Mark Wahlberg and his wife Rhea Durham spent the weekend celebrating the birthday of their family’s youngest child.
The actor, 53, and his model wife, 46, have four children: Ella, 21, who attends Clemson University; sons Michael, 18, and Brendan, 16; and Grace, the youngest.
Grace turned 15 on Saturday, January 11, and her parents marked the occasion with heartfelt tribute posts, including many throwback then-and-now photos.
Her mother shared several photos of the teen, from her early days to her current status as a champion equestrian, following in the family’s athletic tradition.
“Happy birthday, baby girl,” she wrote. “How are you fifteen?!?! I am incredibly proud of you and who you are. My special girl, forever! Keep shining, and keep being yourself! “We all love you so much!”
Mark shared a collage of videos and adorable childhood photos of his youngest with the caption, “Happy 15th birthday, Grace!!! Wow, that was quick!” Rhea also responded, “Baby girl.”
Grace has been riding since she was a child and has already established herself as a successful show jumper, winning multiple ribbons. And her parents could not be more proud.
Mark told E! News about his strict training regimen, but praised his youngest for going above and beyond.
“My daughter — believe it or not — is more disciplined than me,” he proudly stated. “I didn’t start practicing that kind of discipline until I was in my 30s, and I had to do it because of work. She now does it on her own because she aspires to be an Olympian.
“I always thought the Patriots going to the Super Bowl was the most nerve-racking experience I’ve ever had,” he told me. “It’s nothing like watching my daughter on a horse.”
During a previous interview with People, the star stated that of his four children, Grace is “most like me” in terms of her love of fitness.
“She’s working out now. She is an equestrian. She now wants to increase her height and compete in Grand Prix jumps. “She needs to train,” he said.
“She’s doing things that my other kids are kind of now starting to think, ‘Well, we’ve got to start doing something because she’s got it all figured out, what she wants to do and how she wants to do it,” according to him. “And she’s doing the work.”
“I called her at around 10 a.m. I wanted to catch her before she left for the barn. “She was already at the barn on the horse,” the former rapper remarked. “So she’s got my work ethic for sure.”
The boys aren’t slouches, though, as Mark revealed to E! News that they also leaned into their athletic side. Michael, who is older, is “really into MMA, jiu jitsu, muay tai, right now,” and youngest Brendan “says he’s a better actor than me, and that he’s gonna be bigger than I ever was.” Brendan also enjoys sports such as basketball and golf.
