Rod Stewart walked out of his daughter’s life after her birth when he was 18, and his choice to give her up led to some unintended consequences.
Rod Stewart is a legendary music star, but before he found fame and fortune, he had a child at 18, whom he gave up for adoption; her name is Sarah Streeter.
Evelyn and Gerald Thurbon adopted Sarah, and she spent her early years on a farm in Sussex. In an interview with the Daily Mail, she described her childhood as secure and fun, free from the knowledge of her adoption.
Sir Rod Stewart on June 15, 2016 in Ascot, England | Source: Getty Images
FINDING HIS CHILD AND LEAVING AGAIN
Life continued that way, with Stewart becoming successful and his child living her life away from him. Things changed when Sarah turned 18 and was informed that her dad was the world-famous Rod Stewart.
After this, the two connected, but it didn’t last long because there was much friction between them. As they just couldn't get along, the "Knighted" singer disappeared from her life yet again for over two decades.
HIS LIFE BEFORE FAME
Before becoming a world-famous musician, Stewart had a series of odd jobs, including working as a gravedigger. He was also a part of numerous bands before becoming a solo artist.
The singer is a proud dad to eight children: Sarah, Kimberly, Sean, Ruby, Renee, Liam, Alastair, and Aiden. His first child, Sarah, was born from his relationship to ex Susannah Boffey in 1963. Soon after putting their daughter up for adoption, they also ended their relationship.
HIS PAST RELATIONSHIPS
In 1979, Stewart married Alana. Together they share daughter Kimberly and son Sean. In 1984, their marriage ended in divorce.
The "Reason to Believe" singer then went on to father a daughter named Ruby with Kelly Emberg in 1987. By 1990, he married Rachel Hunter. They welcomed daughter Renee in 1992 and son Liam in 1994.
HIS YOUNGEST CHILDREN
Although Stewart's divorce with Hunter only got finalized in 2006, he was dating model Penny Lancaster before that. They welcomed their son Alastair in 2005 and got married in 2007. By 2011, they welcomed his youngest son Aiden.
Admittedly, the musician said he regretted not spending more time with his older children when they were younger. He was on tour a lot, so he didn't see them grow up.
SARAH'S TROUBLES
While being estranged for years, Stewart's eldest became addicted to drugs and alcohol. While she managed to sober up, things got worse after Evelyn, her adoptive mother, died in 2007.
The singer’s daughter turned to crack cocaine and didn't sober up until her husband, Chris Streeter, threatened to leave her. In her last addiction bout, Sarah reunited with Rod, who didn’t judge her and supported her until she got better.
RECONNECTING WITH STEWART
Sarah shared they'd developed a mutual affection for each other, and Stewart, on his part, said while they were still working on their relationship, she calls him “dad,” and he calls her “daughter.”
In a 2010 interview with Joy Behar, the award-winning singer said he had no choice about the adoption as he was broke at the time and had no means to support himself, his then-girlfriend, Susannah Buffey, and a young baby.
HIS DECISION BOTHERED HIM
The decision plagued the father-of-eight for years, and after he reconnected with Sarah, he felt getting involved in her life might offend her adoptive parents, so he backed off. He saw his chance to make amends after they passed and stepped up to his role.
Even though she doesn't ask, the singer sends his 56-year-old daughter money and remains a vital part of her life. In 2018, she gushed over how they get to spend time together on simple occasions like grabbing dinner with her dad and husband.
Stewart is on good terms with all of his exes, once being photographed with all of them to celebrate his daughter Kimberly's birthday. With more time on his hands, he can also spend a lot more time with his children, something that he is glad to be doing.
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