Discovering the Lives of Brooke Shields’ Daughters: Meet Rowan and Grier

Brooke Shields and Chris Henchy are proud parents of two daughters.

After tying the knot on April 4, 2001, Shields and Henchy welcomed their first daughter, Rowan Francis Henchy, in 2003. Three years later, they celebrated the birth of their second daughter, Grier Hammond Henchy.

Having spent her teenage years in the spotlight, starring in films such as Pretty Baby and The Blue Lagoon as well as modeling for renowned brands, Shields has expressed concerns about her daughters growing up in an age dominated by social media.

She once shared, “What I really reiterate over and over again is that what you see may not be the reality. You can’t just accept it because the spotlight’s on it and it’s on Instagram. It’s important to understand that it’s a world of illusion, and you really want to live behind the curtain.”

During a discussion in March 2023, Shields revealed that her daughters have no qualms about offering her fashion advice.

“They aren’t fans of my Upper East Side lady clothes. They prefer me to be much edgier,” she recalled, specifically mentioning an Off-White outfit that received their approval. “My younger daughter was truly impressed. I think that’s the first time she’s ever been proud of me.”

At the New York City premiere of her Hulu documentary, Pretty Baby, Shields expressed her admiration for her daughters, describing them as “confident and free.”

“I’m proud of them for speaking their minds,” she said. “They are young women who are already beginning to find their own paths.”

With both of Shields’ daughters currently attending Wake Forest University, she admitted, “I’m terrified to be an empty nester.”

“All of a sudden, they’re not yours anymore,” she reflected in August 2024. “When you realize they are their own individuals, it allows you to meet them again. Witnessing them reveal themselves to you creates a new kind of relationship. I didn’t shape them, but I protected them enough so they could become who they are, and then I stepped aside.”

Continue reading to learn more about Brooke Shields and Chris Henchy’s daughters, Rowan and Grier.

Rowan Francis Henchy, 21

Rowan Francis was born on May 15, 2003, after seven rounds of fertility treatments, and she grew up in New York City, forming a strong bond with her famous mother. She graduated from high school in June 2021, even performing a song at her ceremony.

For her senior prom, Rowan donned the red strapless gown that her mother wore to the 1998 Golden Globe Awards. Shields captured the meaningful moment on Instagram, saying, “I thought it was special when I wore this dress in 1998 for my Golden Globe nomination, but nothing could compare to seeing my daughter wear it to her prom. Proud mama!”

Rowan began college at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in August 2021. Shields shared her feelings about this milestone, saying, “It was the worst thing I’ve ever experienced. I’m not going to get used to her being away. She could end up married with her own kids, and I still won’t get used to it.”

Shields continued, “She’s really embracing her college experience and blossoming into her own person. Listening to my daughters converse with each other and their friends makes me realize, ‘Wow, she’s truly her own individual. I’ve done my best as a parent, and now I’m stepping back to let her grow.'”

Before Rowan left for North Carolina, the mother-daughter pair made cherished memories, including getting matching ladybug tattoos to commemorate her graduation and to honor Rowan’s childhood nickname, “little bug.” Although Shields had initially hoped Rowan would wait until her 30s to get a tattoo, she found herself persuaded when Rowan suggested they get matching ones.

“Whenever I can spend time with them, I jump at the chance,” she mentioned.

Rowan has been spotted with her family at numerous Hollywood events since childhood, often accompanying her mother at red carpets as a young adult. Notably, in April 2022, they attended the White House Correspondents’ Dinner together in Washington D.C. The following month, they were seen side by side in coordinated outfits at a prominent media event.

Shields has even made appearances in some of Rowan’s social media videos. In one clip, they both wore matching robes and hair wraps as they lip-synced to ABBA’s “Angel Eyes” from Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. In another video, Rowan participated in a TikTok challenge, which humorously involved her “accidentally” hitting her mother with a purse while placing it in the car. Although Shields appeared surprised at the moment, she laughed it off in her post, writing, “So apparently this was for a TikTok… 😂 utter disbelief!!”

In August 2024, Grier described Rowan as “very spontaneous,” sharing, “She knows how to avoid stressing over what others think, which is something I need to learn. And if I need her support, I know she’ll have my back.”

Grier Hammond Henchy, 19

Grier Hammond Henchy was welcomed into the world on April 18, 2006, in Los Angeles. Shields reflected on Grier’s birth during a talk show appearance, sharing a remarkable coincidence. On the same day Grier was born, Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise welcomed their child in the same hospital.

As she elaborated to McCarthy, Shields utilized an alias at the hospital to maintain her privacy. However, spotting helicopters and news cameras outside led her to suspect that someone at the hospital had notified the press. Eventually, a nurse reassured her, saying, “Honey, it’s not for you… It’s Katie and Tom.”

Like her older sister, Grier has accompanied her parents to red carpet events and Hollywood functions since childhood. In September 2021, Grier and her mother made an appearance at Milan Fashion Week, dressed in leather outfits for the Salvatore Ferragamo spring/summer 2022 show.

Shields’ younger daughter has inherited her mother’s passion for fashion, often borrowing designer items from her closet. In a November 2021 interview, Shields shared, “If I want to know where anything good that I have is, and I can’t find it in my closet, I know exactly where to find it. It’s her!” She also noted that Grier has developed a knack for labels, contrasting this with her older daughter’s disinterest.

Grier has started to follow her mother’s footsteps in modeling. In May 2022, she participated in a Mother’s Day campaign for Victoria’s Secret alongside Shields.

During an episode of a popular podcast, Shields spoke about the experience and her daughter’s burgeoning interest in modeling, stating, “I asked her, and it was such an emotionally beautiful period.” She expressed that the opportunity offered her new insights about Grier. “You know, I have resisted this. But watching her handle herself in a way makes me realize, okay, she’s a pretty strong character.”

“I don’t feel like this business will eat her up,” Shields continued. “It was really fun to be in front of the camera with her.”

In March 2023, Grier attended the New York City premiere of Shields’ Hulu documentary, Pretty Baby. She honored her mother on the red carpet by sporting a vintage Dolce & Gabbana suit that Shields had worn on the ’90s sitcom Suddenly Susan.

Since her photoshoot for Victoria’s Secret, Grier has received support from her mother to pursue a modeling career, albeit with some conditions.

Shields explained in an interview, “I finally had to give in and say, ‘If you’re gonna do this, I’m not gonna be your manager. You’re going to be with an agency. You’re going to have a great work ethic. It’s not going to be comfortable. You’re going to listen to me. And you’re going to college.'”

In July 2023, Shields celebrated a significant milestone in Grier’s life, sharing an Instagram post with a photo of her daughter driving a car, captioned: “Got driven by my kid!!!! Got her license!!”

That same year, both Shields and Grier attended the CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute in New York City. Grier once again wore a vintage piece from her mother’s collection — a strapless black column dress by Richard Tyler that Shields donned just six months after giving birth to Grier.

In August 2024, a family member remarked that Grier is “extremely loyal and strong in her opinions.”

“She has a good judgment of other people’s character. She’s very funny when she lets her guard down a little. It’s often up, but that’s okay,” they added.

Now that Grier is attending college, her parents have transitioned into the role of empty nesters — a change that Shields discussed with surprising emotions during a January 2025 appearance on a late-night talk show.

“I’m an empty nester. Then, they came home for Christmas,” she shared. “It was great, and then, I couldn’t wait for them to leave. I was so sad when they left the first time. Then, at the end of Christmas, I’m like, ‘Don’t you have to get back to school?'”