable. At 21, she has achieved more than many do in a lifetime, yet her story feels like it's just beginning. Her marriage to Jake Bongiovi, their adoption of a daughter, and her continued success in entertainment and business paint the picture of someone who refuses to be limited by conventional expectations.
Whether she's fighting supernatural forces as Eleven, solving mysteries as Enola Holmes, building her beauty empire with Florence by Mills, or now nurturing her adopted daughter, Millie Bobby Brown continues to inspire millions around the world. Her ability to balance career success with personal fulfillment, all while maintaining her authenticity and social consciousness, makes her a unique figure in modern entertainment.
As fans eagerly await Stranger Things' conclusion and look forward to her future projects, one thing is certain - Millie Bobby Brown's story is far from over. With Jake by her side, a daughter to raise, and a career that shows no signs of slowing down, the future holds endless possibilities for this remarkable young woman who has already changed the world in more ways than one.
And if you're wondering how old is Millie Bobby Brown now - she's 21 and just getting started. After all, some people spend their whole lives trying to figure out their purpose. Millie Bobby Brown seems to have discovered she has many purposes, and she's excelling at every single one of them. Now that's what we call having your cake and eating it too - or in her case, having your supernatural powers and adopting babies too!