Back when Ricky Martin first had twins via surrogate, he told People Magazine that he was caring for both of his newborn boys without the help of a nanny. Martin presumably didn’t even have a partner at the time. He said “I’m doing this on my own because I don’t want to miss a moment. I have a personal assistant who helps me, someone who takes care of me while I’m taking care of them, but I’m the one who changes the diapers, the one that feeds them, the one that bathes them, the one that puts them to sleep. For any parent, the first couple of months tend to get a little bit intense.” (Clay Aiken said something similar about being a hands-on parent to his son.)
Unlike Ricky Martin, Elton John and his partner David Furnish don’t seem to be putting as much priority on daddy duty. The Daily Mail reports that their newborn Zachary, born via surrogate on Christmas day, has two nannies and lives in an adjacent apartment. It’s unclear whether the apartment is connected to theirs, but it’s next door. John and Furnish live in a luxury apartment in Los Angeles outfitted with modern furnishings and expensive art. You can see photos on Architectural Digest’s website. They’re said to be in the process of decorating the second apartment for their new baby while he’s being cared for there, but it’s not known whether they had a wall taken down or if they have to go out into the hall and use the door to visit him.
The Mail on Sunday has learned that Sir Elton, 63, and his partner David Furnish have appointed a top Hollywood interior designer to turn the flat beside their luxury home into a dream nursery.
Although the work is not yet finished, several months after it started, eight-day-old Zachary is already installed there, and looked after by round-the-clock nannies.
A New York television star who is a long-time friend of the couple said: ‘Elton and David have wanted this baby for a long time. They bought their first apartment in 2007 and then the following year they bought the smaller one next door.
‘Everyone originally thought they bought the smaller apartment because they wanted extra space, but then I found out they were trying to have a baby.
‘They haven’t said whether they have knocked the wall down between the two apartments but I must say at Elton’s age, I wouldn’t blame him if there is no adjoining door. Will he really want to be woken up at night by a screaming baby?
‘From what I understand the baby and his nannies are living in one apartment and Elton and David are living in another.’
The couple have hired ‘interior designer to the stars’ Martyn Lawrence-Bullard to decorate the baby’s apartment. Lawrence-Bullard, who also masterminded Sir Elton’s flat, was overheard telling a friend: ‘I am still decorating it. It is not quite finished yet.’
A source at the building, the 32-storey Sierra Towers, said last night: ‘It seems a slightly odd arrangement when you have waited so long to have a child. It certainly gives a new answer to the question: what do you give the baby who has everything? His own flat, of course.
‘Everyone in the building has been talking of nothing else but the baby all week.
‘Apparently he is seriously cute with wispy blond hair. He is in his own apartment with a Filipino lady and an African-American nurse, who are with him 24/7.’
Sir Elton’s spokesman Gary Farrow yesterday said of the baby’s sleeping arrangement: ‘It’s private. No comment.’
[From The Daily Mail]
Elton John is going on a five month world tour starting at the end of this month, but he’s only doing about four shows a month. I don’t blame these two for hiring help and expanding their place so that they have room for Zachary. It makes sense, and it doesn’t mean that they’re foisting off all his care onto the help. A lot of people go back to work after having babies. This story did strike me as kind of a large contrast to what both Ricky Martin and Clay Aiken said about caring for their sons.
Photos are from March and August, 2010. Credit: Fame Pictures
I also think we have to contrast Clay and Ricky’s age(mid 20s&30s) with Elton’s he is in his early 60’s. But uhm He should try to be more hands on so the kid knows who the heck he is.
I thought it was odd when Sandra Bernhardt did and totally don’t get it now. While it does take work to care for children, it really isn’t that complicated. If you aren’t willing get get in there and parent, why adopt?
Don’t they want to bond with this child?
Hmm, tough call. When my boy was a colicky little baby we as new parents were total zombies unable to sleep, eat, shower, or wear clean clothing. Being older parents didn’t help either. There were times when I would have done ANYTHING for outside help. But to have your baby completely in another space?
I’m torn I guess.
He should save enough money for the child’s therapy. Detachment disorder anyone?
this is the saddest…when my babies were newborns they knew my “smell” and preferred me to anyone else. Its the bond thing. Who is doing that for this child?
I was curious about what their apartment looks like so I clicked on to the link.
If anyone is interested, take a look at the wall of photos facing the bed in Elton’s and David’s bedroom. Ugh. Very telling.
There’s no real warmth that I can detect… or evidence of the lives lived within the carefully arranged walls (other than the myriad, whorling, neon phallic symbols hanging in the bedroom).
And so it appears to be with the child they’ve purchased. He’s an addition to their chilly collection of possessions, apparantly mainly for display.
