Julie Andrews, now 90, remains one of the most admired performers in Hollywood history, with a career that began in television in the 1950s and rose to global fame through classic musicals such as The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins. Her role in Mary Poppins earned her a Best Actress Oscar, and both films are widely regarded as among the greatest movie musicals ever made. Over the decades, Andrews has continued to connect with new generations through projects including The Princess Diaries, Shrek, and the hit series Bridgerton.
Andrews has been married twice. Her first marriage was to costume designer Tony Walton, from 1959 to 1968. She later married director Blake Edwards in 1969, and the two remained together until his death in 2010. Across these relationships, she became a mother to three children and a stepmother to Edwards’ children from a previous relationship.
Her eldest child is Emma Walton Hamilton, born in 1962 to Andrews and Walton. Emma grew up in an artistic household and went on to work in several creative fields, including acting and producing. She appeared in titles such as Curse of the Pink Panther, That’s Life, and As the World Turns, and later served as executive producer on her mother’s 2017 project Julie’s Greenroom. Emma is especially known for her work as a writer and has co-authored several bestselling children’s books with Andrews, including The Very Fairy Princess. She has also helped her mother write memoirs about Andrews’ life and career. In addition to those collaborations, Emma has written her own books, including the poetry collection Door to Door and the parenting guide Raising Bookworms. She has been married to Stephen Hamilton since 1991, and they share two children.
After marrying Blake Edwards, Andrews became a stepmother to his children Jennifer and Geoffrey. She has spoken publicly about the challenges and meaning of step-parenting, saying that the experience was significant at a time when divorce and blended families were less common. Andrews has described her approach to motherhood as deeply centered on her children, noting that she has always tried to keep them close despite her working career.
With Edwards, Andrews adopted two daughters. Their first adopted daughter, Amy, joined the family in 1979 from Vietnam. Their second adopted daughter, Joanna, was adopted in 1975. Both daughters have largely remained out of the public eye, reflecting the family’s preference for privacy. Although they are less visible than Emma, Andrews has repeatedly emphasized how important all of her children are to her and how strongly she has prioritized family throughout her life and career.
Julie Andrews’ enduring legacy is not only defined by her acclaimed performances but also by the family she built across two marriages. Her children and stepchildren have been an important part of her life story, alongside a career that continues to inspire audiences around the world.
