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Posted: 05/11/12 06:38 PM ET  |  Updated: 05/11/12 06:38 PM ET

Mother's Day 2012: Who Is Your Favorite Celebrity Single Mom?

With Mother's Day fast approaching, we wanted to take a moment to toast some of our favorite single celebrity moms. Hey, it can't be easy to push a stroller, manage sippy cups and keep the tantrums to a minimum when you've got paparazzi on your tail.

From the "Desperate Housewives" star who secured a photo op with Justin Bieber for her tween daughter, to the English mum who strives to raise "regular kids" in spite of her fame, click through slideshow to read their stories and to vote on your favorite celebrity single mom.

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  • Sandra Bullock

    Sandra Bullock and her ex-husband Jesse James had <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/28/sandra-bullock-adopts-bab_n_554785.html" target="_hplink">adopted a baby boy</a>, Louis Bardo Bullock, in January 2010, but kept the news a secret until after the Academy Awards. When her marriage famously unraveled following <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/04/jesse-james-on-sandra-bul_n_857828.html " target="_hplink">James' multiple infidelities</a>, Bullock decided to adopt Louis as a single mother and raise him on her own. "You wake up, you feed, you burp, you play, you do laundry," she told <em>People</em> magazine in April 2010. "I'm still in that stage where I'm just amazed with him and at life."

  • Madonna

    Twice-divorced Madonna has four children -- two biological and two she adopted. She had her first child, Lourdes, with fitness instructor Carlos Leon in 1996. Prior to marrying her second husband, (first was Sean Penn in 1985) Guy Ritchie, in December 2000, she and the British director had their first child together, Rocco. They decided to adopt a Malawian baby, David, six years later in October 2006. After divorcing Ritchie in December 2008, Madonna adopted another <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1194317/Hand-Mercy-Madonnas-new-daughter-reaches-mother-flight-Africa.html" target="_hplink">Malawian child</a> as a single mother in June 2009. "The best way to teach [my children] about sharing and giving is to do those things myself and set an example," Madonna told<em> <a href="http://www.parents.com/parenting/celebrity-parents/madonna-on-motherhood/?page=2" target="_hplink">Parenting</em> magazine</a>.

  • Liv Tyler

    Liv Tyler took a two-year break from show business after <a href="http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20198716,00.html" target="_hplink">her split</a> from British rocker Royston Langdon in May 2008. She admitted to having a "rough couple of years" following the birth of her son, Milo, and a heartbreaking divorce. She opened up to <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/24/liv-tyler-divorce_n_840212.html" target="_hplink"><em>Bust</em> magazine</a> in March 2011 about raising her then six-year-old son as a single mother. "Milo and I have been in such transition -- I've been rebuilding and trying to be patient. And I've just put all of my focus on that," she said. "Because I can't go to work and be happy unless he's happy and feels secure." Tyler also recently attended the Alexandra McQueen Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

  • Padma Lakshmi

    "Top Chef" host Padma Lakshmi <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/22/padma-lakshmi-has-baby-gi_n_471212.html" target="_hplink">gave birth</a> to her daughter, Krishna, in February 2010, but remained tight lipped on the identity of her baby's father. It was later revealed that venture capitalist <a href="http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20352588,00.html" target="_hplink">Adam Dell</a> fathered Krishna, though Lakshmi reportedly wanted <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/29/padma-lakshmi-wants-nothi_n_517347.html" target="_hplink">nothing to do with him</a>, preferring to raise her daughter on her own. In March 2012, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/16/padma-lakshmi-custody-battle_n_1354670.html" target="_hplink">Dell was granted expanded visitation rights</a> and legal recognition of his paternity of Krishna. Lakshmi opened up to <em><a href="http://www.celebritybabyscoop.com/2011/04/15/padma-lakshmi" target="_hplink">Celebrity Baby Scoop</a></em> about motherhood in April 2011, saying, "In small ways and big ways it changes every aspect of your life. Everything is better and more meaningful. Motherhood is a very humbling experience."