I whole heartedly agree,a child NEEDS its parents,be they gay or straight,just another sign of Elton Johns vulgarity and self indulgence ,this from a man who came out so late in life and yet, claims to be a champion of gay people,stick to your music Elton ,in fact make that second now ,and stick to your son
Eh, I think this is pretty normal for celebrities and people with tons of money. People were so impressed with the Ricky Martin story because it was SO abnormal for hollywood.
Most people go back to work because they HAVE to. Every mother I have ever met would give their right arm to be able to stay home to raise their child the first few years of their life, not to mention the first few months.
Now, I’m not saying people don’t miss work, or anything like that. Just most people prioritize their babies.
Elton John is not at the start of his career where if he doesn’t tour he might lose fans, or a record contract. He has made his name and money. Now take time off, take care of your baby and try living under the same roof. geez.
i remember to read the same stories with Nicole Kidman’s biological baby (by Lainey)
How old is Elton John? Having a baby in your 60’s seems to me to be the epitome of selfishness.
This story, if true, confirms it.
Well sorry- I’ll just say it: (and let me preface it with the caveat of assuming this story is true)
Ego baby. Very sad.
Not surprising but definately disturbing.
First Mommy-dearest and now Elton-dearest.
Oh for Heaven’s sake! If this is true they should have just bought a puppy instead. That is not how you care for a child!
I LOVE my son and taking care of him when he was a newborn was fantastic, but there were times when I wish I could have had a separate apartment and nannies for him! Although, like the others, if you aren’t going to take care of the baby, why have one in the first place?
This story is getting creepy. New borns must have that constant personal attention from the parents. It’s needed for physical, psycological, emotional, and intellectual well being. If these two don’t take the job of parenting seriously, this will turn out bad for them as well as the child.
This poor child is already doomed as far as being well-adjusted. Raising a child so he has a sense of being loved purely for being himself is impossible if when a difficult moment comes he is handed off to a nanny. The nannies will be his real, emotional parents…and if they are not a constant in his life, and it becomes a revolving door of employees, well, we are looking at an unendingly needy, possible super-brat in future tabloid headlines.
I find this very very sad
I hope they keep those nanies until the baby is all grown up…
Hiring a nanny or two to take care of your children is VERY common in England and has been for centuries.
When my family moved to England in the 1960’s, even though we were poor, my mother hired a nanny for us, because that’s what you did (and yes, she wasn’t paid much because she lived in, and so got free room and board). Poor people could only afford two or less servants, you see.
Only in America do people raise their own children, and frankly, are worked to death doing it. Quit thinking this is creepy. This is what people in most other first world countries do. You need to get out more.
it did not say thet they do not see or have the baby ,just that it has a extra apartment , and has nannies , let them be .
I’ve always liked Elton John, but…
How does baby bond with his daddys if he’s in ANOTHER APARTMENT? Why even have a child if you’re just going to keep him in a separate space with round-the-clock nannies? I’m not against them having help, but are they actually going to be hands-on with this baby?
What? Wow! i believe we have a “Daddies Dearest” on our hands….
wrong wrong wrong in so many ways…
It seems like this child is being raised in a gilded orphanage. Like many here have have said, if you are not going to raise your child then why have one?
It’s vital for newborns to bond with one caretaker – usually it’s the mother, but it can be anyone. But with ’round the clock nannies’ and Elton and David next door, I worry for this child’s emotional well being.
Help is one thing; having your baby live and sleep in another space is another. Babies need to bond with at least one parent – of any gender – and preferably two – of any gender. Now, the baby will bond with a nanny who can be fired at any time. Michael Jackson’s kids bonded with a long-term nanny, and then he fired her because she went behind his back to tell his mom and his close friend that she was worried about his health and drug use. She was right about his health; he’s dead, and the children suffered the most.
BW@19, I find your comment “Only in America do people raise their own children, and frankly, are worked to death doing it.” extremely sad and creepy.
You just gave me a brand new reason to love my country and a great deal of insight into the British psyche.
There is no denying that it is difficult in today’s times to raise a child on one income for a two parent household, therefore most American mothers work. This does create a great deal of guilt on the part of the parents and some frustration for the kids. But, it is my most deepest belief that the foundation of love, security and self-worth that children develop during adolescence is built not during the fun times of birthday celebrations and holiday parties, but during the everyday monotony of little things: changing dirty diapers, singing and dancing during baths, reading and/or rocking to sleep, when they make a mess you clean it up with them, when they misbehave, you discipline. These things reinforce the necessary belief that even when I’m not perfect, my parents will always love me. This sense of love is what should drive people to contribute something positive to this world and to other people.
