For a long time, Hollywood's leading lady Sandra Bullock never considered settling down and having a family of her own. She was content with her choice until tragedy struck.
Throughout most of her adult life, actress Sandra Bullock had been solely focused on her thriving career in showbusiness.
The Hollywood starlet once admitted that she barely remembered large parts of her life because of her obsession to accomplish something.
Actress Sandra Bullock posing in the press room at the 77th Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 05, 2020 in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
"I don't remember large parts of my life because I was on a path to accomplish something," said Bullock. As for getting married and starting a family, the producer said she did not have a positive outlook on marriage.
The California native had a preconceived notion that once she tied the knot, she would not do things that she was used to doing before becoming someone's wife:
"I always thought of marriage as a death sentence, that there'd be a ball and chain, and you'd be told, 'You need to stop doing these things and become a good little wife.'"
Sandra Bullock speaking onstage during The 2019 ESPYs at Microsoft Theater on July 10, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
That is not to say that she was not in the dating game during that period. Bullock once had high profile relationships with co-star Tate Donovan, alongside whom she starred in 1992's "Love Potion No.9"
Her next romance was with co-star Matthew McConaughey with whom she starred in "A Time To Kill" in 1996. Looking back to her late thirties, the Academy Award winner said she would do everything the same way with less worrying.
Though people purported that she was unlucky in love, the "The Proposal" star could not be bothered because she was content with the joy and love that she had at the time.
Sandra Bullock pictured accepting her award onstage during the 2019 MTV Movie and TV Awards at Barker Hangar on June 15, 2019 in Santa Monica, California. | Source: Getty Images
One day, Bullock took her then 10-year-old godson to West Coast Choppers in Long Beach, Los Angeles. The youngster had constantly talked about motorcycles and the host of "Monster Garage."
So, she had her office call the host, named Jesse James, and arranged for him to give her godson a tour of his store. When she returned to the office, Bullock learned that James had called.
She urged her employees not to give James her number and provide him with her email address instead, telling them she would blow him off. James emailed her, and she bluntly said no. Persistent, he emailed her again, sending her 20 questions.
Jesse James during Book Signing for "I Am Jesse James" at West Coast Choppers Showroom in Long Beach, California. | Source: Getty Images
Taken aback, Bullock was amazed by his provoking interest in politics, racism, and life. She was also in awe that he liked jazz and classical music. Through their exchange, Bullock learned more about who James was even though she had no intention of being in a relationship:
"It was not something I wanted, needed, or looked for."
However, Bullock decided to take the plunge and give James a chance to explore a romantic relationship. The pair dated for two years before they made their relationship official. They wed on July 16, 2015, in a romantic ceremony in California.
Jesse James and wife Sandra Bullock arriving at the 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 17, 2010 in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
When the Golden Globe Award winner married the automotive mechanic, she also became a stepmother to his three children, Chandler, Jesse Jr., and Sunny, whom she lovingly accepted as her own. She spoke about being a stepmom during a press conference in 2007:
"Here's the thing, I have children. I married into children. I love those children. My concern and love for those kids as a co-parent is no less than if I had that child biologically."
Sandra Bullock and her husband Jesse James arriving at the Vanity Fair Dinner And After Party on March 7, 2010 in West Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
Bullock and James were granted full custody of his daughter, Sunny, four years into their marriage. The victory came after a months-long custody battle with James' former wife, Janine Lindemulder, with whom he shares his youngest daughter.
Per reports, the "The Lost City" star was helping raise Sunny when her mother was sentenced to six months in prison for tax evasion in late 2008.
When Lindemulder got released from prison in October 2009, she ignited another custody battle over Sunny. Still, Bullock stood by her husband. Everything seemed in good books per usual at the time.
HURRICANE KATRINA CHANGED BULLOCK'S LIFE FOREVER
During an appearance on "TODAY" in June 2018, Hoda Kotb asked Bullock whether she knew that motherhood would never be for her while in her forties.
She agreed and said she had made peace that she would never have children. The "Ocean's 8" star became emotional and stated the Hurricane Katrina natural disaster gave her a change of heart:
"Katrina happened in New Orleans, and I knew. Something told me that my child was there. It was weird."
Sandra Bullock and husband Jesse James at the 2006 Vanity Fair Oscar Party. | Source: Getty Images
The incident was the reason why she decided to adopt a child even though she already had stepchildren. She and her husband, James, decided to adopt their son Louis together, and so they applied, and the grueling process began for them.
Bullock revealed it took the couple four years to finally welcomed Louis into their lives. They had started the adoption process long before they filed for divorce.
When Bullock thought she had found her happily ever after, a scandal rocked her marriage. It came to light that James had cheated on her with model Michelle 'Bombshell' McGee.
Jesse James during the Motor Bike Expo 2009 on January 16, 2009 in Verona, Italy. | Source: Getty Images
In addition, two other women, LA-based photographer Brigitte Daguerre and stripper Melissa Smith, also came forward claiming that they had affairs with the American entrepreneur.
In a candid interview with the DailyMail.com in March 2017, James admitted to being unfaithful to America's sweetheart and that he takes accountability for it:
"Yeah, I did cheat on my wife. Yeah, I stood up and took accountability for it and apologized. And that's the end of the story."
Sandra Bullock during the 66th Annual Directors Guild Of America Awards at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza on January 25, 2014 in Century City, California. | Source: Getty Images
Devastated, Bullock filed for divorce in April 2010 after five years of marriage with James. She frankly told "People" that "I'm sad and scared" about the chapter of her life with him ending.
A rep for the movie star confirmed that she had filed legal papers seeking to dissolve her union but declined to specify under what jurisdiction they were filed.