  • Michelle Williams

    Michelle Williams tragically became a single mother when her <a href=" http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20054428,00.html " target="_hplink">on-again, off-again</a> beau, Heath Ledger, passed away of an accidental drug overdose. The pair <a href="http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,1115599,00.html " target="_hplink">had a daughter</a>, Matilda, in October 2005. In her first interview since Ledger's <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/01/24/heath-ledger-found-dead_n_82721.html " target="_hplink">January 2008 death</a>, Williams told Nightline's Cynthia Mcfadden in December 2010 that she tries to provide a normal life for her child, out of the spotlight. "It is of more importance to me then anything else in my life and I would rearrange anything to make that possible,"<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/22/michelle-williams-opens-up-about-heath-ledgers-death_n_800411.html " target="_hplink"> she said</a>. "If something starts to encroach on that then it's going to be removed from the equation."

  • Tory Burch

    Fashion designer <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/28/socialite-divorces-high-s_n_815162.html#s231576&title=Tory_Burch" target="_hplink">Tory Burch</a> split from her second husband, venture capitalist Chris Burch, in 2006. She and Burch have three sons, whom she described as "the light of my life" to NBC in January 2010. Being a working mother is her "biggest challenge," she said, "But obviously being a mom comes first and everything else comes after that, and that really is what matters."

  • Teri Hatcher

    In March 2003, "Desperate Housewives" star Teri Hatcher <a href="http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,430002,00.html" target="_hplink">filed for divorce from Jon Tenney</a>, her husband of nearly nine years and the father of her daughter, Emerson Rose. In her 2006 book, "Burnt Toast: And Other Philosophies of Life," Hatcher included a <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2006-05-02-hatcher_x.htm" target="_hplink">dedication to Emerson</a>, who's now <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2133516/Teri-Hatcher-joined-glamorous-14-year-old-mini-Emerson-Desperate-Housewives-bash.html " target="_hplink">14 years old</a>. "To Emerson, whose birth was the sole source of my personal evolution over the last seven years. Thank you for giving my life meaning." When Emerson was 12, Hatcher solidified her status as a cool mom by introducing the tween to Justin Bieber. "I scored some big points with her," she <a href="http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20392903,00.html" target="_hplink">told <em>People</em> in June 2010</a>.

  • Heidi Klum

    Heidi Klum and Seal shocked fans in January 2012 when they <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/23/seal-heidi-klum-announce-_n_1222724.html" target="_hplink">announced their separation</a> after seven years of marriage. The couple have <a href="http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20585714,00.html" target="_hplink">four children together</a>: Leni, 7 Henry, 6, Johan, 5, and Lou, 2. The supermodel <a href="http://www.stylelist.com/2012/05/10/heidi-klum-hair_n_1504060.html" target="_hplink">recently told <em>Stylelist</em></a> about her low-key plans for her first Mother's Day as a single mom: "To just be with my kids. We go out a lot. We went to The Ivy just last week, and it's a lot with four kids. So sometimes it's nice to just be home and hang out by the pool."

  • Jennifer Lopez

    Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony announced their split in July 2011. The former couple are parents to four-year-old twins, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/21/jennifer-lopez-twins-birthday_n_1292023.html" target="_hplink">Max and Emme,</a> who <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/21/jennifer-lopez-twins-birthday_n_1292023.html" target="_hplink">famously joined</a> J.Lo in a <a href="http://www.gucci.com/us/worldofgucci/articles/children-collection" target="_hplink"> Gucci fashion campaign</a> when they were two and a half years old. Lopez, who moved on with backup dancer <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/16/jennifer-lopez-casper-smart-photo_n_1282111.html" target="_hplink">Casper Smart after the split</a>, recently opened up about the possibility of having more children, <a href="http://www.eonline.com/news/the_awful_truth/jennifer_lopez_talks_adoption_life/314714#ixzz1ubChAgfB" target="_hplink">E! Online reported</a>. "It would be a blessing for me," Lopez said. "But right now I'm focused on doing it right with [Max and Emme]."

  • Sofia Vergara

    On ABC's "Modern Family", Sophia Vergara plays a feisty Colombian woman raising her son in a blended family. Her real life isn't so different -- she had a son, Manolo, when she was 19 years old with her childhood sweetheart, whom she subsequently divorced. "I always tried to do the best for my kid," Vergara <a href="http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20317432,00.html" target="_hplink">told People magazine</a> in November 2009. <a href="http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/sofia-vergara-confirms-engagement-wouldnt-mind-getting-pregnant-2012308" target="_hplink">She is engaged</a> to Onion Crunch owner <a href="http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/what_sofia_vergara_doing_with_this_bxQ1sodeCc6ZRonWu2TKYI" target="_hplink">Nick Loeb</a>.


