Shonda Rhimes’ Daughters Steal Paris Spotlight

• The Emmy-winning showrunner adopted Harper in 2002, adopted Emerson in 2012, and welcomed Beckett via surrogacy in 2013
• Harper studied business at Parsons, founded the nonprofit Serve a Purpose, and now lives in London
• Emerson recently tried watching Grey’s Anatomy but stopped after Cristina Yang’s ectopic-pregnancy arc
• Why it matters: Fans rarely see Rhimes’ private world, making the Paris premiere a window into how motherhood shapes the creator of television’s most beloved dramas.

Rhimes adopted Harper nine months and two days after 9/11, naming her after Harper Lee. The terrorist attacks spurred the single mother to stop “asking what’s wrong with my life” and hire an adoption attorney.

Harper grew up dancing, riding horses, and watching Friends and Stranger Things, not her mom’s shows. She finds it “horrifying” that peers binge Grey’s Anatomy, a stance Rhimes calls “the best compliment ever.” A 30-second cameo in the 2018 Scandal finale remains her only on-screen credit.

After Marlborough School, Harper earned a business degree from Parsons in 2025 and launched Serve a Purpose, linking professionals with at-risk youth for therapy, yoga, and career coaching. She now lives in London, “living her best life,” according to Rhimes’ October 2025 Call Her Daddy interview.

Emerson Pearl Rhimes, 12

Rhimes adopted Emerson in 2012. Toddler Emerson called everyone “honey,” inspiring Rhimes’ TED talk on reclaiming creativity by saying “yes” to playtime. “My kids are my happy place,” Rhimes said.

Emerson recently sampled Grey’s Anatomy, stopping mid-season after Yang’s ectopic pregnancy. “She was furious…’I didn’t see this coming,'” Rhimes recalled.

Born via surrogacy in 2013, Beckett briefly renamed herself “GabbyDouglas Rhimes” after the Olympic gymnast. She and friends have a pact never to watch Grey’s Anatomy: “Nobody wants to know what Beckett’s mother has to say about life or love.”