Molly Ringwald's 3 Children: Meet Mathilda, Adele, and Roman
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- UPDATED OCTOBER 29, 2024
by Tasha Mayberry
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Molly Ringwald’s Three Children with Panio Gianopoulos: Meet Mathilda, Adele, and Roman
Life truly does imitate art. Molly Ringwald, iconic for her roles in beloved teen comedies, is now the proud mother of three young adults. The Sixteen Candles star and her husband, Panio Gianopoulos, are parents to Mathilda, 20, and twins Adele and Roman, 15. Transitioning from one child to three was initially “a bit more challenging,” especially as Ringwald welcomed her twins at age 41. But with her husband’s support and “careful planning,” she found ways to balance motherhood and career. “It really helps to have a very supportive partner and a lot of flexibility,” she told PEOPLE in 2010. Now, with her children growing up, Ringwald continues to support their individuality, sharing, “One of the hardest things parents have to accept is that they have to let their children express themselves, to love them and allow them to be different.” Here’s everything to know about her three kids.
Mathilda Ereni Gianopoulos, 21
Mathilda, Ringwald and Gianopoulos’ firstborn, arrived on October 22, 2003. Mathilda’s conception story was memorable for Ringwald, who shares in her book Getting the Pretty Back that she was conceived in a “dressing room at Studio 54.” Naming her was an adventure: in Greek tradition, the firstborn is often named after the father’s parents. When Ringwald discovered they were having a girl, she initially balked at naming her daughter Ereni after her mother-in-law. Eventually, they compromised, making Ereni her middle name. Even as a child, Mathilda had a strong-willed personality. “My daughter is very headstrong,” Ringwald noted in 2010, adding that she especially had opinions on her style.
Adele Georgiana Gianopoulos, 15
In January 2009, Ringwald announced her pregnancy with fraternal twins at age 40. Despite recommendations for a cesarean section due to the twin pregnancy, Ringwald was determined to give birth naturally and agreed to be induced a month early. On July 10, 2009, twins Adele Georgiana and Roman Stylianos were born. Having undergone surgery to remove fibroids after Mathilda’s birth, Ringwald felt lucky to conceive again and cherished the chance to have another daughter. Naming Adele after her own mother, Ringwald has shared some ’80s classics, like The Breakfast Club, with Mathilda, but Adele has yet to see them. In a 2021 interview, Ringwald expressed uncertainty about introducing Adele, her “most woke” child, to some of her ‘80s movies, as their themes might clash with today’s values. The mother-daughter duo famously wore matching pink outfits inspired by Pretty in Pink to the American Ballet Theatre’s Fall Gala in New York City.
Roman Stylianos Gianopoulos, 15
Roman, born three minutes after Adele on July 10, 2009, had a memorable entrance. After a breech position and a challenging labor, Ringwald’s doctor delivered him by pulling him out by the foot. With Adele taking in more oxygen, Roman needed extra attention at birth. Yet, Ringwald described her pregnancy at age 41 as “extraordinary,” feeling incredibly lucky to stay healthy. To her, Roman and Adele were her miracles. “Having a son as well as another daughter, it was just a really grand surprise,” she shared with PEOPLE. Like his sister and mother, Roman also has a fondness for the color pink. In July 2020, Ringwald shared a playful Instagram photo of him wearing a pink T-shirt, captioning, “Of course my son’s favorite color is pink!” In December 2022, Roman appeared with his family at the Spirited premiere, sporting a casual look with a red Levi’s hoodie and glasses.
Ringwald and Gianopoulos Married in 2007
Molly Ringwald and Panio Gianopoulos exchanged vows on July 6, 2007, in an intimate ceremony. Reflecting on their relationship, Gianopoulos shared a nostalgic wedding photo on Instagram in 2019, marking their 12th anniversary with the heartfelt caption, “12 years married today, still making each other smile ❤️.”
