Bruce Springsteen Is Raising His 3 Kids with Love — He Doesn't Want to Repeat Mistakes of His 'Angry' Dad

Despite a challenging relationship with his dad, Bruce Springsteen, The Boss, promised to be a better father to his three kids. Thankfully, he grew to understand his dad and buried the hatchet. Now, the singer is happy raising a loving family as an exemplary dad and grandfather.

Through hard work, consistency, and discipline, Bruce Springsteen etched his mark as a powerhouse in the rock and roll music genre bringing fresh sound and uniting arena rock with the life experiences of working-class Americans.

Ever since he was inspired after watching Elvis Presley play, the New Jersey native made unique music that has lasted the test of time.

The singer/songwriter first gained popularity playing in bars before creating the E Street Band. Unfortunately, the public did not immediately accept the rock and roll star until 1975, when he released "Born to Run."

Following his success with the record, Bruce became unstoppable. He racked up numerous awards, including twenty Grammys, and recorded more than sixty-five million album sales in the US.

Apart from being one of the most successful musicians of all time, his political views are well-known. In 2016, Barack Obama honored the artist with the Presidential Medal of Honor.

The E Street Band lead singer was born to working-class parents on September 23, 1949, in Long Branch, NJ. His mother, Adele, worked as a secretary in an insurance company, while his dad, Douglas, did not have a stable job. He worked in a mill and prison and later drove a bus.

Consequently, Adele's income kept the family running. While Bruce enjoyed his passion for music, his relationship with his dad was challenging. However, many years later, he forgave his father and became a better example to his three kids.

Bruce Springsteen Is Great at Fatherhood

The Grammy winner may love performing his timeless pieces, including "I'm on Fire" and "Born to Run," but nothing beats being a father to his three adorable kids, Sam, Jessica, and Evan. Also, Bruce is a happily married man.

His romance with his longtime wife, Patti Scialfa, began in 1988. Scialfa was intrigued by his music as a teenager, and eventually, they bonded over their love for great songs—she became a part of his singing band.

Bruce was deeply affected by his father's attitude, and it was only through the music he found solace. Interestingly as he made music, he began to bask in what he rebelled against.

At the time, Bruce had just divorced Julianne Phillips, yet, the fresh divorcee could not hide his attraction for his fellow band member. Before tying the knot, the unlikely couple welcomed their first child, Evan, in 1990.

The following year, they exchanged vows and added a daughter, Jessica, to their family. The couple waited for three years before giving birth to their youngest son, Sam.

The rock and roll legend has a seemingly perfect family, including a wife with a similar passion for music and supportive kids. They have attended numerous red-carpet events and music concerts throughout his career.

On the other hand, the singer has been hands-on, reciprocating the love and attention received from his kids. Despite his commitment to music, the "Dancing in the Dark" crooner is never far from his offspring.

Bruce and Scialfa's only daughter is a professional equestrian; more than once, the couple has been present to cheer her from the stands. In 2020, the singer topped the headlines for being a proud dad to his youngest son, Sam, who was sworn in as a firefighter. During the ceremony, Bruce occupied the front row.

Though he appears to be doing great at fatherhood, Bruce struggled because of his childhood and past relationship with his dad. The father of three was scared about being a chip off the old block, which influenced his determination to improve. In a refreshingly honest tone, he shared:

"There were a lot of mistakes I didn't want to make. I think the way you look at it is, like, I don't want my kids to have to dig themselves out of my hole. They're gonna have their own hole they got to dig themselves out of. So as a parent, you do your best to not lay too much of your own [expletives] on them."

Bruce became a granddad in July after his youngest child, Sam, welcomed a daughter with his lover. Scialfa shared the happy news via an Instagram post showing the new parents behind a baby stroller; she quipped:

"Walking the baby. Lily Harper Springsteen."

This is not the first time Sam would put smiles on his parents' faces. Before now, Bruce spoke glowingly about his son's achievement as a firefighter following the sworn-in ceremony in 2020. The proud dad maintained:

"It was a long road, he was very dedicated for quite a few years and we are just excited for him today."

Bruce Springsteen's Relationship with His Dad Was Redefined

In his 2016 publication "Born to Run," the singer explained that as a young man, his personality upset his father—Bruce did not inherit Douglas' rugged nature or face. Although his mother showed compassion, his father did not sympathize with who he was.

As the head of the family, Douglas often sat in the kitchen, drinking, and thinking. Most of the time, he was angry, which made it almost impossible for happiness to radiate in the home whenever he was around.

Bruce was deeply affected by his father's attitude, and it was only through music he found solace. Interestingly as he made music, he began to bask in what he rebelled against.

The younger singer would steal and wear his dad's clothes to pass on a rock and roll persona, and most of his songs were a product of his experiences with the Springsteen patriarch.

Thankfully, Bruce did not resent his dad, and even though he did not understand his pain then, he never held it against him. Thankfully, before Bruce became a father, Douglas tendered a heartfelt apology following a visit to his Los Angeles home.

According to the singer, this became "the greatest moment" of his life. He noted, "here in the last days before I was to become a father, my own father was visiting me."

A few years after the visit, the rock star realized that his dad had suffered a mental illness before his death. Douglas was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. While this made Bruce understand his childhood better, he was consumed with fear. In his words:

"I have come close enough to [mental illness] where I know I am not completely well myself. I've had to deal with a lot of it over the years…So we have to watch, in our family. I have to watch my kids, and I've been lucky there. It ran in my family going way before my dad."

Amid his fear of inheriting the mental illness, The Boss is actively trying to be a perfect dad to his kids, and so far, there have been no controversies regarding his family life. Simultaneously, he has successfully managed fame, and family life, without allowing either to suffer.