Comedy icon Eddie Murphy has offered a rare glimpse into his personal life, sharing heartfelt reflections on managing his extensive family of ten children with five different women. The 64-year-old star, currently celebrating fifty years in entertainment, spoke openly about his unexpected journey into large-scale fatherhood.
A Family That 'Just Happened'
Murphy frankly admitted he never planned to have such a large family, telling People magazine that his brood of ten 'just happened'. The actor, known for his fiercely guarded privacy, revealed that despite the unconventional path to building his family, he now considers his children his greatest blessing.
'I never knew I would have 10 kids, but now it's the best thing ever,' Murphy declared. 'If you can afford that many kids, you should have as many kids as you can afford. That is fun.'
Meet Eddie Murphy's Children
The comedian's family spans several decades, beginning with his firstborn son Eric, now 36, whom he welcomed with Paulette McNeely in 1989. His family expanded significantly during his thirteen-year marriage to Nicole Mitchell, with whom he shares five children: Bria (35), Myles (33), Shayne (31), Zola (25), and Bella (23).
Between meeting and marrying Mitchell, Murphy also welcomed son Christian, now 34, with Tamara Hood. His family includes his 18-year-old trans son Angel, whom he shares with former Spice Girl Mel B. Though Murphy initially questioned paternity claims, a DNA test confirmed he was Angel's father when the child was two months old.
Murphy's two youngest children are Izzy, nine, and Max, six, whom he shares with Australian model Paige Butcher. The couple began dating in 2012 and married last year, completing Murphy's diverse family portrait.
Life Transformation Through Fatherhood
In his forthcoming Netflix documentary Being Eddie, Murphy discusses how fatherhood fundamentally changed his perspective and priorities. 'My kids are the center of everything,' he reveals in the film. 'Before kids it's just about you, once you have kids it's all about them.'
The star contrasted his previous lifestyle with his current family-focused existence, noting he 'used to stay up two days sometimes before going to bed' but now enjoys quieter evenings with his wife, watching Seinfeld before bedtime.
Murphy expressed particular pride in the character of his children, stating: 'My children are all decent people. I don't have one rotten one, and I would like to think that they got some of that from me.'
Overcoming Childhood Trauma
The Brooklyn-born comic also opened up about his difficult childhood, revealing his parents Charles and Lillian split when he was just three. Tragedy struck when his father was murdered by a girlfriend when Murphy was eight years old.
'I'm sure it affected me a bunch of different ways,' Murphy reflected. 'There was a lot of trauma, and we're shaped by that stuff.'
He credited his stepfather Vernon Lynch, Sr., whom his mother later married, with providing stability and positive influence during his formative years. 'By the grace of God, my mother married an amazing, solid man who put all the right s*** in me. That's crucial. It makes a huge difference,' Murphy said.
The documentary also addresses the profound loss of his older brother Charlie Murphy, who died of leukemia in 2017 at age 57. Through these personal revelations, Murphy showcases the resilience that has characterised both his personal life and his five-decade entertainment career.
Reflecting on his enduring success and personal philosophy, Murphy observed: 'My most important blessing is that I love myself. I've always loved myself, always been my biggest fan. That's at the core of all of the decisions that you make.'
