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Famous Parents Whose Children Attended Ivy League Universities
15 Celebrity Parents Whose Kids Went to Ivy League Schools
Having a famous last name certainly comes with privileges—front-row seats, red carpets, and a foot in the door of just about any industry. Yet when it comes to gaining admission to the Ivy League, being a "nepo baby" isn’t enough: you need the academic grades and drive to match. While many celebrity offspring choose other educational paths, a select group has managed to make headlines not just for their family ties but for their own stellar academic achievements at some of the nation’s most prestigious universities.
Ivy League Aspirations: More Than a Famous Last Name
For celebrity kids, attending an Ivy League school is about proving themselves beyond their well-known lineage. Even with their parents’ support—and sometimes, a dash of extra attention from admissions—these students must work just as hard as their classmates to earn their degrees. Take Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck’s daughter Violet, for instance: in her freshman year at Yale, she was published in the Global Health Review for her insightful paper on California wildfires, showing academic prowess that would impress any admissions board.
Similarly, Jodie Foster’s son Kit Bernard graduated from Princeton in 2024 with a degree in chemistry—hardly a walk in the park, and proof of the focus and ambition required of Ivy Leaguers. Jodie Foster, who herself is a Yale alum, has spoken with pride about Kit’s achievements, noting his dedication to science rather than acting careers.
Parents Celebrating Their Grads
Other celebrities are equally proud as their children follow the Ivy path. Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick’s son, James Wilkie, graduated from Brown University in 2025 and has voiced his hopes to pursue acting, merging family tradition with a strong educational foundation. Parker has emphasized the importance of fulfillment and self-reliance in her children’s education, as she shared in interviews with E! News Sitdown with Bruce Bozzi.
Meanwhile, Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin’s son Moses joined the ranks of Brown University students in Fall 2024. Paltrow has openly discussed the bittersweetness of seeing her children leave for college, sharing her reflections in The Sunday Times as Moses celebrated his 19th birthday via a touching FaceTime call—a moment she commemorated on Instagram with glowing praise of his intellect and talent.
“You are deeply kind and brilliant. You have an incredible intellect and you are so gifted, so talented. I listen to your music on repeat and miss you so much at college. And today more than ever. I love you, my boy.”
—Gwyneth Paltrow on Instagram
Generations of Ivy Pride
This academic tradition often runs in families. George Stephanopoulos and Ali Wentworth proudly watched their daughter Elliott graduate from Brown University, celebrated in an enthusiastic Instagram post. Their younger daughter has continued the academic journey at Vanderbilt, proving that intellectual ambition is a family affair.
For Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, their daughter Carys’s graduation from Brown in 2025 marked the second time they’d cheered on a child receiving an Ivy League degree—their son Dylan paved the way with his graduation in 2022. The entire family’s milestones have been joyfully shared with fans on Instagram, underlining how these moments are treasured in the spotlight and at home.
Beyond Hollywood: Presidential and Political Lineages
It isn’t just movie stars whose children attend Ivy League schools. Former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s daughter Malia made headlines when she attended Harvard, with the former president candidly recounting the emotional drop-off day in interviews with E! News.
Donald Trump’s legacy at the University of Pennsylvania runs deep, with all three of his older children—Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Tiffany—attending the family alma mater. This tradition was often in the public eye, particularly during Trump’s presidency, highlighting the ongoing connection between the Trumps and the Ivy League.
More Notable Ivy League Families
- Conan O’Brien and Liza Powel O’Brien: Their daughter Neve attends Yale and contributes illustrations to the Yale Daily News Magazine.
- Denzel Washington and Pauletta Washington: Denzel’s daughter Katia graduated from Yale, while son Malcolm attended the University of Pennsylvania and was an athlete before completing his studies at Fordham.
- Jodie Foster and Cydney Bernard: With both sons attending Ivies (Yale and Princeton), Foster’s family illustrates the deep-rooted value placed on education.
The Balancing Act: Fame, Family, and Academic Achievement
The success stories of these celebrity kids underscore an important truth: while connections might open doors, sustained dedication and talent are needed to walk through them. Whether they become published scholars, pursue careers in the arts, or blaze entirely new trails, these students prove that celebrity status is only part of their story.
It’s also worth noting that while some saw their Ivy journey completed with a degree, others spent a formative year or two before taking different paths—a reminder that higher education is just one chapter in an evolving personal journey.
For deeper looks at famous families and their shared college experiences, explore similar stories such as how the Obamas and Kennedys have established generational ties to Harvard, or how Brown and Yale have long been home to the children of celebrated figures, both artistic and political.
Related Reading and Social Moments
- See Gwyneth Paltrow’s heartfelt Instagram birthday post for Moses, where she shares her pride and love as he studies at Brown University.
- Read more about George Stephanopoulos’s Instagram celebration for Elliott’s graduation from Brown and Catherine Zeta-Jones’s beaming family photos marking Carys’s academic milestone.
- Interested in more? Discover the full stories of other celebrity families who have made Ivy League education part of their legacy at Ranker’s feature on famous parents and college traditions, and learn about other celebrities who attended top universities at People’s in-depth roundup.
The message is clear: in these families, embracing both privilege and personal effort makes every cap-and-gown moment one to celebrate—on campus, at home, and often in front of millions of fans cheering right along.
Images and Instagram posts mentioned are publicly viewable via each celebrity’s official profiles. For more details on graduation stories among celebrity families in 2025, Hello! Magazine shares exclusive highlights and photos.
