Sarah Jessica Parker & 7 Siblings Vowed to Late Stepdad to Care For Widowed Mom Who Quit Job to Raise Them

• Sarah Jessica Parker spent the last minutes with her beloved stepfather, who died, leaving his wife of 54 years widowed.

• The "Sex and The City" actress and her seven siblings were raised in poverty by their mother and stepfather.

• A grieving Sarah Jessica Parker and her siblings promised their late stepfather they'd care for their widowed mother.

On September 30, 2022, Sarah Jessica Parker took to her Instagram to share some heartbreaking news. The actress uploaded a throwback black and white image of her stepfather when he was a much younger man.

"The Family Stone" star's late stepfather, Paul Giffin Forste, was born in 1946 and died in 2022. His famous stepdaughter also shared in her tribute post that she wished her beloved stepfather could rest in peace.

The star wished Paul "godspeed." The "And Just Like That..." actress also noted how Barbara's late husband had been strong until the end and shared that he'd died at home.

She explained how her stepfather was surrounded by the people who loved him dearly when he passed on. Sarah confessed that Paul would always be missed before vowing this about her and her seven siblings:

"We will take good care of Mommy, who you worshipped for 54 years."

The touching tribute to her stepfather was how he and the "Hocus Pocus 2" star's mother did their best to raise eight children. Despite growing up in poverty, Sarah and her many siblings had a good upbringing.

Sarah's Upbringing with Seven Other Siblings

In 2006, the Toledo Blade newspaper noted how Sarah was initially the youngest of four children. The article revealed that she was born into a struggling Nelsonville, Ohio, family.

Her parents, Stephen and Barbara Parker, separated when she was a two-year-old toddler. A year after the divorce, Sarah's mother married Paul and moved with him to Cincinnati.

With Forster, the actress' mother had four more children making the family consist of five sons and three daughters. Barbara sacrificed her teaching job to be able to raise her large brood.

In the article, Sarah recalled how she wasn't raised with privilege or money, and her biological father had been a poet. While Paul worked as a truck driver and ran a bus and truck transportation business, his wife cared for their children.

According to a New York Times article, Barbara's "biggest regret" was not having developed her interests. Having to raise so many children didn't give her a chance to recall what her interests were.

Sarah's family lived for a while on Roosevelt Island before Paul and his wife bought a house in Englewood. The actress explained the move by saying her parents believed New York was the wrong place for her and her siblings to be raised.

Her mother and stepfather thought their offspring needed a yard, trees, and other children to play with. However, during 1982's winter, the house's pipes burst, and the family had to move to a nearby Teaneck home where they rented.

The family decided to remain there partly because the town's school system was ''academically very strong.'' In 1983, Sarah had chosen not to go to college and wanted to act full-time, and her mother was "ambivalent" about the decision.

Barbara wondered if her daughter had missed out on living normally. After starring in the Broadway musical "Annie," At 18, Sarah was prepared for everyday life and helped her mother to drive a carpool to pick up her siblings.

Speaking to The New York Times in 2000, the "All Roads Lead to Rome" actress recalled her childhood as "Dickensian" because of how poor they were. She remembered times when they didn't have electricity, Christmas celebrations, or birthdays.

Debt collectors would visit, or the phone company would turn off their phones. The star's siblings were then old enough to pick up the daunting calls or to watch their mother reacting or their parents moving money around to afford things.

Neither Sarah's biological father nor her stepfather earned enough to support the large family. Despite her difficult upbringing, the actress had no bitterness about it and remembered it fondly, and remained close to her parents and siblings.

The family revealed how Paul [Giffin Forste] would be remembered for his faith in "the spirit of loving kindness" and the light he had for his 13 grandchildren.

Sadly, tragedy struck the star's family while the "I Don't Know How She Does It" star was at a prestigious event. The actress had to rush away to be with her stepfather and to say goodbye during his last moments on Earth.

Sarah's Last Moments with Her Stepfather - Sacrificing Being Honored at an Event

According to Page Six, on September 28, 2022, Sarah was at the 10th Annual Fall Fashion Gala at the New York City Ballet. She was being honored at the event when she had to withdraw at the last minute due to a "family emergency."

An alleged source who attended the gala said the actress didn't make it to the event held at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center. Instead, it was announced that Sarah had to miss the event due to a "sudden devastating family situation."

Paul passed away at age 76, with his family releasing a touching statement on September 29, 2022. Sarah's family shared how "sad" they were to announce his death from a rapid and unexpected illness, noting:

"In his last moments, he was surrounded with the love and gratitude of his adored wife Barbara of 54 years, and children, including Sarah Jessica Parker."

The family revealed how Paul would be remembered for his faith in "the spirit of loving kindness" and the light he had for his 13 grandchildren. The family would also hold on to Sarah's stepfather's belief in making the world more tolerant, charitable, and beautiful.

The "First Wives Club" star is the vice chair of the New York City Ballet Board of Directors. Sarah, whose mother was married to her stepfather for 54 years, was also one of the founders of the Fall Fashion Gala, which was created over a decade ago.