July 28, 2024 — Pau Gasol, the retired NBA All-Star, and his wife, Cat McDonnell, have shared exciting news: they are expecting their third child. The couple made the announcement on Sunday via joint posts on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, revealing that their family is set to grow.
A Growing Family
In their posts, Gasol and McDonnell showcased their current family of four, including their 1-year-old son Max and 3-year-old daughter Elisabet Gianna. The images featured the siblings sporting custom-made T-shirts that read “Big Sister” and “Big Brother,” signaling their new roles. The couple humorously captioned their posts, “New Rookie signing! Gasol starting 5, coming this fall 2024 season. 🧔🏻♂️👩🏼👧🏻👦🏼👶🏻,” highlighting their expanding family with playful sports terminology.
Celebrating Their Family’s Milestones
Gasol, 44, and McDonnell welcomed their second child, Max, in December 2022, announcing his arrival with joy in a bilingual Instagram post: “Our baby boy has arrived!!” At that time, they shared their happiness about becoming a family of four.
When their daughter Elisabet was born in September 2023, they named her in honor of Kobe Bryant’s daughter Gianna, who tragically passed away in a helicopter crash in January 2020 alongside Bryant. The Gasols also chose Vanessa Bryant, Kobe’s wife, to be Elisabet’s godmother. Gasol expressed his deep sentiment about the name in a post, stating, “Elisabet Gianna Gasol 😍, a very meaningful name for our super beautiful daughter!!”
Reflecting on Parenthood and Loss
Gasol has been open about the impact of becoming a father and the loss of his close friend Kobe Bryant. In a 2021 interview with PEOPLE, he discussed the profound effect of fatherhood on his life, noting how it had changed him for the better. “Ellie is incredible and we are looking forward to expanding our family,” Gasol said. He reflected on the challenges and joys of raising children, emphasizing the balance between family life and pursuing personal ambitions.
“Obviously, the way the accident, the tragedy, [it] was an incredibly hard hit for a lot of people, especially for the ones that love Kobe and Gigi, and obviously, the family and friends of all the seven other victims,” Gasol said, acknowledging the profound impact of Kobe’s passing on his life and the lives of many NBA stars.
Gasol’s candid reflections underscore his commitment to being present with his children while also pursuing his ambitions. “I like to be present with my children as much as I can, but I also want to do a lot of things because I have opportunities to do exceptional things. Finding that balance is going to be always the key to being able to be present and having a healthy family life and then also pursue ambitious goals outside of a family,” he added.
Looking Forward
As Pau Gasol and Cat McDonnell prepare for their third child’s arrival, their growing family continues to inspire and captivate their fans. The couple’s joy and commitment to their family are evident in their public posts and personal reflections, marking another exciting chapter in their lives.
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