Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Sandra Bullock’s 2 Adopted Kids, Louis and Laila
She’s starred in several critically acclaimed films, but nothing makes Sandra Bullock prouder than being a parent. Her journey through motherhood hasn’t been the easiest, but the Bird Box star — who is the mom of her two kids, son Louis Bardo Bullock and daughter Laila Bullock — couldn’t be happier.
Sandra was previously married to TV personality Jesse James in 2005, but the former couple officially divorced five years later in 2010. Between her highly publicized split and the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, something in Sandra’s heart told her she was destined for motherhood.
In June 2018, the actress opened up about why she initially chose adoption in a teary-eyed interview with Parenting. “I did think, ‘Maybe not.’ Then [Hurricane] Katrina happened,” the Blind Side star shared. “I’m going to cry … Katrina happened in New Orleans and something told me, ‘My child is there.’ It was weird.”
Even though Sandra had many doubts about going through with adoption — which ended up being a long, four-year wait — nothing felt better than holding Louis in her arms for the first time in 2010. “The beautiful thing that I was constantly told was, ‘The perfect child will find you. You will find your child,'” the brunette beauty told host Hoda Kotb during an appearance on Today. “But you don’t believe that when it’s not happening. When you’re going, ‘Where is my family?'”
Adopting Louis was a huge blessing for Sandra in more ways than one. Besides making her a mom, the growing youngster actually convinced the Proposal star to adopt a second child in 2015. The Academy Award winner explained that she and a group of close friends were having a conversation about their daughters when Louis butted in.
The adorable kiddo, who was 3 years old at the time, jokingly said, “‘Yeah, I don’t have daughters. But I’m going to have a baby soon!'” Sandra sweetly recalled. “I realized at that time, maybe he knew something. And when I think about it, it would have been around the time that Laila was born.”
Since becoming the doting mama of her adorable kids, Sandra couldn’t feel more grateful. She’s especially thankful to longtime boyfriend Bryan Randall, who effortlessly filled in as the role of stepdad after the two began dating in 2015.
“Bryan’s secret to being a great father, which Sandra tries to mimic, is just being present, listening, instilling good solid values and correcting them when they stray in a calm, conducive manner,” an insider exclusively shared with Closer. “Most important of all — Bryan just likes having fun with the kids.”
To learn more about Louis and Laila, keep scrolling!
Louis Bardo Bullock
Sandra experienced motherhood for the first time when she adopted her eldest son, Louis, in 2010. Although she’s one of Hollywood’s most famous stars, the loving mom has done her best to keep her kiddos out of the spotlight. Fortunately, every now and then fans will get a glimpse of the mother-son duo when they’re spotted on rare outings around town.
Even though Sandra’s little man is still young, she’s teaching Louis — and even Laila — the importance of being grateful. In fact, a source close to the Gravity alum revealed Sandra has a different way of celebrating the holidays.
“Louis and Laila only get three gifts each, which is plenty when you realize some children get nothing,” the insider told Closer Weekly in December 2019. “Sandra is raising kids who care about giving back, sharing, and more importantly realize how blessed they are. Louis and Laila may be young, but they get it.”
During a previous interview with People, Sandra opened up about what it means to be an adoptive mom. “We’re very lucky that we get to live in this moment in time where we get to choose what our family looks like,” she gushed in 2018. “And I got to do that in real life.”
In a May 2018 interview with InStyle, Sandra shared that Louis is “supersensitive.” She jokingly calls him her “78-year-old son.” The Oscar winner went on to say that her son is “wise and kind.” Sandra revealed in a November 2021 appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live that Louis gave her some very useful career advice in the past. He was only 6 years old at the time when he told her not to accept an “unfortunate” movie role.
“I was approached by something … but my son said not to do it,” the actress said. “I was kind of not in the place that Louis felt I should be … and he was actually right!”
The Heat star also shared that Louis does not watch any of her movies. He is more into watching Spider-Man or Japanese anime instead. Sandra joked that she is “not his cup of tea” but there is nothing but love between them.
Laila Bullock
The Golden Globe winner completed her family when sweet Laila came along in 2015. Like Louis, Sandra shields her youngest kiddo from her fame and Hollywood superstardom, so there’s not much we know about her only daughter.
However, Laila made a rare video appearance for the first time in May 2020 when she joined Sandra for a virtual chat on Red Table Talk. At the time, Laila appeared on the screen to thank the frontline workers fighting against the coronavirus pandemic.
Following her daughter’s sweet message, Sandra praised Laila for being “the one who’s going to save the world” in her family. “She’s our world’s superhero,” the While You Were Sleeping actress marveled. “She’s ready to join [the nurses] out there … in a few years!”
Despite Sandra’s superstar status, Louis and Laila don’t look at their mom as a famous actress. “They just know her as mommy,” a second source told Closer. “Louis and Laila are two of the most polite and well-behaved children I know. There’s not an ounce of brattiness, what you might expect from Hollywood kids, and that’s because Sandra is nothing but a mom to them.”
In a November 2021 interview with People, Sandra shared that she believes Laila “is going to be President of the United States.” Laila is ambitious and smart just like her famous mama and also has a great sense of humor. When asked if Laila and Louis think she is cool, Sandra did not hesitate to give an honest answer.
“No, not at all. Not unless I bring home some kind of treat. Last night I came home with donuts. I was so incredibly cool at that moment!” she joked.