I’m not saying that it’s impossible to have in the multiple nanny setup, but I think it may be harder to develop. But, I don’t really know, I don’t have nannies for my kids and I don’t know anyone who ever has.
I just know the joy of waking up to my kids messiness and craziness and being comforted by the belief that, crazy as they may be, they know that they’re loved.
/rant
Back to the topic, it seems like Sir Elton and his partner has done what so many other misguided (hetero) couples do. In order to prove and/or increase the validity/strength of the relationship, add a kid to the mix. Often times, no one asks/develops the desire to actually be a parent (and all of the work that it entails), but the kid will look cute in pictures. There is always a difference for the people who want a kid vs. the people who want to parent, it’s measured in the joy of the child.
Truth be told, these nannies are probably much better caretakers to a newborn then Elton and his partner. Elton is 63 years old, that is like grandpa-aged people! He is not equipped to be up every 2-3 hours feeding, changing and caring for this baby round the clock and, when his son is 18, he will be 81 years old! Sounds like there is a good arrangement in place for care, and a completely reasonable one. Now, as for the reasons that the decided to have a child so late in life, that is anyone’s guess, but the child will be well taken care of and will bond with the nannies and see his daddies when they are available. This is not that bad really, consider children born in poverty that go without…..much worse.
“Only in America do people raise their own children…”
Spare us the inaccurate America bashing.
As far as John and Furnish and their baby are concerned, I guess this set-up works for them as a family.
Elton’s partner is only in his forties, so I’m sure he’s more hands on during the newborn stage. I’m sure they have a connecting door and just bought the small next door apartment to have room and make the nursery and have room for nanny’s quarters.
@BW
Perhaps you should have had a mother’s care because you sound like a prig. The OTHER difference here, is you are talking about two men with loads of cash. They didn’t find themselves pregnant, or have a child to fill some familial obligation. They went out and adopted! Adopted a child to take home and ignore. That is pathetic in any country. And the fact that you don’t think so is equally pathetic.
Sorry, still stuck on “The baby’s apartment.” WHA???
Back in the day, old Hollywood royals Margaret Sullavan and Leland Heyward bought a property that had separate “homes” for themselves and their children.
Of course no good came to 2 of their 3 kids. Son Bill, who co-produced Easy Rider with Peter Fonda, spent a lifetime in and out of smancy-fancy mental health farms, daughter Bridget committed suicide, and Brooke, who wrote about it all in her book, Haywire, said it all in the title.
Sounds like there needs to be less decorating and more hands on parenthood. Early bonding is so important. If they aren’t careful the baby will feel closer to the nannies. I like Ricky Martin’s way better.
@BW19
Hiring a nanny or two to take care of your children is VERY common in England and has been for centuries.
When my family moved to England in the 1960’s, even though we were poor, my mother hired a nanny for us, because that’s what you did (and yes, she wasn’t paid much because she lived in, and so got free room and board). Poor people could only afford two or less servants, you see.
Sorry but this is so way off the mark that I laughed my ass off.
I grew up in the UK and did no know one person who had a nanny (except for the
Royal Family) U give the wrong impression of a nation of people who raise their own families and rally round to help neighbors in need.
BW:
January 3rd, 2011 at 10:54 am Hiring a nanny or two to take care of your children is VERY common in England and has been for centuries.
This is not true.
I’ll wait until he’s on some show providing more deets. I’m hoping for this kids sake that they are both more hands on than this seems to imply. The 1st few weeks, my mom was a Godsend that helped me bond better with my kid. Mom helped me so that I could spend more time with my child. Maybe this arrangement allows for better quality time? Shrugs*
If I could have my boys live next door, I would probably be all over that. I just went in their playroom and there is Play-doh stuck to the damn ceiling! And it’s a gabled roof so the ceiling is like 14ft high. Damn it! And I’m a little shell-shocked from all the damn Nerf guns my damn brother sent down for Christmas so now every time I hear a damn noise, I want to duck for cover (and the cats run for their under-the-bed haven). I’m just saying…I’d probably let them live next door…or in the garage…whatever.
Meant to add, for those interested in Six Degrees-type celeb connections, that Brooke Hayward, daughter of actress Margaret Sullavan and mega producer Leland Hayward, was married to Dennis Hopper, with whom she had a daughter named Marin.
and Disco, having barely survived raising twin sons, I feel your pain!
I grew up in the UK as well, and BW should be renamed BS. What a troll! Their take on a land of servants is the silliest thing I’ve ever heard. It’s really about bashing Brits.
