Rob and Renata Ford have two young children. (Getty)
Rob Ford and his wife, Renata Ford, have two children: Stephanie and Doug. His family stayed mostly out of the spotlight during their father’s many run-ins with the media, including when he admitted to smoking crack cocaine but wouldn’t resign as Mayor of Toronto. Ford decided not to run for re-election after he was hospitalized for cancer in 2014, although he did run for City Council. Who are his children?
Here’s what you need to know.
1. Rob and Renata Ford Have Two Young Children
Rob and Renata have two young children that they keep mostly out of the spotlight. Stephanie is around 10 years old and Dougie is around eight, according to Toronto Life.
2. Rob’s Mother-in-Law Called the Police in 2011, Worried He Was Going to Take the Children to Florida While Drunk
Stephanie Ford, Mayor Rob Ford’s daughter, manages the media for her dad (photo by the Sun’s Ernest Doroszuk) #TOpoli http://t.co/wPEg43pjzD
In December 2011, the police responded to one of many 911 calls that have been made about Rob over the years. Renata’s mom called from the couple’s house, worried because Rob had been drinking. He was threatening to take their two children to Florida without Renata’s permission, Toronto Life reported.
Doug Ford later said that everything had been a huge misunderstanding, and Renata’s mom recanted. Doug told the press that Rob hadn’t been drinking at all, and released photos of Rob and the kids swimming in a pool at the family’s condo near Miami. Renata wasn’t with them.
3. Rob’s Children Witnessed Many Fights Between Their Parents
Rob and Renata fought a lot, resulting in the police showing up at their household numerous times for domestic violence calls. Charges were only filed once, but later dropped due to inconsistencies in Renata’s statements.
In 2015, Rob Ford’s former chief of staff, Mark Towhey, published a book where he talked about how difficult it was to do damage control while Ford was mayor, Maclean’s reported. He wrote that in 2012, he was woken up around 2:30 a.m. by a call from his drunk boss. He said that Rob was leaving the house and wanted Towhey to witness it over the phone. Renata also sounded agitated, screaming in the background and pleading with Rob.
Towhey wrote: “I strain to hear the kids, but there’s no indication they’re there. Maybe Rob and Renata are in the basement. Maybe the kids sleep upstairs.”
The conversation went on for almost two hours, with Rob’s daughter Stephanie waking up at one point and sleepily telling her dad that everyone in the house was being good. Towhey wrote that Stephanie seemed more mature than both of her parents in that moment.
4. Rob Said It Was Very Difficult Explaining His Illness to His Kids
Rob Ford’s wife, Renata, leaves Mt. Sinai Hospital before press conference that announced the Mayor’s cancer. #TOpoli http://t.co/BgqknZxvgM
In 2015, Rob Ford said that he told his children he was going to be OK, but explaining his illness to them was very difficult, CP24 reported. He told the public that if he died before his time, he hoped others would look out for his family.
A “Get Well” webpage was created by Doug for his brother, Rob, in order to encourage him and his family. The webpage has more than 3,000 comments wishing him the best and praying for him.
5. After His Diagnosis, Rob Said His Family Were the Most Important People in His Life
Rob Ford’s son Dougie also on stage during his speech #TOpoli #fordfest http://t.co/7xnjKEqulJ
In October 2015, Rob Ford learned that his cancer had returned. He had a biopsy after being hospitalized for abdominal pain and doctors found that he had a tumor. The discovery caught him and his family off guard, CBC reported. Rob said:
If I pass before my time, I’d like to ask people to please help Dougie and Stephie and Renata in any way you can.”
