Figure skating legend and Olympic silver medalist Michelle Kwan has given birth to a second daughter after once again keeping her pregnancy a secret from the public.
‘Christmas came early [heart emoji],’ the 45-year-old Californian wrote on Instagram. ‘My heart doubled in an instant the moment I held her in my arms, and watching my daughter walk into the hospital to meet her baby sister brought tears to my eyes.’
That Christmas gift, named Della Rose Kwan, is pictured in a number of slides on her mother’s Instagram page, several of which include images of soon-to-be 4-year-old daughter Kalista Belle Kwan.
The father of Kwan’s daughters has never been revealed, publicly. She was previously married to Clay Pell, an attorney who worked in the Obama White House before a failed run for governor in Rhode Island. They divorced in 2017.
Kwan has become increasingly politically active in the ensuing years and recently served as President Joe Biden‘s Ambassador to Belize prior to Donald Trump‘s return to the White House.
The ensuing year was challenging for Kwan, who referred to her own battles with fertility issues leading up to her surprise birth announcement this week.
Della Rose Kwan is pictured with her mother Michelle, an Olympian and former diplomat
Figure skating legend and Olympic silver medalist Michelle Kwan has given birth to a second daughter after once again keeping her pregnancy a secret from the public
‘I’ve always dreamt of having children, and when Kalista came into the world, I was already beyond grateful for a miracle that once felt impossible after years of trying,’ she wrote online.
‘Getting here again has been its own rollercoaster, and I’m endlessly thankful for my love, who I’m so lucky to share my life with, my family, who I would not be here without, and the incredible doctors and support team who helped make this miracle happen. After more than a decade of hoping, I still can’t quite believe this moment is real.
‘As an Olympian, I’ve pushed my body to its limits and been amazed by its strength—but carrying another life has left me in even greater awe,’ she continued. ‘There were moments of frustration over how little I could control—a humbling reminder that fertility is something none of us can fully predict.
‘To all the moms, moms-to-be, and the women and families dealing with infertility or praying to build a family—I know what you’re going through and I’m hoping you feel loved and supported in every way as you navigate this journey,’ she wrote.
Michelle Kwan, 45, is pictured with her soon-to-be 4-year-old daughter Kalista
The Kwan girls are pictured together in this Christmas ornament: Michelle, Della and Kalista
Kwan is seen in this 2015 photo alongside her now-former husband, attorney Clay Pell
Naturally, well wishers have poured onto Kwan’s social media pages to congratulate her.
Most notably, former US skater Tara Lipinski commented: ‘Congratulations! I’m so happy for you and your family!’
As was the case this week, the 2022 birth of Kalista was also a complete surprise to Kwan’s fans.
‘As people closest to me know, I’m always full of surprises and tend to keep my personal life private,’ she wrote after Kalista’s birth in 2022.
‘And, I’ve wanted to share this happy news for many months but each milestone seemed to be exciting and daunting at the same time. Each step of the way, I knew that there was still more time needed until I could hold her in my arms.’
Winner of one silver and one bronze medal over three Olympic appearances (1998 Nagano, 2002 Salt Lake City, 2006 Turin), Kwan is best known for her five world championships and nine US championships, making her one of the most decorated skaters ever.