The actress | Source: Getty Images
Once dependent on welfare and burdened by the shame of her difficult upbringing, this former child star defied the odds. Rising above a childhood marked by poverty, she transformed her struggles into strength, ultimately becoming one of Hollywood’s most celebrated and influential icons.
Born into a family of eight, she experienced firsthand the hardships of poverty—enduring days without electricity and depending on free lunch tickets to get by. But everything changed when she found fame as an actress, propelling her from struggle to stardom.
The star’s unwavering work ethic was forged in her humble beginnings in the coal-mining town of Nelsonville, Ohio. Raised by Stephen, an aspiring writer, and Barbara, a devoted nursery school teacher, she grew up immersed in the resilience and determination of working-class life.
After her parents’ divorce when she was just a toddler, her mother later remarried Paul, a hardworking truck driver. Their blended family expanded to eight children, where resourcefulness and frugality became a way of life as they tackled the daily challenges of providing for a large household.
Raised in a household where every dollar mattered, the future star became deeply aware of her family’s financial struggles from an early age. “We were on welfare,” she once revealed in an interview, recalling a childhood moment that left a lasting impression on her.
In third grade at the Clifton School in Cincinnati, she faced a daily reminder of her family’s struggles. Each day, her teacher would call her name, prompting her to walk to the front of the line to receive a state-issued free lunch ticket—a moment that left a lasting impact on her.
“I knew I was different from the kids who paid for lunch or brought theirs from home,” the celebrity reflected. “It was a stigma thing. I wasn’t the only one receiving a free lunch, but you’re aware.” That awareness stayed with her, casting a shadow over her early years and leaving a lasting imprint long after those school lunches were just a memory.
Reflecting on her past, she described her childhood as “Dickensian,” a word synonymous with hardship and scarcity. “I remember being poor. There was no great way to hide it,” she admitted. In another interview, she recalled their home—without a TV, often cluttered, and far from picturesque—a stark reminder of the struggles her family endured.
The family frequently went without basic necessities, enduring stretches without electricity, missed Christmases and birthdays, and constant calls from bill collectors. At times, the phone company would even call with a final warning before disconnecting their service due to unpaid bills—a harsh reality that shaped her early years.
These moments of financial hardship were impossible to ignore, especially for the children, who were keenly aware of their parents’ struggles. “We were all old enough to either answer the calls, see my mother’s reaction, or watch my parents desperately shuffle money around,” the star recalled, highlighting the emotional weight of their circumstances.
While some accounts suggest their electricity was often shut off, the actress clarified, “That’s definitely exaggerated. But there were Christmases when we went without presents. Still, my parents gave us so much love,” emphasizing that, despite financial struggles, their home was never lacking in warmth and care.
The family’s financial struggles extended to their clothing, with their mother carefully budgeting for two pairs of shoes per daughter each year and dressing them in 99-cent dresses from a corporate outlet. “It wasn’t unusual to get them there or at rummage sales,” her mother admitted in a joint interview.
Though they “didn’t have everything” they wanted, the star fondly recalled, “we had everything we needed.” Her mother, often described as a “master juggler,” balanced the immense demands of raising eight children while managing work and household responsibilities with remarkable resilience.
“If you ask her, she’ll say she was a wreck. There was plenty of screaming in the house, but I think it was necessary just to be heard. There were eight children!” the movie star explained. Growing up in such a lively, often chaotic environment, she developed a quiet yet commanding presence, capable of conveying her thoughts with just a whisper.
When asked if she ever envisioned the life she now leads, the actress confessed, “No, I would never have imagined this life. From a young age, I dreamed of becoming an actor, and that was probably the extent of my dreams.”
The actress and Brooke Shields pictured on January 1, 1970, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Observing her parents’ quiet determination to make ends meet profoundly impacted her, instilling the drive and motivation that would later propel her toward success. Their resilience served as a powerful example, fueling her ambitions and inspiring her to strive for a brighter future.
Acting quickly became her outlet, and Sarah Jessica Parker began performing professionally at just eight years old, joining several family members who shared her passion for the craft. Her brothers, Pippin Parker, a writer, and Timothy Britten Parker, an actor, also pursued careers in the industry, creating a supportive and artistic family environment that fueled their collective dreams.
Sarah Jessica Parker and Bob Hope photographed on January 1, 1979 | Source: Getty Images
Her big break arrived in 1979 when, at just 14 years old, she was cast as the lead in the Broadway production of “Annie.” “It was a welcome escape from the chaos of home,” she recalled. “It provided a structured environment that felt nice and disciplined. Plus, they paid me, and I didn’t have any money.” This opportunity not only marked a turning point in her career but also offered her a sense of stability and purpose.
