The Sad Truth About Mark Wahlberg's Relationship With His Daughter, Ella Rae
Mark Wahlberg is one of the hottest stars in Hollywood. With a bad-boy past, he was able to turn his life around, make his apologies, and become a better man for his family. This is largely in part thanks to his wife Rhea Durham. While his married life keeps going strong, then what about his relationship with his daughter, Ella Rae?
The actor considers September 2 to be “bittersweet.” Although he wishes rumors about him in the past to be completely gone, this particular devastating day of his life seems unavoidable at all – considering that it is connected to a sad truth about his relationship with his daughter.
What Happened To Mark And His Daughter Ella?
In interviews and on social media, the actor and former underwear model is constantly gushing about his children. He has been a protective dad and even accompanied his daughter Ella Rae on a date. Regardless of how uncool it is that her father is publicly sharing details about her dating life, Ella Rae still seems to be quite the daddy’s girl.
However, the father-and-daughter relationship is not always rainbows and butterflies. A “bittersweet” memory lingers in the family, especially to Mark and Ella Rae. The actor, who landed a role in the Transformers universe, uploaded a photo of himself with his daughter on her 18th birthday on Instagram.
The photo of the two followed by a picture of him and his late sister, Debbie. Ella Rae Wahlberg, Mark’s first child, was born on September 2, 2003, the same day that his sister Debbie Wahlberg died. On the caption, he wrote, “Happy B day my Ella 18 years old.”
Along with a red heart, gift, and bow emojis, he continued writing, “Wow how time flies. So proud of you !!” In the other photo, Mark could be seen wrapping his arms around his late sister, which appears to be taken in the late 80s or early 90s. He added, along with prayer and red hear emojis, “Always A bitter Sweet day. Missing my big sister Debbie. Ella’s Guardian angel.”
So much for the celebration of his daughter’s birthday, Mark couldn’t avoid the sad truth that it was also the day his beloved sister died. After honoring his sister’s life and his daughter’s day, his post garnered comments from some celebrities, including Jeremy Renner, Mariano Rivera, and Mario Lopez, wishing Ella Rae a happy birthday.
His wife, Rhea Durham, also replied, using the crying emoji and the Latin cross emoji to memorialize Debbie 18 years after her death. She also used a heart emoji to express her love for her and Mark's daughter.
What Happened To Mark’s Sister Debbie?
Debbie died of a heart attack on September 2, at the young age of 43. She was said to have a kidney stone that she was about to have surgically removed. However, difficulties arose as a result of an infection. She died after suffering a heart attack.
Mark Wahlberg, the youngest of nine siblings, including Donnie and Robert Wahlberg, has previously spoken up about Debbie's death and the impact it had on their family. The actor said in a 2019 interview with ET Canada that her death was "devastating" for Wahlberg's family.
He said, "My mom really went into a big, deep depression after my sister passed away...it was a real jolt to her. It was completely devastating. She lost her first-born daughter and was so crushed, so that set her back more. She became more lost."
The actor continued saying, “It was the same day as the birth of my daughter. It was a long time ago, but no parent should have to lose a child.” His mother Alma grieved after the death of Debbie, but Mark claims that filming their famous reality show, Wahlburgers, based on the family's gourmet burger shop, helped her heal.
He revealed, "Once my sister departed, it was incredibly difficult for her. The restaurant has given her a new beginning and a new lease on life, and that has made her happy.” He further added, “She's (his mother Alma) a real people person and retreated [from working in their family restaurant] a little after my sister passed away, but being at the restaurants — shaking hands, connecting with people — and then being on the show, she found her voice again.”
Meanwhile, Mark's elder brother Paul said, “The show's been really good for her (Alma)...She fell in love with all the people who worked on it — she would have them over for dinner and she still keeps in touch with them.”
In April 2021, Mark Wahlberg’s mother Alma also passed away. He and his brother Donnie did not reveal the cause of her death in their public post to announce the devastating news, but in previous interviews, Donnie has opened up about his mom’s battle with dementia.
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