Olympic figure skater and former U.S. ambassador to Belize, Michelle Kwan, recently celebrated the birth of her second child. She proudly unveiled her newborn daughter to the press, whose name will be Della Rose Kwan. The 45-year-old former sports star made the happy revelation on her verified Instagram account. She told us that her heart “doubled in a second” when she first held her new baby.
In 2022, Kwan became a mom for the first time, welcoming her daughter, Kalista Belle. She was able to quickly articulate the raw emotion she experienced watching her oldest daughter meet her new sister. She called it a moment that “brought tears to [her] eyes. That’s a testament to the incredible connection that’s already developing within her family.
In her emotional farewell post, Kwan shared how she combined her political career with her new life as a mom. Like many Olympians, as a former elite competitive athlete, she once trained beyond her body’s limits. She saw the amazing potential of the human body. Kwan stated, “Carrying another life has left me in even greater awe.” That feeling of empowerment reflects the bravery and tenacity she’s fostered over the course of her life and work.
Since Kwan’s announcement her move has received overwhelming support from like-minded athletes and friends on social media. Prominent members of the professional figure skating world, such as Tara Lipinski and Adam Rippon, offered their congratulations. She congratulated him with these words of exuberance: “I am so happy for you and your family. Fellow Olympians Ibtihaj Muhammad and Allyson Felix took to social media to congratulate Kwan on her growing family.
The former pro athlete didn’t pull any punches when it came to the difficulty so many have in building their family. Kwan shared a poignant message to those experiencing infertility or hoping to build a family, stating, “To all the moms, moms-to-be, and the women and families dealing with infertility or praying to build a family — I know what you’re going through and I’m hoping you feel loved and supported in every way as you navigate this journey.”
Reflecting on her own path to motherhood, Kwan revealed, “I’ve always dreamt of having children, and when Kalista came into the world, I was already beyond grateful for a miracle that once felt impossible after years of trying.” Her words echo the sentiments of so many who have experienced this same fight on their paths.
