Pete Buttigieg, the U.S. Secretary of Transportation who made history as the first openly gay cabinet member confirmed by the Senate, and his husband Chasten Buttigieg have officially become fathers, welcoming twins into their family. This milestone comes after they publicly shared their journey to expand their family.
The former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, took to social media to introduce their newly adopted children. In a heartwarming black and white photograph, Pete and Chasten are seen in a hospital bed, each holding one of their newborns. This joyful moment marks a significant chapter for the couple, who have been open about their desire to start a family.
“Chasten and I are beyond thankful for all the kind wishes since first sharing the news that we’re becoming parents,” Pete Buttigieg shared on Twitter. “We are delighted to welcome Penelope Rose and Joseph August Buttigieg to our family.” The announcement was met with an outpouring of support and congratulations online, celebrating the expansion of the Buttigieg family.
Prior to this joyous announcement, Pete Buttigieg, 39, had expressed their long-held desire to grow their family. In a previous Twitter post, he mentioned that he and Chasten were eager to become parents and promised to share more details as their journey progressed. The arrival of Penelope Rose and Joseph August fulfills this dream and adds a personal dimension to Pete Buttigieg’s public life.
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The couple’s journey to parenthood began after their marriage in 2018. Chasten Buttigieg, 32, in an interview with The Washington Post in July, provided insights into their adoption process. He detailed their experience navigating adoption waiting lists, specifically for babies who are abandoned or surrendered shortly after birth. They had been actively trying to adopt for about a year and faced the emotional rollercoaster of several near adoptions that ultimately did not materialize.
Pete Buttigieg and Chasten Buttigieg backstage at The Barrymore Theatre in New York, showcasing their public life as a prominent gay couple.
“It’s a really weird cycle of anger and frustration and hope,” Chasten shared, reflecting on the challenges of the adoption process. “You think it’s finally happening and you get so excited, and then it’s gone.” This candid account highlighted the emotional complexities and uncertainties faced by many couples seeking to adopt.
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Interestingly, Pete Buttigieg’s consideration of family matters extends to his political views. During his presidential campaign trail in April 2019, while discussing his stance on paid family leave, he personally connected the issue to his aspirations of becoming a parent.
“We’re hoping to have a little one soon, so I have a personal stake in this one, too,” he stated at a rally, advocating for paid parental leave for everyone. “We should have paid parental leave and find a way to have paid leave for anyone who needs caring.” His comments underscored the importance of family support policies, a topic that now resonates even more deeply with his own family expansion.
As Pete and Chasten Buttigieg embark on this new chapter as parents to Penelope Rose and Joseph August, the focus shifts to their family life while Pete continues his role as Secretary of Transportation. The public is yet to learn about Pete Buttigieg’s plans for paternity leave, as he balances his demanding public service with his new family responsibilities.
ABC News’ Morgan Gstalter contributed to this report.