BULLOCK RECEIVED ANOTHER SHOCK
While still grieving her marriage, Bullock received a call that her newborn baby was ready for his new home. At the time, "The Unforgivable" star was utterly unprepared for baby Louis and admitted:
"He was unexpected. He was not planned. One day, I got a call, 'Your placement is here,' and that's after years after having filed it."
Sandra Bullock and her son, Louis Bullock, spotting leaving their Soho home on January 20, 2011 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Still in disbelief, Bullock mentioned how suddenly everything else panned out. "It literally was out of the blue. And so, I was handed a plastic bag and a child," said the proud mom.
When she met her baby boy, Bullock knew that fate brought them together right away. She was always told that "the perfect child would find her" and vice versa, which she deemed beautiful.
Producer Sandra Bullock holding her child, Louis, on January 6, 2011 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
However, she found it difficult to believe because it had not happened yet. But when it eventually came to pass, she knew what people meant.
The new mom gushed about her bundle of joy in an exclusive interview with People, stating that she could not find other words to describe her son.
Sandra Bullock and son Louis Bullock pictured in Manhattan on March 20, 2011 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
"He's just perfect. I can't even describe him any other way," said Bullock, a mother to Louis Bardo Bullock, born in New Orleans. "It's like he's always been a part of our lives."
The "Speed" star kept the adoption of her son a secret. A few weeks after welcoming Louis, she had to attend the Oscars, where she won the award for the movie "The Blind Side."
Even on the biggest night of her career, all Bullock could think of was her infant son, whom she had left home, and she desperately wanted to rush back to feed him.
Sandra Bullock, winner Best Actress award for the film "The Blind Side," pictured with Jesse James during the 82nd Annual Academy Awards Governor's Ball at Kodak Theatre on March 7, 2010 in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
For her chic outfit for the evening, the talented star had to be sewn in the gown she wore. When asked how she got herself out of the dress during an interview with CBS correspondent Tracy Smith, Bullock revealed that she ripped it:
"You rip it. I ripped it. And then I asked them to fix it. I go, 'I don't know what happened! All the beads came off!"
Sandra Bullock posing in the press room with her Oscar Award during the 82nd Annual Academy Awards at Kodak Theatre on March 7, 2010 in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
Even though she could not entirely divorce James, Bullock raised her son alone and shut out the rest of the world while at it. She later acknowledged that many things occurred at the time, and she wanted to avoid tainting Louis' first year of life with her grief for her union.
When she and James brought Louis home, they kept it a secret until after the Oscars. Luckily for them, their close friends and family, including James' brood, managed to keep the news under wraps for three months.
Sandra Bullock's son, Louis Bullock, photographed on the streets of Manhattan on March 20, 2011 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Bullock and her baby boy made the cover story for People's April 2010 issue, wherein she divulged details about her secret adoption and introduced Louis to the world.
During her appearance on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" in May 2015, Bullock revealed that she cried many happy tears on Mother's Day. She mentioned that everything Louis did made her cry, especially when he wrote and sang her a song.
Sandra Bullock and son Louis Bullock during the 70th Venice International Film Festival on August 27, 2013 in Venice, Italy. | Source: Getty Images
The doting mother said Louis has a tender heart. Him being a New Orleans native, Bullock takes her son there frequently, all as a single mother. James has no contact with his former wife or their adopted son Louis.
James boldly said that he does not regret how his life turned out after his divorce with Bullock and is happy being where he is without them in his life.
DESPITE THE BITTER EXPERIENCE, BULLOCK FOUND LOVE WITH BRYAN RANDALL
Nonetheless, Bullock found love again with photographer Bryan Randall, whom she started dating in 2015. In November that year, People reported that the couple was spotted at Andante café in LA on a coffee date.
An onlooker revealed the lovebirds seemed relaxed and happy to be together. "She stood close behind him as he ordered and waited patiently while the barista prepared their order. Shortly after, the two clasped hands and walked out together," disclosed the onlooker.
Sandra Bullock and her boyfriend Bryan Randall during the "Oceans 8" world premiere on June 5, 2018 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
In 2020, Bullock became a mother again when she fostered and adopted a baby girl named Laila. The mom of two revealed to "People" that she adopted one-year-old Laila from Louisiana, who was in foster care.
Brimming with pride, Bullock said, "When I look at Laila, there's no doubt in my mind that she was supposed to be here. I can tell you; the children came to me at the exact right time."
Sandra Bullock and son Louis Bullock during the 70th Venice International Film Festival on August 27, 2013 in Venice, Italy. | Source: Getty Images
Bullock is not afraid of difficulties either, saying: "My family is blended and diverse, nutty and loving and understanding. That's family."
She has a loving man who supports her and adores all her children equally. An insider told Closer Weekly in June 2019 that "Bryan couldn't be more involved in their upbringing."
A screengrab of Sandra Bullock and her adopted daughter Laila. | Source: Facebook/RedTableTalk
They, too, love him, and to this day, their mother still cannot believe how her life turned out. The family of four prefers private time, the couple goes hiking with the kids, and they love exploring nature.
"Sandra loves being a mom, and she sees how time flies by. She doesn't want to miss a moment of this special time," the source explained.
Bullock appeared on "Live! With Kelly and Ryan" in December 2018 and revealed that she was not the cool, calm, and collected mom. She shared that as a mother, most of the time, she cries and laughs too much.
As a renowned Hollywood A-Lister, Bullock shared her children take center stage in her life. "My priorities, my kids, my kids, my kids," she emphasized.
As a mother, the Oscar winner is glad that her brood came into her life when she was at a mature stage, which is her favorite part about being a parent. "I needed to grow up. I know who I am. I know what I'm not," said Bullock.
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