Katherine Heigl’s Daughter Naleigh: The Full Story Of Her South Korean Adoption, Life At 16, And The Family’s Utah Ranch Escape

The fascinating story of Katherine Heigl and Josh Kelley's eldest daughter, Nancy Leigh Mi-Eun Kelley—affectionately known as Naleigh—continues to captivate fans as she grows up away from the Hollywood spotlight. As of December 2025, Naleigh is 16 years old, and her journey, beginning with her adoption from South Korea in 2009, remains a powerful testament to the actress’s long-held desire to build her family through adoption, a dream inspired by her own family history.

The family’s decision to adopt Naleigh, who was born with a congenital heart defect, was a deeply personal one, marking the beginning of their multicultural family of five. Her South Korean heritage and the intimate details of the adoption process have been a recurring topic of curiosity for the public, especially as Heigl transitioned from a major Hollywood star to a mother raising her children on a quiet ranch in Utah.

Katherine Heigl: A Quick Biography and Career Highlights

Katherine Marie Heigl, a Primetime Emmy Award winner and Golden Globe nominee, built a successful career in Hollywood before making a conscious shift to prioritize her family life. Her biography provides context for the personal decisions that led her to adopt Naleigh and later, her two younger children.

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• Full Name: Katherine Marie Heigl
• Born: November 24, 1978 (Age 47 as of late 2025)
• Birthplace: Washington, D.C., U.S.
• Occupation: Actress, Producer, Former Model
• Spouse: Josh Kelley (Musician, married 2007)
• Children: Nancy Leigh Mi-Eun "Naleigh" Kelley (Adopted, 16), Adalaide Marie Hope Kelley (Adopted, 13), and Joshua Bishop Kelley Jr. (Biological, 8).
• Notable Roles: Dr. Izzie Stevens in *Grey's Anatomy*, Jane Nichols in *27 Dresses*, Alison Scott in *Knocked Up*, and Tully Hart in *Firefly Lane*.
• Awards: Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (2007).
• Current Home: A family ranch in Utah, where she and Josh Kelley have embraced a quieter, "Leave It to Beaver" style of life.

Naleigh's South Korean Adoption: The Story That Changed Everything

The adoption of Nancy Leigh Mi-Eun Kelley from South Korea in September 2009 was not a spontaneous decision for Katherine Heigl and her husband, musician Josh Kelley. It was a deeply personal choice rooted in Heigl’s own family history, making the adoption process a full-circle moment for the star.

The Inspiration: Meg Heigl and the Korean Connection

Heigl’s older sister, Meg Heigl, was adopted from South Korea three years before Katherine was born. This familial experience with transnational adoption had a profound impact on Katherine, who stated that she and Josh Kelley began discussing adoption even before they were engaged in 2007. For Heigl, adoption was always an integral part of her vision for building a family.

When the couple finally decided to adopt, they specifically chose to adopt from South Korea, honoring Heigl’s sister Meg and the country's connection to their family. This decision was a deliberate step to embrace a multicultural family dynamic, which has since been a source of pride for the actress.

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The Meaning of Nancy Leigh Mi-Eun Kelley

Naleigh's full name is a blend of family heritage and cultural significance. Her nickname, Naleigh, is a portmanteau of her first and middle names, Nancy Leigh.

• Nancy: Named after Katherine’s mother, Nancy Heigl.
• Leigh: Named after Josh Kelley’s sister, Margaret Leigh.
• Mi-Eun: This is Naleigh's Korean birth name, which the couple chose to keep to honor her heritage. The name is a beautiful nod to her South Korean roots.

Adoption with Special Needs

A detail that often surfaces in the discussion of Naleigh’s adoption is that she was adopted with special needs. Naleigh was born with a congenital heart defect, which was corrected through open-heart surgery before she turned one. Heigl has been open about this, stating that she was prepared to handle a child with special needs. This aspect of the adoption further highlights the couple's commitment to their daughter, embracing her completely from the moment she joined their family at 9 months old.

Life on the Utah Ranch: Naleigh at 16 and the Kelley Family Dynamics

After years of navigating the intense scrutiny of Hollywood, Katherine Heigl and Josh Kelley made the pivotal decision to leave Los Angeles and raise their family on a sprawling ranch in Utah. This move was driven by a desire for a quieter, more grounded life for their three children: Naleigh (16), Adalaide (13), and Joshua (8).

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Naleigh's Current Life and Rare Public Appearances

Now a teenager, Naleigh is 16 years old (born November 23, 2008). She and her siblings are growing up largely out of the public eye, a stark contrast to the life of a Hollywood celebrity's child. However, when she does make a rare public appearance, such as accompanying her mother to a red carpet event or appearing on Heigl’s social media, Naleigh often "turns heads," with fans commenting on her striking resemblance to her mother and her recent "glow-up."

Heigl has frequently shared snippets of their life on the ranch, which involves raising goats, chickens, and other animals. This environment provides a sense of normalcy and connection to nature that Heigl felt was missing in Los Angeles. The actress has stated that she couldn't "fathom" swapping her Utah life for a full-time Hollywood comeback, emphasizing her commitment to her children's upbringing.

Completing the Family: Adalaide and Joshua

Naleigh’s journey was followed by two more additions to the Kelley-Heigl family. In 2012, the couple adopted their second daughter, Adalaide Marie Hope, domestically. A few years later, in 2016, they welcomed their biological son, Joshua Bishop Kelley Jr.

The family dynamic, which includes two adopted daughters (one Korean, one domestic) and one biological son, is a beautiful example of how the couple intentionally built their family. Heigl has spoken candidly about the differences in parenting adopted and biological children, noting that while the love is the same, the initial bond with Naleigh took time, which she attributes to Naleigh being older when she was adopted and Heigl feeling a need to prove herself as a mother.

Today, the family of five is thriving on their Utah ranch, with Naleigh, Adalaide, and Joshua growing up together, supported by parents who are fiercely protective of their privacy while occasionally sharing their joyous, grounded life with the world. The story of Katherine Heigl and Naleigh continues to be a powerful narrative about the beauty of adoption, the strength of familial love, and the choice to prioritize a quiet, meaningful life over the chaos of celebrity.