Mark Wahlberg Congratulates Daughter on 18th Birthday and Honors Sister on Death Anniversary

“Daddy’s Home” star Mark Wahlberg shared adorable throwback photos of his daughter and sister to celebrate the former’s 18th birthday and honor the latter’s death anniversary.

With a career spanning over three decades, Mark Wahlberg is one of the most respected actors in Hollywood nowadays. However, he is also the proud dad of four kids.

Wahlberg and his wife, Rhea Durham, may have been married for 12 years already, but the only child born after they tied the knot was Grace, their youngest, born in 2010.

WAHLBERG AND DURHAM’S KIDS

Before the couple tied the knot in a lavish ceremony in July 2009, they welcomed Ella in 2003, Michael in 2006, and Brendan in 2008.

The “Transformers” actor once confessed that having two daughters made him a good and real man as it changed his perspective on many things and helped him respect women even more.

Now, Ella is all grown up as she turned 18 on September 2, 2021. Wahlberg shared an adorable throwback photo of himself holding Ella as a baby to mark the special date.

In the caption, he wished her a happy birthday and admitted to being proud of her. Wahlberg also included a photo of his late sister, Deborah Donnelly-Wahlberg.

DONNELLY-WAHLBERG’S PASSING

The actor pointed out that it was a “bittersweet day” because he missed Donnelly-Wahlberg – Ella’s “guardian angel” – who passed away the very same day Ella was born.

[Alma’s] depression improved after participating in the family’s TV show.

Donnelly-Wahlberg had been getting treatment in a Boston hospital for what doctors believed was a kidney stone, but she suddenly suffered a heart attack during a procedure.

Her death deeply impacted the family, and Wahlberg even admitted it was especially hard on his mom, Alma, who essentially lost her identity to her depression.

ROOTING FROM AFAR

Earlier this year, Wahlberg confessed he was not allowed to get out of his car during his children’s football practices or games to give them room to build their own identities.

As per Alma, her depression improved after participating in the family’s TV show “Wahlburgers,” but she passed away in April 2021 after struggling with dementia. Rest in peace, Alma.