Justice Amy Coney Barrett and her husband have seven kids—Emma, Vivian, Tess, John Peter, Liam, Juliet, and Benjamin—including two adopted from Haiti and a youngest son with Down syndrome.
When Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett was nominated to the nation’s highest court in 2020, the public was introduced not just to a brilliant legal mind but also to a bustling, vibrant family. As the first and only Supreme Court justice in history with school-age children, Barrett’s role as a mother to seven kids is as integral to her identity as her judicial philosophy. Her family—a blend of biological and adopted children—reflects a deep commitment to faith, service, and the belief that every child deserves a loving home.
Justice Barrett and her husband, Jesse Barrett, a lawyer and former federal prosecutor, have been married since 1999. Together, they have built a large family in South Bend, Indiana. Their kids are Emma, Vivian, Tess, John Peter, Liam, Juliet, and Benjamin. Two of their children, Vivian and John Peter, were adopted from Haiti, and their youngest son, Benjamin, has Down syndrome. The family’s story is one of profound love, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to each other.
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A Growing Family Rooted in Faith and Service
The Barretts’ journey into parenthood began with a desire to adopt internationally. Justice Amy Coney Barrett has shared that they were inspired by other couples who had adopted kids from other countries. In 2004, she and her husband visited an orphanage in Pétion-ville, a suburb of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. Moved by the country’s overwhelming poverty and the lack of basic healthcare, they decided to adopt a 14-month-old girl, whom they named Vivian. The couple chose Haiti because of its proximity to the United States, hoping they could remain involved in the country as their children grew older.
Their second adoption from Haiti came under extraordinary circumstances. After facing paperwork issues that nearly derailed their plans to adopt a boy from the same orphanage, the devastating January 2010 earthquake in Haiti prompted the State Department to lift certain paperwork requirements. This allowed the Barretts to complete the adoption of their son, John Peter, who was three years old at the time. Jesse Barrett traveled to Florida in 2010 to bring John Peter home to Indiana, where the young boy experienced the shock of his first snowy Midwest winter.
The Barrett Children: Names, Ages, and Stories
Amy Coney Barrett’s household is a lively mix of personalities and ages. Based on the most recent reports, here is a look at each of the seven kids:
Emma is the eldest. In 2023, she was reported to be 20 years old. During Barrett’s 2020 confirmation hearing, she described Emma as a sophomore in college who might follow her parents into law.
Vivian and Tess are twins, both reported to be 17 in 2023. Vivian, adopted from Haiti, is a remarkable story of triumph. When she came home at 14 months old, she weighed just 11 pounds and was so weak that doctors doubted she would ever walk or speak. Today, she is a track star who deadlifts as much as the male athletes at her gym.
John Peter (JP), adopted from Haiti after the 2010 earthquake, was 14 in 2023. He is known for his signature happy-go-lucky attitude.
Liam was 12 in 2023. His mother describes him as smart, strong, and kind, and he still loves watching movies with his parents.
Juliet was 10 in 2023. She is already an aspiring author, writing essays and short stories.
Benjamin is the youngest, reported to be 9 in 2023. He has Down syndrome and, according to his mother, is the unanimous favorite of the family.
Justice Barrett has often spoken about how her large family keeps her grounded. While she spends her days in the “marble palace” of the Supreme Court, she returns home to the realities of parenting—soccer games, grocery runs, and volunteering at her children’s school. She has also been open about the unique challenges of parenting, including the need to explain security threats, such as a bulletproof vest, to her 12-year-old son.
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Through it all, Amy Coney Barrett’s family remains a testament to the power of love, faith, and the belief that family is built not just by blood, but by choice and commitment.
