Late American actor Christopher Reeve was most famous for his role as Superman. He also became a dad of three children with two different women before his death in 2004. Meet the deceased actor’s children and grandkids.
If Christopher Reeve were to be alive today, he would be 70 years old. The beloved actor was best known for playing the titular main character in the 1978 movie “Superman” and its three sequels.
Christopher died on October 10, 2004, at 52. His death resulted from an ulcer infection that led him to receive an antibiotic. However, the antibiotic led to a fatal cardiac arrest.
Although Christopher is no longer with us, his memory lives on thanks to numerous achievements during his lifetime, including his three children, who continue to honor him. Meet the actor’s three children, whom he shares with two different women.
CHRISTOPHER’S RELATIONSHIPS AND MARRIAGE
Christopher began a ten-year relationship with Gae Exton, a modeling executive, while filming the first two “Superman” movies. The couple lived together for several years and had two children, Son, Matthew, and daughter, Alexandra.
However, Christopher was never able to commit himself to getting married. Hence, he and Exton ended their relationship amicably in 1987. However, they remained friends afterward.
Christopher met singer and actress Dana Morosini in 1987. The couple started living together in 1991. They had a passionate and romantic relationship.
However, Christopher grew cold feet towards marriage because he always remembered his parents’ painful divorce and other failed marriages and could not bring himself to commit.
After he and Morosini almost broke up, he began a year of therapy to eliminate his fears about marriage. He finally proposed to her during dinner and married her in April 1992.
Two months after their marriage, they welcomed their son, William. Morosini and Christopher remained married until his death.
In 1985, Christopher got involved in horse riding after learning how to ride the film “Anna Karenina.” Despite being allergic to horses, he became a good rider and started participating in horse riding events.
On May 27, 1995, Christopher had a horse-riding accident and fell while holding the reins. He landed head first, shattering his first and second vertebrae.
Christopher sustained a cervical spinal injury and was paralyzed from the neck down. Also, his breathing stopped. In his new book, “Still Me,” the actor described his experience after the accident.
He revealed that his injuries were so terrible that his mom begged the doctors to take him off life support. Christopher also thought about ending his life. However, his wife, Morosini, made him rethink those thoughts.
Morosini said she would support Christopher in whatever decision he took because it was his life. However, she also promised to be with him for the long haul, no matter what.
Christopher said Morosini added the words that saved his life when she told him he was still himself and loved him. Spurred by the support of his wife, children, family members, loved ones, and fans, Christopher underwent surgery.
Afterward, he had to be in a wheelchair and breathe with a ventilator connected to his neck through a tracheostomy tube. After his accident and recovery, Christopher became the leading spokesman for people with spinal cord injuries.
He raised money for research through the Christopher Reeve Foundation. After Christopher’s death, Morosini took charge of his foundation.
However, in 2005, she was diagnosed with lung cancer despite being a non-smoker. She died at 44 in 2006. After her death, Christopher’s foundation was named after her to become the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.
CHRISTOPHER’S THREE CHILDREN
Christopher’s three children are all grown up and doing well in their endeavors. Matthew Reeve, born on December 20, 1979, is a writer and wrote the storyline for the television series “Agent Hamilton” and the screenplay “The Land That Never Was.”
On LinkedIn, Matthew describes himself as an experienced Screenwriter with a demonstrated history of working in the motion pictures and film industry.
On the 15th anniversary of his death, they honored him and Morosini.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brown University and a Master of Fine Arts degree from New York University. He is also an MBA holder from NYU.
Matthew is a father of two children, a son, and a daughter; he shares with his partner Anna Lo Westlin. Westlin paid tribute to Matthew in an Instagram post she made on December 20, 2019. Accompanying the post was a photo of Matthew and his son.
In the post’s caption, she wished him a happy birthday and described him as a dreamboat. Westlin also described him as a wonderful partner and father. She listed many of Matthew’s numerous qualities before expressing love to him.
In another post, Westlin made on December 22, 2019; she shared a short video of them with their two kids while they were posing in a photo booth. She captioned the post, “Never met a photo booth we didn’t like 🎬.”
Christopher’s only daughter, Alexandra Reeve Givens, was born in December 1983. She is the President and CEO of the Center for Democracy & Technology. Alexandra advocates for the use of technology to increase equality, amplify voices and promote human rights.
Alexandra is married to Garren Givens, who she met while studying at Yale University. The couple tied the knot in 2008 and welcomed their first child in June 2015.
Alexandra and Garren named their child Christopher Russel Reeve Givens after their fathers. Alexandra does not show her child on social media, unlike her older brother, Matthew, and his partner, Westlin.
Christopher’s youngest child and son, Will Reeve, is a correspondent with ABC News. His job takes him worldwide and the country, and he sees it as a dream fulfilled.
Will usually shares his activities as a reporter on social media. On July 27, he shared photos from his coverage of the NBA Championships Finals between Milwaukee Bucks and the Phoenix Suns.
Will has also worked as New York Yankees Stadium Tour Guide and shared photos from some of his activities in that role on July 27, 2017.
The Reeves siblings share a close bond. On May 20, 2017, Will shared a photo of himself and Matthew having fun on Stockholm Day. In the post’s caption, he thanked Westlin for allowing him to have Matthew on that day.
In November 2015, Will also shared a picture of him, Matthew, and Alexandra, clad in matching black outfits after enjoying a night out. He captioned the post:
“Been a while since we all got together. Post #AMagicalEvening with @mrmatthewreeve and @alexandra1dc.”
The siblings also coordinate the affairs of their late dad’s foundation. On December 1, 2015, Will shared a snapshot showing him and his siblings posing with Eric LeGrand in partnership with the Christopher Reeve Foundation.
CHRISTOPHER’S KIDS KEEP HIS LEGACY ALIVE
Christopher’s children have done superbly to honor his memory. On the 15th anniversary of his death, they honored him and Morosini by standing side by side at the 2019 Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation Gala in New York City.
Matthew, Alexandra, and Will spoke to Closer Weekly about their dad during the gala and how they continue to feel his presence in their lives.
Matthew said there are pictures of his dad in his home. He further said he talks to his kids about the late star and that his daughter knows her grandfather was Superman.
Alexandra said she feels her dad’s presence more than ever, especially as his dreams for the foundation are becoming a reality.
Meanwhile, Will said he gets reminded about his dad in how he lives his life by continuing to be his person and having moments when he tells himself things Christopher would have done.
In a chat with People, Will also said his dad’s legacy would never go away. He said he feels he is responsible for carrying his mom and dad’s legacy on for the rest of his life and beyond. He added:
“I think that the foundation is one way, one tangible way, that his legacy and my mom’s legacy will always live on. And I think the way that I, and my siblings, live our lives is another way.”
Christopher lived an impactful life and was loved by many people. Through his kids and his foundation, his legacy will forever be alive.
