Donna Gosling is Ryan Gosling’s mother. She is from London, Ontario, Canada. She is strong, caring, and supportive. Donna brought up Ryan and his sister Mandi Gosling alone after her divorce. She has kept out of the limelight, yet her presence in Ryan’s life is extremely significant.
Quick Facts About Donna Gosling
Full Name | Donna Gosling |
Birthdate | 1955 |
Age | 70 years and 6 months old |
Occupation | Former Secretary, High School Teacher |
Husband | Thomas Ray Gosling (Divorced in 1993) |
Education | Bachelor of Education, Brock University (Graduated in 2012) |
Parents | Not Known |
Residence | Canada |
Children | Ryan Gosling (Actor), Mandi Gosling (Producer) |
Grandchildren | Esmeralda Amada Gosling, Amada Lee Gosling |
Net worth | <$1 million |
Life as a Single Mother
Donna divorced her husband, Thomas Ray Gosling, in 1993. Thomas was a traveling salesman. Donna cared for Ryan and Mandi alone after the divorce. It was tough, but she struggled to raise them.
She worked as a secretary, but subsequently quit to be home with her children full-time. When Ryan struggled in school, she stepped up and chose to homeschool him.
Homeschooling Ryan
Ryan once got suspended from school for taking steak knives to school. From then on, Donna made a drastic decision. She home-schooled Ryan and taught him at home. This changed Ryan’s life.
Ryan has said that he grew better thanks to his mom homeschooling him. He also became more confident and creative. Donna did so well that she became a real teacher later.
Becoming a Teacher
Donna never stopped learning. Even after raising her family, she returned to school. She attended Brock University and earned her Bachelor of Education in 2012. She then began as a high school teacher. Her passion for learning enabled her to have a second career.
Supporting Ryan’s Dreams
Donna always supported Ryan’s passion. She assisted him in pursuing his goals in acting and music. Even when he became a household name, she remained close to him.
She occasionally accompanies him to Hollywood parties. One entertaining moment was during the 2007 Oscars. She had a beehive hairstyle, and Ryan asked actress Meryl Streep to praise it. Donna was thrilled and enjoyed herself well.
A Fun Story from the Past
During his teenage years, he starred in a film called Frankenstein and Me. Burt Reynolds also appeared in the film. Ryan afterwards made light of the fact that Burt seemed more interested in Donna than in him. It’s something that Ryan enjoys telling and a story that indicates how special his mother is to him.
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Grandmother Life
Ryan has daughters Eva with his girlfriend Eva Mendes. They are:
- Esmeralda Amada Gosling (born in 2014
- Amada Lee Gosling (born in 2016)
Donna is now a grandmother and plays a loving role in their lives. She enjoys spending time with her granddaughters and being part of the family.
Living a Quiet Life
Although Ryan is a huge celebrity, Donna maintains a simple life. She is still residing in Canada and prefers to stay away from the limelight. She prioritizes her family and professional life. Donna never craved fame for herself. She derives her happiness from serving others and having her children happy.