Donnie Wahlberg's 2 Children: Meet Xavier and Elijah
- Celebrity
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- UPDATED JUNE 25, 2024
by Tasha Mayberry
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Donnie Wahlberg’s sons, Xavier and Elijah, are carving out their own niches in the music industry. As Donnie transitioned from his fame with New Kids on the Block to becoming a staple on the CBS drama Blue Bloods, he has always kept his family as a central focus in his life. During his ascent to stardom, Donnie and his ex-wife, Kimberly Fey, welcomed Xavier in 1993 and Elijah in 2001. While Donnie often praises his sons publicly, he remains mindful of their privacy in interviews and on social media, sharing only a few heartfelt anecdotes about his sons over the years. After marrying Jenny McCarthy, Donnie has successfully blended their families, with Jenny embracing her role as stepmother to Xavier and Elijah, alongside her own son, Evan. Jenny often praises Donnie’s fathering skills, notably in a touching Father’s Day post on Instagram, where she expressed her admiration and gratitude, saying, “You give our children someone to admire, respect, and inspire to be like. You are such an amazing father, on top of everything else! I’m so grateful to be sharing my life, our love, & parenthood with the most amazing man I’ve ever known.”
Background and Family Dynamics
Donnie and Kimberly began their relationship in the early ’90s, soon after she worked on a New Kids on the Block album. They married in 1999 after welcoming their first son, Xavier, in 1993 and their second son, Elijah, in 2001. Reflecting on fatherhood, Donnie has said, “It sounds cliche, but I stopped living for me and started living for him…I was 23. I was terrified.” The couple divorced in 2008 but have maintained a friendly relationship.
Career Paths Like Their Dad
Music truly runs in the family. Xavier and Elijah have both pursued careers in music, following in their father’s footsteps. Xavier is involved with a metal band called Upon Stone, serving as the vocalist and bassist, based in Los Angeles. Elijah has formed his own band, Pink Laces, and actively shares their progress and snippets of their music on social media. His commitment to his music led to coverage in the Japanese magazine Jado, where he discussed his artistic endeavors.
Respecting Their Privacy
Donnie is respectful of his sons’ wishes for privacy. He once explained on Rachael Ray’s talk show that he avoids mentioning his elder son, Xavier, by name because he prefers to stay out of the public eye. Donnie respects this by keeping mentions minimal and focusing on their shared love for music privately. He also recounted how Elijah enjoyed performing on stage with New Kids on the Block during his younger years, in contrast to Xavier’s preference for his own musical pursuits.
Social Media Tributes
Despite their preference for privacy, Donnie occasionally posts tributes to his sons on social media. On Father’s Day 2019, he shared a rare photo of himself with Xavier and Elijah from their childhood, alongside a message that celebrated fatherhood and encouraged other dads to embrace their role wholeheartedly.Donnie Wahlberg’s relationship with his sons, Xavier and Elijah, showcases a balance of public respect for their privacy with a private celebration of their ongoing journeys in music and life.