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With Mother's Day fast approaching, we wanted to take a moment to toast some of our favorite single celebrity moms. Hey, it can't be easy to push a stroller, manage sippy cups and keep the tantrums to...
With Mother's Day fast approaching, we wanted to take a moment to toast some of our favorite single celebrity moms. Hey, it can't be easy to push a stroller, manage sippy cups and keep the tantrums to...
Filed by Brittany Wong  | 
 
 
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10:31 AM on 07/07/2012
Sandra bullock made right desicion to adopt.to easy her pain being alone She will be best mom yildiz
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maliksmama
You know what dog food tastes like? Do you? It tas
11:22 PM on 05/14/2012
Weird seeing single white mothers of black kids, but not single black mothers of black kids. Have they all be adopted by white women?
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Jean Anne
You always have options.
12:50 PM on 05/17/2012
This comment is so dumb that I can't really say what I want to without getting the boot!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Havana Thinks
Live and Let Live!
03:59 PM on 05/14/2012
Angelina Jolie is #1 but not on the list?
02:55 PM on 05/14/2012
I don't like the word "single Mom," unless the person is actually single and not receiving any support from the husband. Are you telling me Seal, Marc Anthony, and Sam Mendes justed walked about and are not involved in co-parenting. If you are a single parent, you are doing it all by yourself.
02:40 PM on 05/14/2012
Great job having no African American moms HP. We all know the are NO celebrity moms that are black right???
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Havana Thinks
Live and Let Live!
04:03 PM on 05/14/2012
Thought they'd win you over with Padhma Laksmi----LOL...By the time you get to her through the slides, you have exhausted your #5 list!
Angelina was not even listed----very ignorant selection, imho
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Mary Mclocke
Let there be peace on earth, let it begin with me
03:45 PM on 05/19/2012
Halle Berry is a single mom but not listed here.
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02:20 PM on 05/13/2012
How thin is a thin line between this and.. "Who Is Your Favorite Celebrity Single B***h"
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
annasophie1228
how you like them apples?
09:27 AM on 05/13/2012
my favorite single mom is MY mother.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Carla van der Meer
in scientia opportunatis
03:07 AM on 05/13/2012
Sorry, but celeb single moms are not worthy of that respect. I have the utmost respect for regular single moms and dads, who do their best everyday, without all that money and help. And they certainly don't get magazine covers to help keep the gas on and food in the fridge. Enough with the cult of celebrity babies. seeing a column about which 3 year old wore the $4000. sweater better is just nauseating.
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HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
usamade
10:36 AM on 05/12/2012
Madonna? Are you kidding me? The woman asked a crowd if they liked ecstasy? What a roll model.
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Ninja Spaniel
Renewable energy is homeland security.
10:30 AM on 05/12/2012
I feel a little better about being a single mom now after looking at that great group of women.
Except for Madonna. :-)
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
season555
Allaah knows best
10:15 AM on 05/12/2012
How is Heidi and Jennifer L single mothers? Their exs are still in the picture and paying child support.

Single mums are women who do everything ALONE, like my widowed mother or Sandra B who adopted a child by herself.

Sometime it seems calling oneself " single" mother is a fashion statement in Hollywood. Like once I read Nichole Kidman call herself a SM, even though as far as I know the kids live with Tom C
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10:08 AM on 05/12/2012
I vote for Bullock. She kicked that butthead Jesse James out, not to mention she is a great actress and beautiful from head to toe.
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02:27 PM on 05/13/2012
Why it has to be: "She kicked that.....out"? Can you understand that he's not a fixture. And how you'd call her for marrying a "butthead"?
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darkinhereo
We're Going The Wrong Way !
10:05 AM on 05/12/2012
I have to hand it to Sandra Bullock. This woman is so graceful and full of charm. I read an article about her once in which she said that as a young girl, she thought that she was homely. That humility said so much about her as a person. And Sandra...you may be lots of things, but 'homely' is definitely not one of them. Your charm alone makes you a "10" in my book.
09:29 AM on 05/12/2012
I don't know her. I might not even like her if I did. But I vote for Bullock.
08:31 AM on 05/12/2012
Good lord, how much more work can Terri Hatcher's face take? It's like the bottom of a Tupperware bowl.