And yeah, “they’re foisting off all his care onto the help”. The poor babe is just another purchase, another ‘objet d’art’ to go with their designer living.
Very sad if it’s true. Ah well, at least the child will have lots of money for his lifetime of therapy.
Poor kid… being stuck with old-creepy-non-loving Elton John when he could have had Ricky Martin as his dad.
Love how all these “flowers” are having boys.
As for the living arrangements, I would not be separated from my child for ANY reason. I guess I’m just not a dilettante. Sad for me – NOT.
This story story seems to be blown out of proportion. To buy an adjoining apartement to enlarge the old one for a nursery is not such a bad idea. And people please… relax with the whole “bonding” idea. This is a product of psychology from the 70ies. Take the studies from the french sociologist Elisabeth Badinter for example. Hundreds of years the poor had to work 10 hours and more and where to tired to look after their children and the rich just let nurses look after them. And just the same there came out “nice” and “not so nice” persons… people with psychological problems and others who where healthy. So to pin a certain degree of “bad start” on this baby is quite overshooting the mark.
Also: we are reading a celeb gossip site, shouldn’t we all be aware to take everything we read with a grain of salt?
Zachary is already installed there,
==============
I don’t know rather to laugh or to cry.
They’d have to move the Dale Chihuly off the end table if they didn’t get the kid his own apartment.
I know a number of people who have bought neighboring apartments to enlarge their space. Since no one seems to know if there’s an interior connection or not, I’m going to assume (and hope) that’s the case here. Also not stunned there are nannies, I’d assume it’s a morning/night nanny situation, and probably just 2 of the many staff Elton has on hand. He’s never been the ordinary guy, do it yourself kind of person.
If it turns out the baby is living separately, then I don’t get it, why have a child if you’re not going to raise him/her?
Age aside, I just can not see Elton John changing diapers or waking up to give his son a bottle at 3am. It will be interesting to see how he copes with the terrible twos!
Stop comparing millionaires to normal people who have to work! A lot people go back to work after having a baby because they HAVE to not because they want to. If Elton’s rich enough to buy the baby it’s own apartment so he doesn’t have to listen to it crying, he’s rich enough to stay home for the first year and bond with the baby. It’s a good thing Elton is rich this kid is going to need years of therapy when it goes grows up.
@BW Wtf are you talking about?!
Have you based your facts on watching Mary Poppins or something? Your mum clearly did.
Thats an offensive comment saying America are the only country to raise their own children. Only the uber rich can afford to have nannies take care of their children, which is no different in America. You need to earn a wage to pay a wage.
Having a nanny is incredibly old fashioned anyway. I mean, I don’t have children of my own yet, but why would you ever want anybody else to feed them, play with them, sing them to sleep and cuddle them when they’re upset?
Don’t make sweeping generalisations like that.
@ycnan — Uh, sorry, no. My baby and my toddler are great and I love them to pieces, but I enjoy going to my office every day. I was able to take 4 months off for maternity and that was all I wanted. My husband and I could probably eke out a living on his salary alone but that’s not for me. I had a top-notch nanny at first, and now my mother-in-law caring for the baby, and my little guy is in preschool, and I am a happy mom :^)
Why didn’t they just get a purse dog and throw it in a kennel? Much cheaper, particularly years down the road when the kid’s psychotherapy bills start rolling in.
Well, the baby will be close to the nannies.
The problem is, people don’t tend to keep the same nannies from birth to an age at which they no longer need a sitter. So the poor kid will probably lose the two people he’s most bonded with (these two first nannies) at some point to get new ones. And then newer ones. And newer ones. And newer ones.
Meanwhile Daddy and Daddy are off on world tours, having parties, going to parties, sleeping in, can’t be bothered.
I’m sorry, but this is ridiculous. They bought a baby to stroke their ego and to have as an accessory. Maybe once he’s walking, they’ll trot him out for a minute or two at their parties to show off.
Yuck.
This story could be true but I don’t believe anything in the Daily Mail.
I’m sorry for this baby! I think that people who mean to raise a child this way should not adopt, be they straight OR homo.
I have no intention to have my sleep interrupted by a child, which is why I have none.
@ Kim #54: ITA, it’s not called the Daily Fail for nothing and keeps the guys at Tabloidwatch busier than any other of those “quality” papers in the UK.
I’d like to think they’d even manage to get the date wrong on occasion.
I can understand buying an adjacent apartment to increase the size of yours, and hiring a nanny to help take care of your children.
However, the nanny should be used as extra help when you need it and not actually raise the child.
So sad that this child will most likely grow up with several nannies throughout his lifetime, and fathers who are too busy for him.
