Sutton Foster’s Daughter Emily Dale: 5 Fascinating Facts About Her Adoption And Life As A Broadway Mom

The world of Broadway and television star Sutton Foster is a whirlwind of Tony Awards, hit TV shows like *Younger*, and sold-out performances. Yet, for the two-time Tony winner, the most important role she has ever taken on is that of mother to her daughter, Emily Dale. As of late 2025, Foster continues to share candid, recent updates about her life as a working parent, revealing a deeply personal and often challenging journey to parenthood that has resonated with fans globally.

This article dives deep into the life of Sutton Foster’s family, focusing on the beautiful, sometimes unexpected, path she and her husband, Ted Griffin, took to welcome their only child. From the emotional adoption story to the current realities of raising a seven-year-old in the spotlight, here are the most recent and fascinating details about Sutton Foster and her daughter, Emily Dale.

Sutton Foster: A Comprehensive Biography and Profile

Sutton Lenore Foster is an American actress, singer, and dancer celebrated for her extensive work on the Broadway stage and her leading role on television. Born on March 18, 1975, in Statesboro, Georgia, her career is marked by critical acclaim and numerous accolades.

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• Full Name: Sutton Lenore Foster
• Born: March 18, 1975 (Age 50 as of December 2025)
• Birthplace: Statesboro, Georgia, U.S.
• Occupation: Actress, Singer, Dancer
• Spouse: Ted Griffin (m. 2014)
• Previous Marriage: Christian Borle (m. 2006; div. 2009)
• Child: Emily Dale Griffin (Adopted, b. March 5, 2017)
• Tony Awards: Two-time winner for Best Actress in a Musical (for *Thoroughly Modern Millie* in 2002 and *Anything Goes* in 2011). She has received a total of seven Tony Award nominations.
• Notable Broadway Roles: *Thoroughly Modern Millie*, *Anything Goes*, Princess Fiona in *Shrek the Musical*, Janet Van De Graaff in *The Drowsy Chaperone*, Marian Paroo in *The Music Man* (opposite Hugh Jackman), and Mrs. Lovett in *Sweeney Todd*.
• Notable Television Roles: Liza Miller in the TV Land series *Younger* (2015–2021).
• Published Work: Memoir titled *Hooked: How Crafting Saved My Life* (2021).

The Emotional Path to Adoption: Welcoming Emily Dale Griffin

Sutton Foster and her husband, screenwriter Ted Griffin, welcomed their daughter, Emily Dale Griffin, in 2017 via open adoption. This journey followed years of fertility struggles, which Foster has discussed openly, providing comfort and solidarity to many.

The Decision to Adopt

After experiencing the difficulty of fertility treatments, Foster and Griffin made the pivotal decision to pursue adoption. Foster has described the adoption process as a journey of "letting go and trusting" the universe.

Emily Dale was born on March 5, 2017, and her arrival was announced in April of that year, bringing immense joy to the couple. The name "Emily Dale" is a tribute to the actress's family, with Emily being her mother’s middle name and Dale being her father’s middle name.

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A Beautiful Open Adoption Relationship

A key aspect of their family life is the open adoption, which Foster has spoken about with great warmth. She has described her relationship with Emily Dale's birth mother as "beautiful" and a significant part of their extended family.

Foster emphasizes that adoption is not just about welcoming a child, but also "adopting a whole other family" and a whole other story that becomes part of their life. This philosophy highlights a modern, healthy approach to adoption that prioritizes the child’s connection to their full history.

Sutton Foster on Motherhood: Recent 2025 Reflections

In recent interviews, including those from late 2025, Sutton Foster has offered fresh and candid perspectives on balancing her demanding career with raising her daughter, who is now approximately seven years old.

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The Concept of "Mothering Herself"

One of the most profound recent insights from Foster is the idea that raising Emily has forced her to "mother herself." She explained in a 2025 interview that becoming a parent helped her recognize the importance of self-care and addressing her own needs, something she may have neglected in the past.

This realization has been a significant personal development, where the act of nurturing her daughter has led to a crucial process of self-parenting and healing, a theme that resonates deeply with her memoir, *Hooked*.

Balancing Broadway and Family Life

Working on Broadway, especially in long-running revivals like *The Music Man* and *Sweeney Todd*, requires an intense schedule. Foster has consistently spoken about the challenge of finding balance as a working mom. She often relies on her own childhood experiences, such as taking a summer road trip with Emily, to connect with her daughter and revisit her past.

Her daughter, Emily Dale, has already shown an affinity for the theatrical world. Foster shared a sweet anecdote that Emily, at five years old, was already hoping for a Broadway dressing room of her own, perhaps hinting at a future in the performing arts.

Topical Authority: Sutton Foster’s Creative Entities and LSI Keywords

To fully understand Sutton Foster's life as a mother, it is essential to recognize the creative and personal entities that define her world. These elements form the backdrop against which she raises her daughter.

The Influence of *Younger*

While Foster is primarily a Broadway legend, her role as Liza Miller in the hit TV series *Younger* introduced her to a massive new audience. The show, which ran from 2015 to 2021, allowed her to explore themes of identity, career, and aging, all while she was navigating her own journey to motherhood in real life. The show's success provided the platform for her to share her personal stories with a wider fan base.

*Hooked: How Crafting Saved My Life*

Foster's 2021 memoir, *Hooked: How Crafting Saved My Life*, is a deeply personal book that explores her life, career, and personal struggles through the lens of her passion for crafting—knitting, sewing, and making art.

The book details how crafting became a vital coping mechanism during difficult times, including her divorce and fertility struggles, which ultimately led her to the joy of adopting Emily Dale. The memoir is a testament to finding peace and self-care amidst a high-pressure career, a theme directly related to her recent reflections on "mothering herself."

The Music Man and Sweeney Todd

Her recent return to the Broadway stage in major revivals, such as playing Marian Paroo opposite Hugh Jackman in *The Music Man* and Mrs. Lovett in *Sweeney Todd*, shows her continued commitment to her craft. These demanding roles require incredible dedication, further highlighting the balance she maintains between her professional life and her role as a mother to Emily Dale.

The journey of Sutton Foster and her daughter, Emily Dale, is a powerful story of love, resilience, and the unconventional paths to building a family. Her openness about adoption and the challenges of motherhood offers an inspiring, modern narrative that continues to evolve, keeping her fans engaged and informed.