Sarah Jessica Parker on the set of the Broadway musical, “Annie,” 1979 | Source: Getty Images
Experiencing financial hardships early in life ignited her determination to succeed. “I wanted to be a professional, not just for personal satisfaction, which wasn’t my main priority. I wanted to be free from the worry of money,” Sarah explained in another interview, highlighting her desire for financial security as a significant motivator in her career.
After landing the Broadway role, her family packed up and moved to New York City, fueled by her father’s business ambitions and the hope that one of the children might achieve success in show business.
Despite her burgeoning career, she often felt like an outsider at school. She and her best friend frequently spent weekends alone, seldom receiving party invitations. “It was hard to integrate,” the veteran star confessed, reflecting on the challenges of balancing her new life in the spotlight with the typical experiences of adolescence.
The isolation she faced during her school years didn’t deter her; instead, it fueled her determination to succeed. Sarah Jessica Parker eventually rose to prominence as one of Hollywood’s A-list stars, gaining fame as Carrie Bradshaw in “Sex and the City,” where she earned multiple Golden Globe and Emmy Awards. Her success extended into film and theater, solidifying her reputation as a respected actress and producer.
In May 1997, she married fellow actor Matthew Broderick, who hails from a family of three siblings. Now celebrating 27 years of marriage, the couple shares three children: their son James and twin daughters, Tabitha and Marion Broderick.
While her professional life thrived, family remained at the forefront of her priorities. In a 2010 interview, Sarah Jessica Parker shared her journey to expand their family after welcoming their son, revealing that she had “tried and tried and tried and tried and tried to get pregnant, but it just was not to be, the conventional way.”
As a mother of three, she expressed her profound love for motherhood, stating, “I would give birth as often as I could if I could. I cherished all the milestones, both the good and the bad,” highlighting her deep appreciation for the joys and challenges of parenting.
Sarah Jessica Parker pictured with Marion and Tabitha Broderick on May 20, 2015, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Having grown up in a large family and with her husband being one of three siblings, Sarah Jessica Parker understood the value of sibling relationships. With her mother already a grandmother to ten, she hoped to give her son the joy of growing up with siblings.
However, her motivation ran deeper than just her son’s childhood happiness; as older parents, she wanted to ensure he wouldn’t have to bear the burden of caring for them alone later in life. “I didn’t want him to have to shoulder the burden of us—later in life—by himself,” she shared. After considering both adoption and surrogacy, they ultimately found success with surrogacy, which brought their twin daughters into the world.
Matthew Broderick, Sarah Jessica Parker and James Broderick at the New York Premiere of “And Just Like That…” 2021 | Source: Getty Images
Despite her fame and success, Sarah Jessica Parker has consistently maintained a grounded perspective, prioritizing a sense of normalcy in her family life. She once humbly described herself as simply a working actor, wife, and mom, emphasizing her commitment to balancing her professional achievements with her roles as a devoted family member.
In a 2010 interview, the star highlighted her family’s hands-on approach to everyday tasks, sharing that they painted their patio furniture by hand and prepared their children’s meals at home. High chairs were assembled independently, groceries were bought personally, and they handled their laundry without any outside help, reflecting their commitment to a more personal and engaged family life.
(L-R) Matthew Broderick, Sarah Jessica Parker, Tabitha, James, and Marion Broderick pose at the opening night of the new musical “Some Like It Hot!” on December 11, 2022, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Family has always been a cornerstone of Sarah Jessica Parker’s life, a value that was profoundly tested in September 2022 when her stepfather, Paul, passed away. His death came just one day after the actress had to miss the New York City Ballet’s annual fall fashion gala due to a family emergency.
Paul, who married Parker’s mother, Barbara, in 1969, died at the age of 76 after an “unexpected and rapid illness,” as stated by the family. In his final moments, he was “surrounded by the love and gratitude of his adored wife, Barbara, of 54 years, and his children, including Sarah Jessica Parker,” highlighting the close-knit family bond that defined their lives.
Paul Forste, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Barbra Forste attend the after party for The Culture Project’s “Betrayed” on opening night on February 6, 2008, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Sarah Jessica Parker’s journey from a modest upbringing to Hollywood success embodies her core values of family, hard work, and humility. Despite her fame and fortune, she remains deeply grounded, cherishing the simple, meaningful moments that have always shaped her life.