It seems to me the later in life you have children the bigger the intrusion on your lifestyle. I can’t imagine these two wanting to do the day to day raising of this kid, babies make noise and need things all the time. They probably won’t want it in the house when it’s a bit older because it might touch the art and expensive furnishings. Hence the separate living situation. Should have got a puppy instead!
@ Celebitchy- please don’t use Daily Mail stories about Elton + David as a factual reference point – they are well known for being EXTREMELY HOMOPHOBIC and have made character assassinations on many high profile gay people in the UK. Google ‘Brian Paddick’ or ‘Stephen Gately’ and you’ll find out more details on this.
I’m sure he wants to avoid the headache of that first year on the middle of the night feedings…HOWEVER…he’s missing out. But, if that’s how he wants to do it, whatever, it’s his loss. The baby might not remember that when they are older…BUT it’s still about that whole experience on raising the child themselves. It will also depend how much they are planning on being in that child’s life. In some countries that would be considered neglecting. But I guess when you have money, it’s not neglect. And yes, even if a baby is months old…new born to a year, they know a lot of things are very smart. They know their mommy and daddys smell like people have said, that’s very true and they know the sound of their voice, they get happy when they see their parents. And that happens with spending lots of quality time with the child, raising them yourself. I’m sure extra help is nice and helps a lot, but not to the point where it’s taken advantage of, regardless if you are paying for it or not. I have a feeling they are not the only celebrities to do that with their kids, they are probably just more honest and open about it. So many other celebrities have kids for what…so they can just parade them around town like a new gucci bag or shoes, latest cell phone or gadget or candy? Or cause having kids is the new “trend” in Hollywood? But ya, anyone can be like that, in their own way…rich or not. I used to know of some people who would just leave their kid all the time with their mom or aunt all the time (for free) and not pay them, just so they can go out and be whores in the clubs. So while “normal” people DO take care of their kids…”normal” people are just as fucked up too. Yet my mom would complain if I remotely asked her to watch my son when I had to work or go to classes at the university, she bitched…and I didn’t pay her much, just what I could…but she couldn’t have at least been proud I was trying to be something positive with myself and my life. But it wasn’t for long anyway, I stopped going to class and working cause I had nobody to watch him, so now I just take care of my own kids, with no one’s help, cause I don’t want to hear any one’s bullshit that I’m “taking advantage” of them or I’m not doing something right…so screw them, I’ll do it myself. And I’m sure that’s any parent…regardless if it’s in America, Britain, Mexico or China…or Bumm F*ck Egypt. And I agree with comment 27. JustBe
My baby is 15 months and I still can’t get myself to have him sleep in his own room. In my defense his room is two floors up and there’s ghosts. I could NEVER EVER have his daily living so far away from mine.
Im very happy for Elton. It seemed like all he did was work. Now he finally has a family of his own. Maybe his own apartment doesnt have rooms for the baby or they are remodeling and he can easily afford another apartment for the servnats. Im surprised by all the hateration on here. The guy is 60-something and finally got to have a kid. Congrats! (You guys act like gay people having kids is the worst thing in the world.)
Meh, I’m not going to judge until I see there’s something to actually judge. They have a living space full of art and all that jazz. It seems they bought a second apartment in order to create a baby safe world attached to their adult space. Who knows what the actual living and sleeping arrangements are? The second apartment could be wide open to the first, but have living spaces that are more child friendly.
Lucky Bitches…I went further, I tried leaving my toddler with a note attached to his jacket with my parents, then snuck out to India and leaved in Mumbai under an assumed name. Those Bitches hunted me down like Jason Bourne and returned my bundle of joy back to me. Next….Nigeria.
you are all so preachy, preachy,…..always handing out advice on child care and parent tactics….. Many of you should be ‘head doctors’…… You should all get over yourselves really.
It just sounds like they’re so used to ‘compartmentalizing’ their life, that they’re doing the same with this new baby.
Admittedly… it doesn’t sound like the best situation for the child, in regards to developing a bond with his parents. But as *I* don’t have children, I can only go from what I know from others.
I just hope their parenting isn’t always so ‘hands off’ as this story makes it sound.
I’m thrilled for Elton and his partner,and the Baby. He’s got 2 good parents. They can pass on Wisdom and their art knowledge and collections. I hope the baby is naturally gifted.
I really don’t think that a couple who was willing to raise an HIV-positive child would make mistakes like not bonding correctly with their son. The fact that Zachary sleeps an unusual distance from them does not mean they don’t have regular physical contact with him. They are, admittedly, a wealthy couple who have wanted to be parents for a while, and giving their baby the best of everything in whatever ways they know how is typical of that. I think the kid will be fine. David seems especially grounded.