What happened to Joan Crawford's children? Inside their lives today
Joan Crawford's children had different lives after their mother's death, with paths ranging from estrangement and quiet privacy to death. Christina became an outspoken critic of Joan, while Christopher remained out of the public eye. The twins, Cathy and Cindy, led quieter lives, mostly outside Hollywood. As Christina once said,
Joan was not a star, just a mother afraid of losing her child.
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Joan Crawford adopted four children: Christina, Christopher, and the twins Cathy and Cindy.
- Christina was adopted in 1940 through a baby broker, and Christopher followed in 1942. They both later claimed Joan mistreated them.
- Cathy and Cindy were adopted as newborn twins in 1947. Their adoption was finalised after Joan married Alfred Steele, a Pepsi executive.
- Joan disinherited Christina and Christopher in her will, leaving her estate to Cathy, Cindy, and charities.
- Christopher had a difficult life marked by financial struggles and died in 2006, largely disconnected from his family.
- Cindy lived quietly and passed away from cancer in 2007, while Cathy, now living in Idaho, has defended Joan as a kind and loving mother.
Joan Crawford's children
Joan Crawford adopted four children between 1940 and 1947. They were Christina Crawford, Christopher Crawford, and twin girls Cathy and Cindy Crawford. None of the children were biologically related to Joan.
Christina was adopted first in June 1940 as an infant, followed by Christopher in 1942. Both adoptions were arranged privately, not through formal adoption agencies. The twins, Cathy and Cindy, were adopted in 1947 when Joan was married to Alfred Steele. Their adoption was finalised legally in 1948.
The children were raised in Hollywood and later in New York, where Joan balanced a demanding acting career with parenting. However, the relationship within the family was strained and became increasingly complicated in later years, particularly after Joan's death in 1977.
What happened to Joan Crawford's children?
Joan Crawford's children took different paths after her death, shaped by conflict, silence, and personal choices. Christina and Christopher became estranged and disinherited, while Cathy and Cindy maintained quieter lives. Here's what became of each child:
Christina Crawford
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Christina Crawford was Joan’s first adopted child. How old was Joan Crawford when she adopted Christina? Joan Crawford was around 35 years old when she adopted Christina Crawford in 1939. Since California denied single-parent adoption, she arranged the adoption privately in Nevada.
Christina later became widely known for her 1978 memoir Mommie Dearest, which accused Joan of abuse and strict control. The book sparked national debate and was adapted into a film in 1981, permanently altering Joan's public image.
After the book's release, Christina was largely distanced from the family. Joan had already disinherited her in her will, a move that drew further public attention. Christina has since written additional books and become an advocate for elder abuse awareness.
As of 2025, Christina is still alive and lives in Idaho. She leads a quiet life, occasionally appearing in interviews or documentaries. She never reconciled with her late siblings and stands by her account of growing up with Joan Crawford.
Christopher Crawford
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Christopher Crawford was adopted by Joan in 1942, shortly after Christina. His early years were marked by instability, including a period when his birth mother tried to reclaim him before the adoption was finalised. Like Christina, Christopher later had a strained and distant relationship with Joan.
He described Joan’s parenting as harsh and unpredictable. Christina and Christopher were disinherited in Joan's will, with a statement indicating that the exclusion was intentional.
After Joan’s death, Christopher stayed out of the public eye. He lived a relatively quiet life, working various jobs including maintenance and repair. He didn’t speak in detail about his experiences with his mother, but he confirmed he supported his sister’s version of events. Christopher died in 2006 at the age of 62.
Cathy Crawford
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Cathy Crawford, one of the American singer's adopted twin daughters, joined the family in 1947 as an infant alongside her sister, Cindy. Their adoption was finalised in 1948 during Joan's marriage to Pepsi executive Alfred Steele. Unlike Christina and Christopher, Cathy has consistently spoken positively about her upbringing.
Cathy defended Joan as a loving and attentive mother. She publicly rejected the claims made in Mommie Dearest, saying her experience with Joan was warm and supportive. Cathy and Cindy were both included in the will following Joan’s death in 1977.
Cathy later married and became Cathy LaLonde. During the 1990s, she reconnected with her biological family in Tennessee. She lived in northeastern Pennsylvania and later South Whitehall Township. She passed away on January 10, 2020, at age 72, following a six-year battle with lung cancer.
Cindy Crawford
Source: Getty Images
Cindy Crawford was Cathy's twin sister. Like Cathy, Cindy was included in Joan's will and received a portion of her estate. She stayed out of the public eye throughout her life.
While she never openly criticised or defended Joan, she remained close to Cathy and did not align with Christina's or Christopher's accounts. Cindy died of cancer in 2007.
Joan Crawford's relationships
The acclaimed actress was married four times. She was married to Douglas Fairbanks Jr. from 1929 to 1933. She then married Franchot Tone in 1935 but divorced in 1939.
Crawford's third marriage was to actor Phillip Terry in 1942. They divorced in 1939. Her final and most enduring marriage was to Alfred Steele. They married in 1955 and remained together until Steele died in 1959.
FAQs about Joan Crawford's children
- Who was Joan Crawford? Joan Crawford was a legendary American actress best known for her Oscar-winning role in Mildred Pierce.
- Who were Joan Crawford's children? Joan Crawford adopted four children: Christina, Christopher, and fraternal twins Cathy and Cynthia.
- Where are Joan Crawford's twins today? Joan Crawford’s twin daughters have passed on. Cynthia died in 2007, and Cathy passed away in 2020.
- Who was Joan Crawford married to? Joan Crawford was married four times to Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Franchot Tone, Phillip Terry, and Pepsi executive Alfred Steele.
- Did Joan Crawford disinherit any of her children? Joan Crawford disinherited Christina and Christopher from her will, stating it was for reasons well known to them.
- Is Christina Crawford still alive? Joan Crawford’s eldest daughter, Christina, is still alive and is known for writing the memoir Mommie Dearest.
- How did Joan Crawford’s children describe her parenting? Joan Crawford’s children gave mixed accounts—Christina and Christopher alleged abuse, while Cathy and Cynthia described her as a loving, strict mother.
Final word
Joan Crawford's children each carried a different version of her legacy. She adopted four children, Christina, Christopher, Cathy, and Cindy, but only Cathy survives today. While Christina and Christopher spoke of neglect and abuse, Cathy remembered Joan as a devoted mother.
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Proofreading by Masolo Mabonga, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
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